Japan: Approves Proposed tax Reforms
The National Diet has passed the proposed 2015 tax reforms and circulated the amended tax laws on 31 March 2015 with minor changes. From 1 April 2015, the corporation tax rate will be reduced to 23.9%. The effective rate for large companies is
See MoreVietnam: Publishes Decree No. 12 on corporate income tax
Decree No. 12/2015/ND-CP (Decree 12), on the implementation of Law No. 71/2014/QH13 dated 26 November 2014 was issued on 12 February 2015. Decree 12, which is effective from 1 January 2015, supplements and amends a number of tax laws. The main
See MoreEuropean Commission Presents Tax Transparency Package
On 18 March 2015 the European Commission issued a range of measures aimed at tacking corporate tax avoidance and harmful tax competition. Corporate tax avoidance distorts economic decisions and prevents fair competition. The complexity of tax rules
See MoreECJ requested to give a preliminary ruling on pension surtax
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) was requested by Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court (KOH) on 6 March 2015 to give a preliminary ruling in respect of the pension surtax. Finland has imposed a surtax of 6% on large pensions since 2013. The
See MoreECJ: Preliminary ruling in case on VAT exemption for welfare and social work
On 12 March 2015 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave its preliminary ruling in the case of “go fair” Zeitarbeit OHG (C-594/13). The ECJ had been requested by the German Bundesfinanzhof to respond to questions in respect of the VAT exemption
See MoreECJ rules on applicability of national procedures in abusive practices
On 12 February 2015 the European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave a preliminary ruling on a value added tax (VAT) case that had been referred to it by the Portuguese Supreme Administrative Tribunal. The question raised In the case of Surgicare - Unidades
See MoreUK issues VAT instructions following the Skandia judgment
On 10 February 2015 the UK tax authority HMRC issued Revenue and Customs Brief 2 (2015) on VAT grouping rules and the Skandia judgment. Skandia was a US corporation with a branch in Sweden. The branch in Sweden became part of a Swedish VAT group
See MoreEgypt: IMF recommends introduction of a full VAT system
Following consultations in Egypt under Article IV of its articles of agreement the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reported that measures implemented have begun to produce a turnaround in the economic situation in Egypt after the years of
See MoreIMF reports on Costa Rican economy
The IMF has concluded its discussions with Costa Rica under Article IV and issued a report on 4 February 2015. Costa Rica currently has problems of weak growth and rising unemployment. The IMF is recommending budget consolidation to improve the
See MoreIreland: VAT Rates on Stock Exchange Fees
The tax authority of Ireland, the Revenue Commissioners, has updated Part 5.69 of its value-added tax (VAT) manual to explain the VAT treatment related to stock exchange fees. The guidance contains fees for firms trading securities on the Irish
See MoreSlovak Republic: Proposal for VAT due on payment from customer
A pending proposal regarding the time when the VAT is to be remitted would revise in Slovak Republic. So VAT would be due at the time of customer payment received. It would affect when an input VAT deduction claim could be made. It is expected that
See MoreSouth Africa: Transfer Pricing Adjustments Regarding Withholding Tax Obligations
Under the income tax act, section 31(3), South Africa provide that any adjusted amount for transfer pricing and thin capitalization purposes, prior to 1 January 2015, constituted a deemed loan. The adjusted amount plus interest deemed to have
See MoreIndonesia: Plans to Introduce VAT on E-Commerce
The Finance Minister of Indonesia has confirmed their plan to introduce value-added tax (VAT) on e-commerce. In order to implement this plan, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has been asked to prepare regulations to tax
See MoreIMF Comments on Senegal’s Economic Plans
The IMF Country Report No 15/2 issued in January 2015 concerned the annual bilateral discussions with Senegal and includes a staff report by the IMF team and a debt sustainability analysis. The IMF notes that Senegal is committed to implementing the
See MoreECJ rules in case concerning VAT on letting of immovable property
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on 22 January 2015 in the case of Regie Communal Autonome du Stade Luc Varenne v Etat Belge. A preliminary question had been put to the ECJ concerning VAT on leasing of immovable property. This case
See MoreECJ: Advocate General’s opinion on X AB Case
The Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued an opinion on 22 January 2015 in the case of X AB v Skatteverket. In this case the Supreme Administrative Court of Sweden had asked the ECJ for a preliminary ruling on whether
See MorePhilippines: Personal income tax reforms
The Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) has raised a concern to revamp the Personal Income tax threshold and tax brackets. To ensure secure revenue collection levels, TMAP has recommended a raise on Personal Income Tax (PIT) exempt
See MoreBelgium Federal Budget for 2015
Recently, the Belgian Government was gazettes the following federal end of year tax measures for corporate income tax in the State Gazette: Changes regarding Corporate income tax: The corporate income tax exemption for communal joint-venture
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