UK: Budget to be announced this week
The UK budget for 2016/17 is to be announced on 16 March 2016. As the UK’s economic outlook is not as favorable as outlined at the time of the Autumn Statement this year’s budget announcements are expected to contain some revenue-raising
See MoreNew Zealand: IMF selected issues paper looks at tax changes
A selected issues paper published on 8 February 2016 was prepared by IMF staff as background to consultations in New Zealand under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The paper notes that New Zealand’s economy has performed well in
See MoreSpain Approves Comprehensive Tax Reform Plans
Spanish parliament has approved the comprehensive tax reforms plans on 24 November 2014, which will be published shortly in the Official Gazette. The legislation will enter into force from January 1, 2015 and followings changes have been taken
See MoreSouth Africa: National Treasury Publishes Regulations For Tax-Free Savings
National Treasury has published the draft Notice and Regulations required to allow the introduction of tax free savings accounts from March 1, 2015. The draft Notice lists the service providers that may offer tax-free savings and investments to the
See MoreUS: IRS Issues Guideline On Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) Rollover Rule
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued guidance regarding clarification of the impact of a rollover from one Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) to another on the one-per-year limit on tax-free rollovers. This reflects a policy change
See MoreUS: Saver Urged To Plan Now To Take Tax Credit
Low and moderate-income workers have advised to take steps now to save for retirement and earn a special tax credit in 2014 and years ahead, according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The saver’s credit helps offset part of the first $2,000
See MoreUS: Inland Revenue Service (IRS) Announces 2015 Pension Plan Limitations
The Internal Revenue Service announced the cost‑of‑living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2015. Many of the pension plan limitations will change for 2015 because the
See MoreCanada: Relief for US persons with Canadian retirement plans
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued direction announcing that it is removing the official requirements that U.S. taxpayers had to abide by every year by the time of filing their U.S. tax returns. This return uses to claim a deferral of
See MoreUK: Pension statements and the annual allowance to be sent soon
Pension providers will soon be sending annual allowance pension statements for the 2013 to 2014 tax year to all pension scheme members contributing more than £50,000 per year to a pension scheme. Finance Act 2011 legally requires pension providers
See MoreUK Pension scheme administrators: New requirements to be fit and proper persons
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is committed to combating pension liberation activity. To build on a number of recent changes to existing legislation and processes, HMRC has introduced new legislation relating to the fit and proper status of scheme
See MoreUK: Certificates of residence for registered pension schemes changes
The process for applying for a certificate of residence for a registered pension scheme changes from 4 August 2014. If you’re the owner of the pension scheme assets, or an authorized third party, and want to request a certificate of residence for
See MorePortugal Discloses Tax Rates For 2015
Portugal’s medium term economic strategy includes provisions to raise the rate of value added tax (VAT) and social security contribution (TSU). The government also intends to decrease the extraordinary solidarity contribution (CES) on
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 MoreSouth African Poll Criticizes Employment Tax Incentive
A poll conducted by the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT) appears to indicate that the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) is not succeeding in its aims. Although large businesses are aware of the incentive and have consulted their
See MoreBelgian Finance Minister Preserves Savings Tax Perk
The Belgian Finance Minister has clarified that the 15 percent favorable rate of withholding tax, levied on income derived from regulated savings deposits, is to remain in place despite a recent ruling from the country's Constitutional Court,
See MoreECJ: Deduction of input VAT on pension fund management costs
In a Revenue and Customs Brief HMRC has set out its position on VAT on pension fund management costs. This follows decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the case of Fiscale Eenheid PPG Holdings BV regarding an employer's entitlement to
See MoreGermany: Taxable Pension Threshold Lower
The taxable pension threshold in Germany has been reduced; tax will be due in 2014 on gross monthly pension income that exceeds EUR 1,225 for single taxpayers, and EUR 2,450 for married couples. This is part of an ongoing reform to progressively
See MoreUSA – IRS Announces Pension Plan Limitations for 2014
On October 31, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2014. Some pension limitations such as those governing 401(k)
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