Israel: 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
See MoreEU: European Commission proposes stronger cooperation on VAT
Recently, the European Commission began consultations with Russia and Norway on administrative cooperation agreements in the area of Value Added Tax (VAT). The aim of the agreements is "to establish a framework of mutual assistance in combatting
See MoreArgentina reduces Tobacco Tax rate for the year 2014
Under Decree No 111/2014 of January 29, 2014, Argentina is keeping cigarillo excise duties at 7 percent, instead of the usual 21 percent rate. The reduced rate is applicable with retroactive effect from January 1, 2014, and is scheduled to expire on
See MoreGermany and EU Redesigning Energy Tax Rebate
The Federation of German Industry has said a quick resolution is expected in talks between Germany and the European Union concerning Germany's renewable energy tax rebate on offer to energy-intensive companies in Germany. The Commission is
See MorePhilippines Business Requests Elimination of Aviation Fuel Tax
The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) have requested that the Government cuts the excise tax on aviation fuel for international carriers, after a Supreme Court (SC) decision to cancel refunds had effectively imposed higher taxation. In
See MoreECJ: Deduction of input VAT on pension fund management costs
In a Revenue and Customs Brief HMRC has set out its position on VAT on pension fund management costs. This follows decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the case of Fiscale Eenheid PPG Holdings BV regarding an employer's entitlement to
See MoreRomania: Foreign energy traders are now permitted to reclaim input VAT
The European Court of Justice has ruled that foreign energy traders in Romania are now permitted to reclaim input VAT incurred through the EU’s 8th Directive. This follows Romania’s withdrawal of the requirement for VAT registrations on
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