Germany and the EU Agree Energy Tax Break Revision
Germany is being allowed by the European Commission to continue to give energy tax incentives to 65 sectors under the renewable energy tax rules. There has been a long discussion as to whether the measures constitute illegal state aid under EU
See MoreEU – VAT refund claims are due by 30 June 2014
Businesses incurring costs in many EU countries may recover the VAT on those costs even if they are not registered for VAT in that particular country. In many of the EU jurisdictions there is a 30 June deadline in any year for making the reclaim.
See MoreEU – Changes to VAT place-of-supply rules in 2015
There will be a change to the EU VAT place-of-supply rules, which determine where VAT is collected and remitted for some types of service, with effect from 1 January 2015. This change will affect businesses providing services such as
See MoreEU Tackles Single Market Tax Obstacles
The European Commission has begun two public consultations, on discriminatory tax rules that my affect the position of individuals in European Union (EU) member states. These consultations are aim to help efforts to take away tax obstacles to
See MoreEU: Court of Justice decision affecting US regulated investment companies
On 10 April 2014, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in case C-190/12 concerning the Emerging Markets Series of DFA Investment Trust Company. The CJEU held that barring a non-EU investment fund, in this case a US investment
See MoreOECD – Update on transfer pricing documentation
The OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration held a webcast on 2 April 2014 at which an update was provided on the progress of aspects of the action plan on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). The update covers the issues of transfer
See MoreIreland – Taxation of Termination Payments Challenged
European Commission has requested Ireland to change its legislation on termination payments paid to individuals when their employment contracts end, as the Commission is of the opinion that the Irish rules are a restriction on the free movement of
See MoreEU – 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 MoreOECD – New Information Exchange Standard Gains Support
The European Council has encouraged some European countries to move quickly to make a commitment to the global standard for automatic tax information exchange. These countries are to implement the standard at an early stage. Also, Austria and
See MoreOECD – Digital Economy Review May Hit Ireland Hardest
As part of the action plan on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) the OECD has produced a discussion draft on the tax consequences of the digital economy. The professional body Chartered Accountants Ireland has suggested that the proposed
See MoreOECD – Discussion draft on digital economy (BEPS action plan)
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued a discussion draft on Action Item 1 (Tax Challenges of the Digital Economy) of the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) Action Plan. The BEPS Action Plan Item 1 aims to
See MoreOECD Digital Economy Review may affect Ireland
Proposals in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) discussion draft on digital taxation, that would change the way high-tech multinational companies are taxed, will only benefit large countries with large markets,
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 MorePoland – New guidelines concerning transfer pricing regulations on business restructuring
Poland has prepared guidance on some questions arising from the issue of transfer pricing regulations last year. The guidance is generally based on OECD principles. Under the guidance the expression “business restructuring” is defined as the
See MoreOECD – Discussion draft on neutralizing hybrid mismatch arrangements (BEPS)
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has issued discussion drafts in connection with Action Item 2 of the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) Action Plan. This action item is concerned with ways to legislate against
See MoreOECD – Discussion draft on digital economy tax challenges (BEPS)
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has released a discussion draft on Action Item 1 (Tax Challenges of the Digital Economy) of the Action Plan on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). The press release explains that
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 More