Tanzania: Budget 2016/17 regarding direct taxation

10 June, 2016

The Finance and Planning Minister has presented the Budget for 2016/17 to the National Assembly on 8th June 2016. The proposed measures related to direct taxation are summarized below: Corporate taxation Withholding tax on payments made to

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Oman: Corporate tax rate to be increased for liquefied natural gas and mining companies

06 June, 2016

The State Council and the Shura Council on 26 May 2016 approved the increase of the corporate tax rate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies to 55%. The council also approved the increase of the corporate tax rate on petrochemical and mining

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UK: Proposed tax on sugary drinks criticized by pressure group

31 May, 2016

As part of the budget proposals for 2016 the UK announced a proposal to impose a tax on sugary drinks with effect from April 2018. This would apply to soft drinks with sugar content above a certain level and would be imposed on the manufacturers of

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UK: Consultation on secondary adjustments in transfer pricing legislation

27 May, 2016

On 26 May 2016 the UK has published a consultation document on the possible introduction of secondary adjustments into the UK transfer pricing legislation. This would in the opinion of the UK government help to ensure taxpayer compliance with the

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Chile: Government declares a bill to boost productivity

12 May, 2016

The Ministry of Finance declared on 6th May 2016 that the government had approved a bill to increase productivity. Tax measures contain: Expand the definition of export services to incorporate further services for VAT exemption upon

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IMF report comments on economic position of the United Arab Emirates

11 May, 2016

On 9 May 2016 the IMF issued a report following the conclusion of discussions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The IMF comments that the UAE is in a good position to face the oil price shock

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ECJ ruling on VAT on immovable property

07 May, 2016

On 28 April 2016 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave its preliminary ruling in the case Staatssecretaris van Financiën v. Het Oudeland Beheer BV . The case had been referred to the ECJ by the Hoge Raad der Nederlanden (Netherlands Supreme

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Kazakhstan: MoJ approves plans to consolidate tax code and customs code

20 April, 2016

The Ministry of Justice has approved plans on 5th April 2016 that are aimed at consolidating the Tax Code and the Customs Code into one single code. Note that, Kazakhstan became a member of the WTO on 30 November 2015. These plans will be effective

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Japan approves tax reforms for 2016

31 March, 2016

The parliament (National Diet) on 29 March 2016 passed the tax reform  for 2016. The main changes are set out below: Corporate income tax: The main corporation tax rate is to be reduced to 23.4% from 23.9% for taxable years beginning on or after 1

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Singapore: Finance Minister presents the 2016 budget to Parliament

30 March, 2016

The Budget for 2016 was presented to Parliament by the Finance Minister on 24 March 2016. A summary of the Budget with regard to corporate taxation is set out below: Tax incentives: -Under the Productivity and Innovation (PIC) Scheme the cash

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UK: HMRC Clarifies Gift Aid Rules

24 March, 2016

HMRC has clarified aspects of the rules for UK tax relief for individuals under the Gift Aid provisions. Under these provisions tax relief may be claimed when an individual donor who pays tax in the UK makes a donation, even if the donor includes a

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UK budget announcements 2016

16 March, 2016

The UK budget announcements for 2016/17 were delivered on 16 March 2016. The Chancellor announced a business tax road map that is intended to support investment while continuing to crack down on avoidance and aggressive tax planning. Corporation

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ECJ: preliminary ruling on interest on VAT refund

08 February, 2016

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave a preliminary ruling on 21 October 2015 in the Kovozber case. Reference had been made to the ECJ by the Regional Court of Kosice (Slovak Republic) for a ruling on the following issues: 1. Should the first

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Canada: Tax measures regarding New Brunswick’s 2016 budget

03 February, 2016

The 2016-17 provincial budget of New Brunswick which was presented on 2nd February 2016.  It includes measures as follows: The province’s rate of harmonized sales tax (HST) has increased from 13% to 15%; Increase the corporate income tax rate

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ECJ: Advocate General’s Opinion on Surtax on Large Pensions

31 January, 2016

On 28 January 2016, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued an opinion in Case C involving a supplementary tax on large pensions. The case was referred to the ECJ by the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland. The

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ECJ: Ruling on VAT exemption for serviced residence

29 January, 2016

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued a decision in the case of Les Jardins de Jouvence SCRL v. Belgian State on 21 January 2016. An application was made in July 2014 by the Court of Appeal in Mons for a preliminary ruling from the ECJ. This

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ECJ: Advocate General issues opinion in BRE Ubezpieczenia case

08 January, 2016

The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued an opinion on 23 December 2015 in the case of Minister Finansow v BRE Ubezpieczenia Sp z.o.o. This case concerned a Polish insurance company (Aspiro) that provided insurance services

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UK: Memorandum of Understanding on Northern Ireland Corporation Tax

08 January, 2016

A Memorandum of Understanding on the Northern Ireland Corporation Tax (NICT) was published by HMRC and the Department of Finance and Personnel for Northern Ireland (DFPNI) on 7 January 2016. The transfer to the Northern Ireland Assembly of the

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