Namibia introduces a bill to repeal tax incentives for manufacturing and export processing zones
On 19 February 2020, the Minister of Finance tabled the first income tax amendment bill of 2020 in Parliament that repeals the tax incentives applicable to registered manufacturers and export processing zones (“EPZ”). For manufacturers, this
See MoreHong Kong: Financial Secretary presents the budget for 2020/21
On 26 February 2020, the Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced the 2020/21 budget outlining the Hong Kong SAR Government’s plan for the economy and proposals for taxation developments. He proposed the following tax concessionary measures,
See MoreSouth Africa: Finance Minister delivers draft Budget for 2020-2021
On 26 February 2020, the Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, delivered National Budget for the year 2020-2021. Some provisions of budget 2020-2021 include: Corporate income tax The standard corporate income tax rate was proposed to remain
See MoreChile: Government publishes Tax Reform Law
On 24 February 2020, Government published Law No. 21.210 in the Official Gazette and effects as from 1 January 2020. This Law was approved by the Senate on 29 January 2020. The tax reform Law includes: Corporate income tax The Law includes a
See MoreNigeria: FIRS issues a public notice regarding tax payment deadlines
On 21 February 2020, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) issued a public notice, which states the deadlines for tax payment under the Finance Act 2019. According to the notice, the FIRS notified the general public, companies, and taxpayers
See MoreHungary plans to improve research and development tax reliefs
Following a meeting of the National Competitiveness Council, the Hungarian Ministry of Finance recently announced that the Government is planning further tax cuts for companies, including improvements in the deductions available for research and
See MoreMalaysia gazettes Labuan Business Activity Tax (Amendment) Act 2020
On 10 February 2020, Malaysia has gazetted the Labuan Business Activity Tax (Amendment) Act 2020 (“the Amendment Act”) which comes into operation on 11 February 2020. The following tax measures are included in the act. A company in Labuan
See MorePhilippines: Senate approves the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act
On 19 February 2020, the Senate approved a Bill, entitled “the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act”. It was approved by the House of Representatives on 13 September 2019. The bill aims to change the National Internal Revenue Code and
See MoreGhana: Parliament approves Budget for 2020
The parliament of Ghana approved the Acts for the implementation of the 2020 Budget and published on 30 December 2019. The Act introduces tax holidays (exemptions) for the income of a manufacturer or assembler in respect of the manufacture or
See MoreSri Lanka implements proposed changes to the Inland Revenue Act
On 19 February 2020, the Sri Lankan tax authority published an amended version of a notice to the Implementation of Proposed Amendments to the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017. Although the formal amendments are pending, the changes are
See MoreSingapore: Summary of tax updates in Budget 2020
On 18 February 2020, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has published an overview of tax changes in the Budget Statement for the Financial Year 2020. Some of the main changes for businesses are summarized as
See MoreRussia amends WHT return filing deadline
On 5 February 2020, Russian Federal Tax Service published a notice amending the deadline for filing of 2019 withholding tax (WHT) returns by tax agents. The notice have been in force since 1 January 2020, the WHT returns are required to file
See MoreChina extends declaration deadline
The State Administration of Taxation (SAT) of China has extended tax filing deadline to 28 February 2020 due to Coronavirus epidemic. Previously, the deadline had been delayed from February 17, 2020 to February 24, 2020. For the taxpayers and
See MoreEU: Four more jurisdictions added to blacklist
On 18 February 2020 the European Union (EU) added Panama, Palau, the Seychelles and the Cayman Islands to its blacklist of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The decision was taken at the meeting of the EU economic and finance
See MoreIndonesia: Tax reform bill submits to House of Representatives
On 31 January 2020, the Directorate General of Taxation has submitted the tax reform bill to the House of Representatives. The bill proposed to cut the corporate tax rate to 22% in 2021 and 2022 and to 20% from 2023, and further reduce the
See MorePeru: SUNAT provides a list of high-risk tax planning schemes regarding GAAR
On 5 February 2020, the Peruvian Tax Administration (SUNAT) has published first version of the list of high-risk tax planning schemes regarding General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR). The list contains the following five tax planning
See MoreColombia publishes decree amending the taxation of dividend income
On 31 December 2019, the Colombian Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (MinHacienda) has published Decree 2371 of 27 December 2019 on its website which amends the dividend income tax. The Decree regulates the tax and withholding tax on dividends
See MoreWorld Tax Brief: February 2020
South AfricaCFC rules: On 13 January 2020, President signed Taxation Laws Amendment Act 2019, which amends section 9D of the Income Tax Act, 1962 regarding the definition of controlled foreign company rules and extends the application of
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