Azerbaijan: approves tax code amendments to introduce excise tax and to set new tax rates
The Parliament of Azerbaijan has approved amendments of tax code introducing excise tax on precious metals, and setting new tax rates for imported cars, imported yachts, and domestically produced alcohol and tobacco. As per legislation, excise on
See MoreMexico: Developments of non-oil tax revenue
The Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP) recently released statistics about Mexico's non-oil tax revenues. According to the statistics non-oil tax revenue reached MXN1.65 trillion in the time period of January to November of 2014 from the
See MoreUK: Stamp Duty Reforms on Residential Property
UK has cut stamp duty for the majority of homebuyers to make it fairer. The new rules have started on 4 December 2014. This change applies to people those who are buying a home in the UK for over £125,000. Under the old rules, it would have been
See MoreDubai and China: first Chinese issuer to list a bond on an exchange in the Middle East
China has issued an RMB 1bn three-year bond on NASDAQ Dubai. The Agriculture Bank of China (ABC), China's third largest bank by assets, became the first Chinese issuer to list a bond on an exchange in the Middle East. The Emirate's stylish financial
See MoreVenezuela: President signs off on tax increases
In order to increase and diversify government revenue, Venezuela`s President has accepted tax increases on 18th November 2014. 28 laws have been passed to incorporate an increment in the excise duty for buying luxury goods from 10% to 15%. This
See MoreVenezuela: Amendments contain income tax and VAT
The president has declared the enactment of a series of laws to notice the economic development in Venezuela on 18th November 2014. These laws includes the following tax related items: Income tax reformation to raise tax collection via the
See MoreEuropean Commission Proposals for the Future of VAT in the EU
The European Commission issued a paper on 30 October 2014 outlining ideas on creating a more effective VAT system that is more in line with the objectives of the single market in the EU. The intention is to create the definitive VAT regime that will
See MoreSpain Launches New Deferral Import Regime for 2015
Spain is set to launch an important import VAT postponement regime which will offer importers major cash-flow incentives. The new scheme should come into force from 2015. According to this regime, which is totally new in Spain, certain VAT taxpayers
See MoreGermany: Receives tax warning from EU on the discriminatory taxation of legacies to foreign charities
Germany receives tax caution from EU on the discriminatory taxation to foreign charities. The European Commission warns Germany to amend the discriminatory taxation of legacies to foreign charities as the commission observes that it creates an
See MoreEuropean Commission warns Romania on taxation of foreign companies
The European Commission has formally asked Romania to stop the discriminatory tax treatment of foreign legal entities. According to Romanian present tax law, resident legal companies can deduct business expenses related to generating interest
See MoreSpanish Tax Scheme For Foreign Acquisitions Is Incompatible, Says EU
The European Commission has reported that a new interpretation of a Spanish tax scheme benefiting companies acquiring foreign shareholdings is incompatible with European state aid rules. Spanish current scheme allows companies to deduct the
See MoreGreek Tax Provisions has been challenged by European Union
It was asked by the European Commission to end the Greek discriminatory taxation of foreign-flagged ships and amend legislation on duty-free service stations. Greek-flagged ships and certain vessels managed from Greece are exempt from income tax as
See MoreEuropean Union adds VAT on banking and insurance financial services group charges
On 17 September 2014, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in the Skandia America Corporation vs Swedish tax authorities case that recharges of bought-in costs or provided by financial services group companies to their branches and subsidiaries
See MoreEU-Ukraine Association Agreement Ready To Ratify
The technical preparation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement for its subsequent ratification by parliament will be completed in the near future, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said. Both sides will progressively establish a free trade area
See MoreCzech Republic – Excise duty on diesel and VAT on electronic services
Changes to the tax procedure and rules income tax law have passed through the first reading. At the third reading, the Chamber of Deputies has approved the following things: By re-initiating “green” diesel oil, an amendment has used to the
See MoreUkraine: Certain corporate income tax incentives to be abolished
The Ukraine parliament adopted the Law No.4309A, on 31 July 2014 which was issued on 21 July 2014, with eliminating certain corporate income tax incentives. The main abolished incentives are summarized below: limiting privileged corporate income
See MoreCzech Republic: Excise duty on cigarette raised to EU minimum
The Czech Republic has approved legislation increasing the excise duty on cigarettes by CZK3-4 to bring its rates into line with EU law. It was prescribed that from January 1, 2014, the overall excise duty (excluding VAT) on cigarettes shall stand
See MoreSwitzerland: Threatens to raise carbon tax
Switzerland’s carbon tax would jump up toCHF72 per ton from 2016, which is currently iCHF60 (USD67) per ton , if the power-related emissions of this year do not fall down to 76% of 1990 levels. If the emissions only fall to 78% of the baseline
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