GCC develops VAT and excise tax framework
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) finance ministers held an extraordinary meeting on 16th June in Jeddah and approved in principle VAT and excise tax treaties. In order to keep pace with the changing economic landscape and through extensive
See MorePhilippines: Department of Finance certifies tax reform bill
The Department of Finance (DoF) declared that, the proposed second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) will be submitted to the Congress by the fourth quarter of the year. According to the DoF government’s plan to introduce a
See MoreBangladesh: Parliament passes Budget for 2017-18
On 29 June 2017, the parliament of Bangladesh has passed a Tk 4,00,266 crore national budget with some changes to the excise duty on bank accounts and Value Added Tax (VAT) proposals for the fiscal year 2017-18. On 1 June 2017, the Finance
See MoreSaudi Arabia: Excise Tax Law officially published in the local Gazette
The Saudi Arabian Cabinet approved the Excise Tax Law on 2 May 2017 after also approving the GCC framework agreement in relation to Excise Taxes. The Excise Tax Law was published in the Saudi Official Gazette (UM-AL QURA), Issue no. 4672 on 26 May
See MoreKenya presents budget for 2017-18
The Cabinet Secretary submitted the budget for 2017-18 to the National Assembly on 30 March 2017. the main changes are summarised below: Withholding taxes Dividends paid to non-residents by enterprises operating in Special Economic Zones will be
See MoreSouth Africa: National Treasury consults on sugar tax amendments
Proposed changes to the tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) were introduced in the recently announced 2017-18 Budget. The South African National Treasury has issued a list of questions and answers on the changes to the proposed tax. The National
See MoreZambia: Finance Minister presents national budget for 2017
The Minister of Finance has presented national budget for 2017 to the National Assembly on 11th November 2016. The budget of 2017 highlights some important issues which are given below: Direct tax PAYE threshold increased from K3,000
See MoreBulgaria: Amendments to regulations on Excise Duties and Tax Warehouses Act gazetted
The amendments in the regulations for the application of the Excise Duties and Tax Warehouses Act have been published on 7th February 2017 in the State Gazette. The major amendments have been effective from the same day of its publication and the
See MoreBahrain-GCC: Excise Taxes Framework Agreement signed by Bahraini Finance Minister
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Excise Taxes Framework Agreement has been signed by the Bahraini Finance Minister on 1st February 2017. Bahrain is planning to introduce Excise Tax by mid-2017. The excise levies will be 50% on soft drinks and a
See MoreSaudi Arabia-Cabinet approved tax measures under Fiscal Balance Program
The Saudi Cabinet approved on 22 December 2016 a 5-year financial sustainability plan called "Fiscal Balance Program" which is expecting to abolish the budget deficit by 2020. The objective of the program is to increase revenues from non-oil
See MoreMontenegro: Draft Budget for 2017 adopted
The government of Montenegro has adopted the draft budget 2017 on 18th December 2016. The main changes are given as follows: the application of 11% increased tax rate for personal income more than the average salary will be extended until 2019;
See MoreGeorgia-Amendments to Tax Code submitted to parliament
The government of Georgia submitted a draft law to the parliament introducing certain amendments to the current Tax Code on 5 December 2016. The draft law recommends a significant increase of excise duty rates on tobacco products, passenger cars,
See MoreSlovak Republic: Tax law amendments approved
Suggested amendments to corporate income tax, individual income tax, transfer pricing and special levies in case of companies in regulated industries has been approved by the parliament on 23rd November 2016. The amendments have not yet been
See MoreSlovak Republic: Tax law amendments proposed
A governmental package of proposed amendments on tax law has been submitted to the parliament and the changes are suggested to become effective from 1st January 2017. These changes needs to be approved by the parliament and signed by the President
See MoreUK: Consultation on Soft Drinks Industry Levy
As part of the Budget for 2016 the UK government announced a new levy on soft drinks companies from April 2018. The Soft Drinks Industry Levy is to be charged on producers and importers of soft drinks that contain added sugar where the total sugar
See MoreRussia: Exemption from excise duties on export of excisable goods
The Russian Finance Ministry issued Letter No. 03-07-15/41049 on 16th July 2015 clarifying the application procedure for exemption from excise duties on export of excisable goods. On the basis of changes introduced by Federal Law No. 150-FZ,
See MoreSlovak Republic: Changes to law on excise duties
National Council has adopted some changes in the laws regarding excise duties on 22 October 2014. The provisions will be in effect from 1st December 2014 including with some exceptions whether the amendments are signed by the
See MoreKazakhstan-Amendment of excise tax
The president of Kazakhstan has signed Law No. 210-V due to amend the excise tax rules on June 18, 2014 and this law will be effective from January 1, 2015. Excise taxes are levied at rates applicable during import if excisable goods are both
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