WTO panel to negotiate in China-Canada dumping dispute
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has established a panel to judge in a dispute between Canada and China over anti-dumping duties imposed by China on 10th March 2015. Canada made complain to the WTO that they place Canadian exporters of cellulose
See MoreIMF Releases Preliminary Findings from Visit to Bangladesh
An IMF mission to Bangladesh between 25 February and 10 March 2015 held discussions relating to the review of the three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF). In its preliminary findings the IMF reports that the recent economic policies pursued in
See MoreJapan: Trade review carried out by World Trade Organization
On 9 and 11 March 2015 the World Trade Organization (WTO) is conducting a trade review of Japan. The WTO Secretariat has prepared a report in connection with this review and this has been published on the WTO website. Japan has since 2012 been
See MoreUK: Consultation on Hybrid Mismatch Arrangements
An issue that is ongoing but will not be included in the UK Finance Bill 2015 is the introduction of measures to combat hybrid mismatch arrangements. A consultation on the subject was announced in October 2014 and in December 2014 a consultation
See MoreOECD study on the distributional effects of consumption taxes
A study recently released by the OECD on the distributional effects of consumption taxes in OECD countries is a result of a joint venture between the OECD and the Korean Institute of Public Finance. Recent OECD research has shown that there are
See MoreOECD publishes latest study on consumption tax trends
The latest edition of the OECD study on consumption tax trends has been published. The OECD study covers the general taxes on goods and services such as VAT and sales tax plus the taxes on specific goods and services such as insurance premium tax,
See MoreSouth Africa: Proposal to ChangeTransfer Pricing Documentation and CFC Rules
The South African Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene proposed new transfer pricing documentation and reporting rules and proposed to revise controlled foreign company (CFC) rules relating to the digital economy, in his budget speech for 2015. The
See MoreIMF-JICA conference supports inclusive growth for Asian frontier and developing economies
The third conference held by the IMF and JICA (the Japan International Cooperation Agency) has discussed the participation of frontier and developing countries in Asia in economic growth. In his opening remarks the deputy managing director of the
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 MoreOECD holds webcast to provide updates on the BEPS project
On 12 February 2015 the OECD held a webcast to update interested parties on the progress made in the action plan on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). The OECD and G20 countries have agreed on three elements that will enable implementation of
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 MoreOECD publishes comments received on limiting base erosion through financial payments
On 11 February 2015 the OECD published on its website comments received from interested parties in respect of the discussion draft on interest deductions and other financial payments, corresponding to action 4 of the OECD/G20 action plan on base
See MoreOECD publishes comments received on transfer pricing aspects of commodity transactions
The OECD has published on its website comments received on the discussion draft on the transfer pricing aspects of cross border commodity transactions. This was issued as part of the response to action 10 of the base erosion and profit shifting
See MoreOECD publishes comments received on draft changes to the transfer pricing guidelines
On 10 February 2015 the OECD published comments received in respect of the discussion draft on changes to the OECD guidelines and other special measures that could be taken in respect of transfer pricing issues raised by actions 8, 9 and 10 of the
See MoreIndia: Amendments to Transfer Pricing Guidelines Issued
The Central Board of Direct Taxes released amendments to the transfer pricing guidelines on 4 February 2015. The “simplified” transfer pricing documentation rules were released by a notification dated 4 February 2015 for domestic transactions of
See MoreOECD to present BEPS action plan developments to the G20 Finance Ministers
The OECD is to give a presentation on the project on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) to the G20 Finance Ministers when they meet on 9 and 10 February 2015. The OECD has agreed with the G20 countries on three important elements that will move
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
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