UK: First year allowance for low emission cars extended for three years
The UK government has announced its intention to introduce legislation as part of the Finance Bill 2017 to extend the period of application of the First Year Allowance (FYA) for companies purchasing low emission cars. The 100% FYA was originally
See MoreUK: Statistics on funds raised through the EIS and SEIS
The schemes known as the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) are two of the tax advantaged venture capital schemes in the UK, the other being the tax relief for investment in venture capital trusts for
See MoreCroatia: Tax reform package announced
The Finance Minister has presented a tax reform package on 27th October 2016 for simplifying the tax system. The key elements are listed below: Corporate income tax The corporate income tax rate will be reduced from 20% to 18%. In case of
See MoreUK: Statistics released on Venture Capital Trusts
On 20 October 2016 HMRC released statistics on Venture Capital Trusts. The tax regime for venture capital trusts (VCTs) provides that a VCT if correctly structured can obtain tax relief for the trust itself and for its investors. The VCT regime is
See MoreUK: Statistics on patent box tax relief
On 14 September 2016 HMRC released statistics on the uptake of the patent box legislation during the first year it was in force. The legislation went into effect in relation to profits earned after 1 April 2013 and is being phased in gradually with
See MoreUK: Update on advance assurance for R&D tax relief
On 24 August 2016 HMRC held a webinar to provide an update on the advance assurance scheme for research and development (R&D) tax relief. The scheme which is aimed at small companies was launched in November 2015 and there have so far been more
See MoreUK: Consultation on changes to Gift Aid scheme
Under the Gift Aid scheme the UK government effectively supplements a charitable donation by adding basic rate tax to the amount donated. The scheme is very valuable for UK charities as the government has added more than GBP 5 billion to charitable
See MoreKenya presents budget for 2016-17
The Cabinet Secretary presented the budget for 2016-17 to the National Assembly on 8 June 2016. Some of the proposed measures as regards direct taxation are given below: Corporate taxation: Corporate tax rate decrease from 30% to 20% for developers
See MoreUK: Enterprise Investment Scheme statistics
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) are two important tax advantaged venture capital schemes in the UK. In addition to these two schemes there are other tax advantaged schemes such as the tax
See MoreUK: Consultation on draft regulations for Innovative Finance ISA
The UK government has published in draft form the Individual Savings Account (Amendment No 2) Regulations 2016 introducing a new type of Individual Savings Account (ISA) called the Innovative Finance ISA. Comments on the draft legislation may be
See MoreSingapore publishes e-Tax Guide on tax treatment of gains from the disposal of investments by insurers
Recently, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) issued an e-Tax Guide (the Guide) on 27 October 2015, which explains how the rules stated in the case of: Comptroller of Income Tax v. BBO ( SGCA 10) (BBO case) are applied to determine the
See MoreKazakhstan: Amendment to the deductibility of charitable donations
The Senate has passed a bill on 22nd October 2015 that changes the deductibility of charitable donations. In accordance with the bill, the deduction of charitable donation by companies and individual entrepreneurs will be limited to the following
See MoreMalaysia: Budget 2016
The Malaysian Prime Minister announced Malaysia's 2016 budget on 23 October 2015 highlighting some tax measures including corporate and personal income taxation changes. Corporate taxation A special reinvestment allowance of 60% of qualifying
See MoreHungary: Parliament approves tax laws for 2016
The Parliament of Hungary approved a package of previously announced tax law changes for 2016 on 16 June 2015. According to the approved Bill the personal income tax rate will reduce from 16% to 15%. The tax allowance for individuals raising two
See MoreRomania: Government allows tax breaks for foreign investors
With the aim of encouraging start-up business, the government of Romania has approved a new law to introduce tax relief for foreign venture capitalists. The new law will be applicable to foreign individuals who were previously unconnected with the
See MoreTurkey: Personal Tax Allowances Increased
Law no. 6645 has been published in the official gazette on 23rd April 2015. The law amends the individual income tax law. Article 8 of this law raises the minimum living allowance rate approved for the third child to 10% from 5%. The basic
See MoreSlovak Republic: Proposed amendments to tax legislation
The Slovak Republic has proposed changes in the tax legislation including corporate income tax, personal income tax and value added tax. The amendments should come into force from 1st January 2016. The changes are summarized below: Corporate
See MoreHong Kong: IRD Gazettes Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015
The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2015 was gazetted on 17 April, 2015. The Bill seeks to amend the Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 112) to implement the concessionary revenue measures proposed in the 2015-16 Budget. These include: (a)
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