US: IRS and Treasury issue final guidance on 1% excise tax rules on stock buybacks
The US Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a release—IR-2024-179, on 28 June 2024, announcing final guidance regarding regulations on how to report and pay the 1% excise tax owed on corporate stock
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Italy extends plastic and sugar tax suspension
Italy has enacted Law No. 67 of 23 May 2024, now published in the Official Gazette, which converts Decree-Law No. 39 of 29 March 2024 into law with specific amendments. The key measure in this legislation is the continued suspension of the
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Bangladesh reportedly plans 67% hike in bank excise duty
The Bangladesh government reportedly plans to increase excise duty on high-value bank deposits in the fiscal year 2024-25. Low- and middle-income depositors will maintain current rates, but higher-income individuals will see increased
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Slovak Republic consults public regarding draft bill to tax sugary beverages
The Slovak Republic’s Ministry of Finance has proposed a draft bill for public consultation on taxing sugary beverages and drinks with sweeteners. The tax on sweetened soft drinks (TSSD) is classified as an indirect tax on consumption. This
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US: IRS proposes regulations for excise tax for stock repurchases
On 9 April 2024, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the proposed regulations offering guidance on the new excise tax on corporate stock repurchases made after 31 December 2022. The Inflation Reduction Act imposed a new excise tax on
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UN Tax Committee Discusses Health Tax Guidance
On 22 March 2024 the UN Tax Committee discussed the latest output from the work program of the health subcommittee which is producing a handbook on health taxes for developing countries. Health taxes can apply to tobacco, alcohol, sugar-sweetened
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IMF Report Comments on Greece’s Economy
On 23 January 2024 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Greece under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. Greece’s economic outlook has improved with real GDP growth projected at 2.3% in 2023 and 2.1% in 2024. Positive
See MoreIMF Report Comments on Finland’s Economic Position
On 23 January 2024 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Finland under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The report notes that although Finland’s economy recovered quickly from the pandemic, the war in Ukraine has
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WHO: Launch of Technical Manual on Alcohol Tax Policy and Administration
On 5 December 2023 a webinar was held to launch the WHO technical manual on alcohol tax policy and administration. See: WHO technical manual on alcohol tax policy and administration . Rudiger Krech, the director of health promotion at the WHO,
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UN Tax Committee considers transfer pricing and treaty issues
The 27th session of the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters took place from 17 to 20 October 2023. Subcommittees dealing with various areas of taxation presented updates to the Tax Committee on their
See MorePlatform for Collaboration on Tax: Study of Carbon Pricing Metrics
On 8 September 2023 the Platform for Collaboration on Tax (PCT) issued a report on carbon pricing metrics. The PCT was set up for collaboration between the IMF, OECD, UN and the World Bank and supports countries in strengthening their tax systems by
See MoreIMF Urges Lebanon to Improve Revenue Mobilisation
On 15 September 2023 the IMF issued a report following consultations with Lebanon under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The IMF considers that the lack of action on reforms has caused problems for Lebanon’s economy. The country
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Ireland: Revenue increases mineral oil tax rates
On 24 August 2023, the Irish Revenue issued eBrief No. 187/23 on Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) rate changes. Accordingly, the Tax and Duty Manual (TDM) on Excise Duty Rates on Energy Products and Electricity has been updated to reflect increases in MOT
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OECD: Revenue Statistics in Asia and the Pacific 2023
On 25 July 2023 the OECD issued Revenue Statistics in Asia and the Pacific 2023, setting out revenue data for the region from 2021. The latest edition of the annual publication includes data on tax revenues for 30 jurisdictions in the region and
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UK: Tax Gap for 2021/22
On 22 June 2023 HMRC published details of the UK’s tax gap for 2021/22. The tax gap is a measure of the difference between the amount of tax that should have been collected by HMRC, and the amount that was actually paid. The tax that should be
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Kuwait: IMF Report Recommends Implementation of VAT and Excise Taxes
On 5 June 2023 the IMF published a report following consultations with Kuwait under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. Kuwait’s economy has begun to recover after the pandemic with economic growth estimated at 8.2% in 2022 as a
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OECD: Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023
On 16 May 2023 the OECD published Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2023. The report is a joint publication by the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations (CIAT), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the UN Economic
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South Africa introduces reduced income tax rates
On 16 January 2023, the National Treasury of South Africa published a media statement regarding the publication of the country's 2022 tax acts in the Official Gazette. Personal Income Tax Personal income tax rebate has been amended, i.e., a
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