Taiwan: Recommends Tax Cuts for SMEs to raise wages

16 June, 2014

Taiwan's Cabinet agreed an amendment to the draft law that would give corporate tax deductions to small and medium businesses that raise pay for their lower-level employees. The amendment suggests a 130% tax deduction for small- and medium-sized

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Japan: From 2015 Corporate Tax rate will decrease

15 June, 2014

From 2015, Japan's corporate tax rate will be reduced from its current rate 36% to below 30%. Corporate tax cuts will now form a major part of the Government's 2015 policy framework, which will concentrate on PM’s promised growth strategies. This

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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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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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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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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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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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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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Japanese Panel Looks For Gradual Corporate Tax Cuts

24 April, 2014

There has for some time been concern in Japan that the relatively high effective corporate tax rate is making the country less competitive. There has therefore been pressure for the rate to be lowered to a level more in line with those of other

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Ireland – Corporate Tax Rate Effectively Below 11 Percent

20 April, 2014

A recent technical note issued by the Department of Finance indicates that Ireland has maintained an effective corporate tax rate of about 11 percent since 2003. Enterprises operating in Ireland are liable to corporation tax at 12.5 percent on

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Chile proposes tax reform

20 April, 2014

Chile is embarking on a tax reform that will affect both direct and indirect taxes. A Bill is under discussion in the National Congress and this covers important changes to the existing tax laws. The Bill aims to raise the corporate tax rate from

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Ukraine Increases Tax and Slashes Spending

16 April, 2014

Ukraine has approved tax reforms that will allow the country to access increased financial aid from the IMF. Ukraine requires the IMF funding to ensure the stability of its finances. For this reason some planned tax cuts will not be implemented and

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Taiwan increases business tax rate for financial services

31 March, 2014

Taiwan has amended the laws on income tax, VAT and business tax with an effective date of 1 January 2015 in the case of the income tax changes. The measures include an increase of the business tax rate on core business revenue in banking and

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Spanish SMEs Ask for VAT and Income Tax Support

24 March, 2014

The President of Spain's small business association CEPYME, has called on the Government to lower the rate of corporation tax levied on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Spain, as part of its plans to reform taxation. He also recommended

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Ireland: opportunities for US firms

23 March, 2014

The Irish Prime Minister has described the 12.5 percent corporate tax rate as a "cornerstone of the offering of attractiveness that Ireland has," telling the US Chamber of Commerce that his country is open for business. Although a few years ago

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Namibia: Budget for 2014/15

24 February, 2014

The 2014-15 Budget was presented by the Minister of Finance on 19 February 2014, and includes the following measures: Corporate taxation: The non-mining corporate income tax rate will be reduced from 33% to 32%. VAT: The VAT registration

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Ukraine: Reduces corporate income tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) rates

23 February, 2014

Ukraine has reduced corporate income tax and VAT rates from 1 January 2014. The reduced rates are: For corporate income tax: 18% from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2014; 17% from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015; 16% from 1 January 2016. VAT

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Malaysia: Flat corporate tax rate introduced for SMEs which merge

23 February, 2014

On 14 February 2014, the International Trade and Industry Minister announced a flat rate of 20% for 5 years for Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which have merged to form larger entities. Currently, SMEs only enjoy the reduced corporate tax rate of

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