EU – Customs tariff duties suspension on industrial and agricultural products
The European Commission has issued a notice to economic operators in relation to the suspension of autonomous common customs tariff duties on certain industrial and agricultural products. A list of the products affected by the measure is available
See MoreEU Member States React To EU FTT Declaration
Some EU member states have commented on the intention of a number of member states to go ahead with the introduction of a financial transactions tax (FTT) under the EU’s enhanced cooperation provisions. The member states that are not participating
See MoreTurkey: Improves VAT compliance procedures
Turkey is to make a number of changes aimed at improving the value added tax (VAT) compliance regime. These changes include the possibility for large taxable persons to receive VAT refunds faster. the VAT legislation is to be consolidated into a
See MoreSouth Africa Consults on Alcoholic Beverage Taxes
South Africa has issued a discussion paper for comment on taxation of alcoholic drinks. This document looks at the issue of whether a uniform tax should be imposed on alcoholic drinks rather than a separate excise duty for different types of
See MoreEU – Update on financial transaction tax
The ECOFIN Council, consisting of economic and finance ministers of EU countries, has looked at a proposal for a financial transaction tax (FTT) directive. The member states involved in the measure want to implement a revised version of their
See MoreEU – European Bankers Warn Of FTT Fallout
The European Banking Federation (EBF) considers that the introduction of a financial transaction tax (FTT) by some European Union member states will create uncertainty for business in the whole EU. Even if the FTT is implemented by only some of the
See MoreEU To Reduce Bureaucracy for Trade Sanctions
The European parliament has given its approval to new rules that will permit a rise in customs duties on the EU’s trading partners by means of an executive decision. This will enable the Commission to more efficiently enforce EU rights under
See MoreEU Member States Criticized for Lack of Transparency in FTT
At the EU’s ECOFIN meeting of economic and financial ministers on 6 May 2014 a joint statement was issued by ten of the member states that are going ahead with the financial transactions tax (FTT) In all, eleven EU member states have decided to
See MoreEU Emissions Trading Changes Extended To EFTA
A new regulation has been inserted into the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreement to incorporate changes already made under the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme. The changes were originally put through by the EU in April 2013 to ensure
See MoreEU: CJEU dismisses UK’s challenge to EU Financial Transaction Tax
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has dismissed an attempt by the UK to challenge the legality of the Council decision of 22 January 2013 in respect of enhanced cooperation by a group of EU member states to introduce a financial
See MoreMexico – VAT certification by maquiladoras
The maquiladora regime provides some favorable tax provisions but caution is needed with administrative procedures in respect of VAT. As a result of changes introduced in the 2014 tax reform maquiladoras must take certain actions to ensure they are
See MoreTurkey: threatens 38% VAT on Twitter ads
Turkey’s Finance Ministry suggests that VAT on domestic advertising should be doubled from 18% to 36%. This would recover some local tax revenues from non-resident social networking sites that otherwise pay little tax in the country. Other
See MoreTanzania: Reconsiders gas windfall tax proposal
Tanzania may decide against a windfall tax on production, which had been considered as part of the National Natural Gas Policy (NNGP). It is now considered that a windfall tax might not be appropriate in the initial stages of natural gas extraction,
See MoreSwitzerland – New VAT registration requirements on foreign companies
Switzerland is planning to require non-resident companies that provide services in Switzerland to charge Swiss VAT on the services at a rate of 8%. There is a need for all foreign service providers to comply with this requirement so that Swiss
See MorePoland – Reduction of VAT by 2017
In Poland the government intends to raise the standard rate of VAT again by 2017. The standard rate has already been raised to 23% from January 2011 as a consequence of the financial crisis. Although Poland did not undergo a recession after the
See MorePhilippines May Exempt Humanitarian Relief from VAT
Bill 4054 in the Philippines would provide for a VAT exemption for medical and educational goods that are imported into the country as a result of donations from abroad, and would also introduce a similar VAT exemption for goods donated from abroad
See MoreEuropean Commission Asks Hungary to End Excise Restrictions
Hungary has been asked by the European Commission to change the excise rates currently charged on liquor and tobacco products. The structure of alcohol duties within the EU has been harmonized by an EU Directive and member states must therefore
See MoreEU Joint TP Forum Publishes Member States’ Profiles
The European Union Joint Transfer Pricing Forum (JTPF) has issued descriptions of the transfer pricing systems of European Union (EU) member states in a standardized form, giving relevant information on aspects of the transfer pricing rules and tax
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