Cyprus: Tax Benefits for Holding Company

06 June, 2014

Cyprus has the most favourable tax system for the companies incorporated or registered under any Cyprus law, and any foreign company which carries on business or has an office or place of business (permanent establishment) in Cyprus. Now at 12.5%

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New Zealand: Approved new tax rate on employer loans

06 June, 2014

The Revenue Minister has approved the new interest rate on employer’s loan, which will be 6.13% (previously it was 5.90%). This new interest rate will be effective from 1 July of

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Italy: New anti-avoidance rules

05 June, 2014

The Italian Parliament approved the Law no. 23 of 2014 in March 2014 empowering the government to enact a partial reform of the Italian fiscal system. The government will adopt legislative decrees for the amendment of the Italian abuse of law and

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Greece’s Prime Minister has promised to slash taxes

02 June, 2014

It has been promised by the Greece's Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras to cut taxes "everywhere” to substantiate the Government's goal as to reduce the corporation tax to 15 percent, the highest rate of income tax to 33 percent and slash the rate of

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New Russian CFC and anti-avoidance legislation

02 June, 2014

The amended draft law regarding controlled foreign companies and other anti-offshore measures has done most valuable changes in the field of foreign tax structures and tax avoidance. This law has publicly available on 27 May, 2014. It highlights

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US: Study Moves to Curb State Corporate Tax Incentives

26 May, 2014

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in the US has recently published a memorandum that looks at the tax relief and subsidies the US federal and state governments grant every year as an incentive to attract business investment. The memorandum

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Taiwan Approves 45 Percent Top Income Tax Rate

25 May, 2014

Tax reforms passed in Taiwan include a 45% rate of income tax on incomes above TWD 10 million per annum. Also included in the reform is an increase in the basic income tax threshold to TWD 90,000 for single taxpayers and TWD 180,000 for married

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Norway: Regulations regarding exemptions to the interest

25 May, 2014

On 24 April 2014, Norway’s Ministry of Finance issued regulations regarding exemptions to the interest deduction limitation rules. Under regulations issued in April 2014 certain securities transactions are exempt from the interest restriction

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China: Issues circular to clarify corporate income tax incentive

25 May, 2014

On 25 March 2014, China’s Ministry of Finance and State Administration of Taxation (SAT) jointly issued a circular, Caishui No. 26 (Circular 26) to clarify the criteria for the 15% preferential corporate income tax (CIT). A lower 15% incentive

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German States Agree Tougher Tax Regularization Rules

25 May, 2014

German federal state finance ministers have discussed improvements to the tax system and have decided on action to strengthen the “declaration of non-compliance” that permits residents to regularize their tax affairs without the possibility of

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French Local Tax Reforms Have Cut Tax Burden

25 May, 2014

A report issued by the Board of Compulsory Levies (CPO) in France suggests that small and medium enterprises have benefited by the introduction of the local economic contribution in place of the local business tax. This contribution is the most

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Brazil: Superior Court Rules in Vale CFC Appeal

25 May, 2014

The Superior Court of Justice in Brazil has arrived at a decision in relation to the mining company Vale. The Court has ruled that profits of Controlled Foreign Companies (CFCs) of Vale in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Denmark would not give rise to a

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UK: Tax Reform Has Boosted UK’s Appeal to Business

18 May, 2014

The UK’s Exchequer Secretary has suggested that there is currently high business confidence in the tax system. One reason for this is that the UK has recently taken measures to improve the attractiveness of its tax system including reductions to

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Swiss Bankers Ask France to Increase Amnesty Uptake

18 May, 2014

The President of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), has suggested that France should extend and enhance its tax regularization facility to allow more taxpayers to make a voluntary declaration to normalize their tax affairs. At the moment the

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Japan Planning Corporate Tax Cut Next Year

18 May, 2014

There are plans to lower the corporate tax rate following the work of the Tax Commission appointed by the Japanese government. The Commission suggested an eventual reduction of the corporate tax rate to around 25 percent, and the Deputy Economy

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Germany: Draft guidance amending corporate tax loss limitation rules

18 May, 2014

Germany has issued draft guidance to replace prior advice on the corporate tax loss limitation rules. The current guidance was issued in 2008 and although there have not been any changes to the basic provisions in this area the new guidance aims to

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Automatic exchange of tax information between G5 and partners will begin in 2017

30 April, 2014

The finance ministers of the five largest economies of Europe committed last year to arrange for the automatic exchange of tax information between them. The ministers have now confirmed that the implementation of this project is to commence from

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Singapore – GST rules affecting funds management industry

29 April, 2014

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore have finalized a set of rules relating to the impact of the goods and services tax (GST) on the funds management industry. Rules are laid down to establish the

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