Venezuela: Monthly minimum salary increases
The President has declared an increment in the monthly minimum salary (MMS) from VEF 4,889.11 to VEF 5,622.47 on 21st January 2015, and it should have been applicable as from 1st February 2015. But, the Decree announcing the increase has not yet
See MoreOECD: report on encouraging entrepreneurship
In December 2014 the OECD published a study entitled “The Missing Entrepreneurs 2014: Policies for Inclusive Entrepreneurship in Europe”. This looks at the possibilities for entrepreneurship and self-employment for groups in Europe that are
See MoreSpain: Amendment of Social Security Contribution Rules
Spain amended the social security contribution rules through the Ministerial Order ESS/86/2015 of 30 January 2015. The Order implements the social security contribution rules established in the Budget Law for 2015, including unemployment, protection
See MoreGCC average salaries in 2015 are set to rise 5% as per latest pay forecast
Salaries of GCC countries are set to rise next year as per the pay forecast of Hay Group, the global management consultancy. The forecast is based on over 1,600 organizations representing 1 million employees in the GCC countries. It shows that the
See MoreUS: Four Charitable Tax Breaks for 2014
“America Gives More Act of 2014” has been passed in the House on July 17, by the vote of 277-130. Two old charitable giving tax breaks that have expired and two new ones have passed the House, leaving charities delighted. Among the Four
See MoreNigeria: New system regarding pension plan has enacted
The Legislation has signed into law that provides new measures for a contributory pension plan system in Nigeria. The new law naming “Pension Reform Act, 2014” repeals a 2004 law, and provides for a high threshold number of employees for
See MoreRussia: Withholding tax for pensions has reimbursed under certain situations
The Federal Law that adopts the amending tax code has entered into force with effect from June 24, 2014. On the basis of Federal Law No. 166-FZ, pensions paid to individuals under non-state pension insurance agreements signed by their employers with
See MoreChile: Claim for education tax break rise of 16%
Chile's Internal Revenue Service (SII) reported that 284,494 taxpayers have claimed a tax rebate for expenses regarding children’s education this year, an increase of 16% from previous year. The total amount claimed was CLP25.45bn (USD45.84m),
See MoreCanada -Australia ITT regarding income of employee on a short-term secondment
The Australian Taxation Office has published Interpretative Decision ATO ID 2014/20 on May 30, 2014 regarding the income of a non-resident individual engaged by a resident employer resident in Canada is taxable in Australia despite that the employee
See MoreNew Zealand Funding Increased Tax Compliance Drive
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is to receive an additional NZD132m in government funding over five years to increase its tax compliance drive. Some of this is for investing in compliance enforcement, while some will cover tax that must be
See MoreIreland – Car Tax Breaks for Disabled Persons
Ireland has announced that from the end of this year it is to abolish the excise duty relief relating to the fuel portion of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme. This is a consequence of a decision of the European Court of Justice,
See MoreSpain to Bill Firms Directly For Social Security Contributions
The Social Security Administration in Spain is to commence directly invoicing employers in respect of monthly social security bills, instead of relying on employers to deduct the contributions from wages on a monthly basis. The invoice will be
See MoreSouth Africa: Details of Pensions and Savings Changes
In two new papers South Africa has given further detail on the tax free savings products and reforms to retirement pensions that were announced in the 2014 budget. In respect of retirement reform the government intends to implement a system of
See MoreSpain – published social security contributions decrease
The Official Gazette published Royal Decree-Law 3/2014 on 1 March 2014. This law contains urgent measures to promote employment via the contracting of workers for an indefinite period. The Decree-Law sets out the circumstances in which a flat social
See MoreSouth Africa reminds employers to make ETI claims
South African businesses have been reminded that their first monthly claim for the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI), which came into effect on January 1 2014, should be submitted by February 7, 2014. The ETI is an incentive mainly aimed at encouraging
See MoreBrazil: Withholding tax thresholds for Employee Profit-Sharing Plans Increased
The employee profit-sharing plan (participação nos lucros ou resultados, PLR) related tax withholding thresholds in Brazil have recently been modified. This will be applicable from 1 January 2014. For the taxable year 2014, the tax withholding
See MoreHungary- Extension to Family Tax Break
The tax incentive regime for employers of parents with small children has been extended in Hungary. The Employment Minister has announced plans regarding this. According to the new plan an employer of parent having at least three small children will
See MoreSouth African Employment Tax Incentive
The Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) has been approved by the South African Parliament. The purpose of incentive is to alter the high levels of youth unemployment by reducing the cost to employers of hiring employees between the ages of 18 and 29. The
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