World Tax Brief: August 2015
China Incentives for Small enterprises - China's State Council decided on August 19 to improve and extend the tax breaks available for small and micro enterprises. Small and low-profit enterprises are subject to enterprise income tax on 50% of
See MoreNigeria: Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance on tax matters entered into force
As amended by the 2010 protocol, the multilateral agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance regarding tax matters has been entered into force on 1st September 2015 in Nigeria and it generally applies from 1st January
See MoreGreece: Income Tax Law Amendments Published in the Official Gazette
Greece published the amended income tax law in the official Gazette on 14 August 2015. Law 4334/2015 makes amendments which have immediate effect. The 2% discount granted in case of lump-sum payment of personal income tax (including business tax
See MoreUAE: MoF declares a statement regarding VAT and Corporate tax
The Finance Ministry (MoF) of United Arab Emirates has published an official statement on 18th August 2015 regarding Value Added Tax (VAT) proposal and the possible Corporate Tax (CT) outline. The UAE has completed a treaty to implement VAT with the
See MoreUK: HMRC issues updated guidance on accelerated payments
On 20 August 2015 the UK tax authority HMRC published on its website a fact sheet containing updated information on the requirement to make accelerated payments in connection with tax avoidance schemes. A tax avoidance scheme is defined for this
See MoreIndia: Interest on tax refund taxable as business income under the India-UK tax treaty
Recently, the High Court in the case of B.J. Services Company Middle East Limited held that the interest earned on an income tax refund is taxable as business income under the India-UK tax treaty where the debt claim in respect of which interest
See MoreChina: Tax incentives for small and low-profit enterprises
On August 19, State Council of China decided to improve the tax breaks available for small and low-profit enterprises. Small and low-profit enterprises can pay their income taxes at the rate of 20% with following conditions: any industrial
See MoreUK: Film tax credit gains EU approval
The UK’s enhanced tax relief for film production has gained EU approval under its State aid rules. This enhanced 25% film tax credit was announced in the pre-election budget in March 2015 subject to approval by the EU. A film can claim the tax
See MoreUK: taxation of dividend income of individuals
On 17 August 2015 the UK tax authority HMRC issued a fact sheet explaining the new rules for taxation of dividends received by individuals. With effect from April 2016 the current dividend tax credit is to be scrapped and a dividend allowance of
See MoreAustralian Taxation Office releases GAAR guidelines
The Australian Taxation Office released for comment a draft practice statement PS LA 2005/24 which deals with the application of the general anti-avoidance rules (GAAR) in Part-IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 on 13 August 2015. This Draft
See MoreBulgaria-Greece: Tax dispute established
Bulgaria has greeted a pledge from Greece to revoke its tax withheld on Greek business transactions in Bulgaria. Prior this year, Bulgaria had requested that the European Commission challenge Greece's decision to announce a 26% withholding tax on
See MoreUK: Increase in tax cases going to litigation
The number of tax disputes going to litigation in the UK has hit record levels, with the number of tax cases waiting to go to a tribunal more than doubling over the last five years. The statistics for 2014 show that there were 29.566 appeals to the
See MoreSingapore: Corporate Tax Filing for 2015
The Inland Revenue of Singapore (IRAS) has reminded all companies to file their income tax returns for the 2015 assessment year by 30 November 2015. This is the first year that all companies in Singapore have the e-filing facility. All companies are
See MoreCosta Rica Introduces arm’s length price principle
The Bill No. 19,679 dated 12 August 2015 was submitted to the Legislative Assembly to introduce the arm's length principle to further develop the transfer pricing rules via regulations. The Bill No. 19,679 dated 12 August 2015 was submitted to the
See MoreTreaty between Argentina and Chile – Chilean guidelines issued on treatment of shipping companies following termination of treaty
The tax authority of Chile issued Order No. 1757(the Order) on 6 July 2015 according to which Chilean shipping companies are obliged to pay income tax under the provisions of article 59 of the Income Tax Law whenever operating with Argentina. Also
See MoreUK: Capital gains tax treatment of carried interest
Legislation was included in the Summer Finance Bill 2015 published on 15 July 2015 to make technical changes to the capital gains tax treatment of carried interest. A summary of the changes was issued by the UK tax authority HMRC on 20 July
See MoreBrazil: Presents new proposal on taxation for financial firms and interest on net equity
Brazilian Senator presented a report on the analysis of Provisional Measure 675 (MP 675) regarding new social contribution on net profits (CSLL) rate and elimination of interest on net equity on 12 August 2015. MP 675: Tax rate (CSLL) increased
See MoreChile: IRS issues guidelines regarding anti-avoidance rules
The Inland Revenue Service (IRS) in Chile has issued total 7 circulars including Circulars 65 and 68 on 23rd July 2015 for giving directions won the anti-avoidance rules enacted as part of Law No. 20780. The circulars contain limitations on the
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