ECJ: Advocate General’s Opinion on Surtax on Large Pensions
On 28 January 2016, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued an opinion in Case C involving a supplementary tax on large pensions. The case was referred to the ECJ by the Supreme Administrative Court of Finland. The
See MoreUK: Changes to Employment Allowance
Following a consultation that closed on 3 January 2016 the UK is to implement changes to the conditions for eligibility for the employment allowance. This allowance reduces the liability for employer’s national insurance contributions and amounts
See MoreFrance-New tax and social security changes including mandatory e-filing of tax returns
The French Social Security Financial and Income Tax Bills of 2016 will bring changes to the countries income tax and social security rates and bands. Additionally, e-filing of returns will be mandatory for any individual earning in excess of EUR
See MoreUK: Memorandum of Understanding on Northern Ireland Corporation Tax
A Memorandum of Understanding on the Northern Ireland Corporation Tax (NICT) was published by HMRC and the Department of Finance and Personnel for Northern Ireland (DFPNI) on 7 January 2016. The transfer to the Northern Ireland Assembly of the
See MoreUK: Annual report on code of practice for banks
The Code of Practice on Taxation for Banks was published in December 2009. This voluntary Code of Practice was a non-statutory statement of principles on bank governance, openness and attitudes to tax planning. The larger financial institutions are
See MoreUK: Examples published to illustrate hybrid mismatch rules
On 22 December 2015 the UK published some examples as part of the guidance on the hybrid mismatch rules. The examples are intended to illustrate the operation of the rules in practice. The hybrid mismatch rules will implement in UK legislation the
See MoreUK: Scottish rate of income tax
On 16 December 2015 the UK updated its guidance on the Scottish rate of income tax. From 6 April 2016 people living in Scotland are to pay the Scottish rate of income tax at a rate of 10%. However the same overall rate of income tax will be paid as
See MoreUK: Consultation on changes to National Insurance Contributions
On 9 December 2015 the UK issued a consultation document proposing changes to Class 2 and Class 4 national insurance contributions. These are payments made by self-employed people in respect of entitlement social security benefits including the
See MoreUkraine: Cabinet Ministers approve amendments to tax code
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a draft budget for 2016 and amendments to the Tax Code on December 10, 2015. The amendments were submitted to the Parliament on December 11, 2015. The Cabinet of Ministers approved a compromise on tax
See MoreBulgaria: Bill to amend tax laws gazetted
A bill that amends the Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Personal Income Tax, local taxes and fees has been published in the State Gazette on 8th December 2015 and these amendments will be effective from 1st January 2016. This
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 MoreUK: Consultation on Companies Excluded from the Employment Allowance
The Employment Allowance introduced in 2014 allows most businesses a deduction of GBP 2,000 a year (GBP 3,000 a year from April 2016) from their liability for employers’ national insurance contributions. With effect from April 2016 the Employment
See MoreUK: Proposed Tax Measures in Autumn Statement
The Autumn Statement was delivered on 25 November 2015 and the following tax measures were announced: Apprenticeships levy With effect from April 2017 an Apprenticeships Levy will be introduced at a rate of 0.5% of total payroll and will be
See MoreEgypt: Clarification guideline with respect to corporate taxation
The Egyptian Tax Authority published Guideline No. 28 for 2015 on 12 November 2015. The Guideline clarifies certain issues with respect to changes introduced by Decree Law No. 96 for 2015 which amended Income Tax Law No. 91 for 2005. The most
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS issues revised guide on the determination of medical tax credits
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a revised Guide on the Determination of Medical Scheme Fees Tax Credits and Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credits. This guide provides general guidelines regarding the medical scheme fees tax
See MoreMexico: The tax reform package for 2016 published in the Official Gazette
Mexico published the tax reform package for 2016 including amended Federal Tax Code and Income Tax Law in the Official Gazette on 18 November 2015. The tax reform will be applicable from 1 January 2016.According to the tax reform package the main
See MoreUK: Finance (No 2) Act 2015 Receives Royal Assent
The Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 received the Royal Assent on 18 November 2015. The Act provides that the basic, higher and additional rates of income tax will not increase above their present levels in this parliament (i.e. until the next general
See MoreUK: Autumn Statement May Include Measures to Combat Tax Avoidance
On 25 November 2015 the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer is to announce fiscal measures for 2016/17 in the annual Autumn Statement. The proposals will be formulated against a backdrop of lower tax receipts and higher borrowing than expected, and the
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