EU – VAT guidance for e-services rule changes effective in 2015
The European Commission has issued guidance to help businesses cope with for the new value added tax (VAT) rules for in respect of e-services including telecom, broadcasting, and electronic services. The changes to the place of supply rules are to
See MoreEU Probes French Energy Tax Breaks
The European Commission is looking at the French tax decreases granted to the large energy consumers and consulting other interested parties on the matter. The tax reductions have been granted to reduce the amount of the renewable energy surcharges
See MoreLuxembourg supports revised Savings Tax Directive
The EU has adopted the revised Savings Tax Directive, strengthening the efforts to combat cross-border tax evasion by exchanging information on savings income. The revised text extends the scope of the Directive more entities and types of income
See MoreEU – Expanded scope of Savings Taxation Directive
According to information released on 21 March 2014 the European Council has given the go ahead to the amended Savings Tax Directive. Luxembourg agreed to the proposed changes and this removed the final obstacle to the adoption of the revised
See MoreEU Report Tracks Protectionist Trade Measures
The European Commission has issued the latest edition of the publication entitled Trade and Investment Barriers Report (TIBR). This looks at the amount of progress made in removing barriers to trade by local companies with third countries and
See MoreEU Leaders Reach Deal on Savings Tax Directive
The revised Savings Tax Directive has been formally adopted by the EU member states. This amended Directive helps to combat tax evasion by increasing the scope of automatic tax information exchange in respect of savings income, thereby helping to
See MoreIsrael: VAT Position of Foreign E-retailers
Non-resident retailers of goods and digital services to Israeli consumers will remain outside of the Israeli VAT net. This is the result of a decision of the High Court that has struck down a petition from local online retailers that E-retailers
See MoreEU – Frequently asked questions on EU Savings Taxation Directive
Recently the European Commission provided a discussion of frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning the EU Savings Taxation Directive. The Savings Directive aims to address cross-border tax evasion by creating an information exchange system for
See MoreEU – Status update of financial transaction tax
The European Commission on 5 March 2014 posted an update of the status of the proposed financial transaction tax. According to the Commission a February 2013 proposal for “enhanced cooperation” reflected the scope and objectives of original
See MoreEU – Excise tax rates for alcohol, tobacco and energy for 2014
Recently, the European Commission posted updated (as of 1 January 2014) indirect tax rates for excise duties on alcohol, tobacco, and energy. Updated rates are available on the EC
See MoreEU – European Commission Looks At Green Tax Options
An increase in taxes on the causes of air and water pollution in the European Union could generate revenues of EUR35bn (USD47.2bn) in real terms in 2016 alone, the European Commission has claimed in a new report. A new study from the European
See MoreEU – European Commission takes action to close the gender pay gap
On 8th March, 2014 the European Commission adopted a Recommendation asking Member States to improve pay transparency for women and men in a bid to help close the gender pay gap. The pay gap – the average difference between women and men’s hourly
See MoreSpain – CJEU finds Retail sales tax on diesel contrary to EU law
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has issued a judgment in the case of:Transportes Jordi Besora SL v. Generalitat de Catalunya, C-82/12 ruling that the Spanish tax on retail sales of diesel and petrol is contrary to EU law. The CJEU
See MoreAustria: Information regarding intangible property and financial services
From 1st March 2014, interest and royalty payments to certain related parties are not deductible for tax purposes if the recipient corporation is not subject to tax due to an exemption; is subject to a nominal or specific tax rate of less than 10%
See MoreEU: Comments on global standard against tax evasion
The European Commission has issued a statement in support of an agreement by the G20 Finance Ministers on a new global standard to counter tax evasion and to improve tax transparency worldwide. The release states that the European Commission
See MoreEU Seeks to resume talks on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with Egypt
The EU remains willing to re-launch talks with Egypt on concluding a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The EU ambassador confirmed that the European Union aims to begin negotiations with Egypt on widening the free trade agreement
See MoreEU – Court Rules on Hungarian Retail Tax
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that Hungary's retail tax, which imposes a rate based on "consolidated turnover," is disadvantageous to companies that are part of a group of "linked" businesses and discriminatory if in practice applies
See MoreEuropean Commission reports on administrative cooperation and combating fraud in the field of VAT
On 12 February 2014, the European Commission adopted two reports related to fighting Value Added Tax (VAT) fraud within the EU. The reports outline possible ways of improving procedures for dealing with this problem. The first report looks at VAT
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