Costa Rica lowers alcoholic beverages tax rates
Costa Rica’s Ministry of Finance has reduced tax on alcoholic beverages by 0.34% under Article 1 of Law 7972. The revised tax rates are mentioned in MH-DGH-RES-0049-2024, which was published in the Official Gazette on 11 October 2024 and will
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Slovak Republic gazettes bill to tax sugary beverages
The Slovak Republic gazetted a new bill, “Act on Tax”, which imposes a sugar tax on sweetened soft drinks. The bill will take effect on 1 January 2025. The Slovak President signed the bill on 20 September 2024, and it was officially
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Poland to raise excise duty on tobacco products
Poland’s Council of Ministers approved a bill to raise excise duty rates on tobacco products on 1 October 2024. The tobacco products that are subject to increased excise duty include cigars, novelty tobacco products, raw tobacco, and electronic
See MoreOECD: Latest Edition of Tax Policy Reforms
On 30 September 2024 the OECD published the latest edition of Tax Policy Reforms: OECD and Selected Partner Economies. This annual publication provides comparative information on tax reforms in a number of countries. The latest report looks at the
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Slovak Republic enacts sugar tax, targets sweetened nonalcoholic beverages
The Slovakian Parliament enacted the Act on Tax (sugar tax) targeting sweetened nonalcoholic beverages on 11 September 2024. This follows after the Slovak Republic’s Ministry of Finance initiated a public consultation on draft legislation in
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OECD: Economic Survey of Malaysia
On 27 August 2024 the OECD published its latest Economic Survey of Malaysia. The survey notes that Malaysia’s economy has grown significantly since the 1960s, with a higher per capita income than other countries in the region. Malaysia is
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Australia publishes guidance on GST for food, drinks, health products
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has provided guidance to help taxpayers navigate the goods and services tax (GST) classification of food, beverages, and health products, clarifying whether these items are subject to tax or GST-free. ATO has
See MoreATAF: Project to support improved tobacco tax strategies
A communication of 9 July 2024 from the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) announced that the organisation aims to support member countries in implementing robust tobacco tax strategies by means of workshops, seminars and technical
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US: Washington finalises capital gains excise tax rules
Washington state’s Department of Revenue has issued clarification regarding the state's capital gains tax under WAC 458-20-301. The finalised regulations define and illustrate the capital gains tax, and provides explanation about the treatment of
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Lithuania: Parliament adopts state defence fund, increases corporate income tax and excise duties
Lithuania's parliament has approved a resolution to establish the State Defense Fund, but to achieve this goal, the parliament has raised the corporate tax rate and excise duties on alcohol, cigarettes and fuel, and enacted the Defence Fund
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Turkey hikes petroleum consumption tax by 19.49%
Turkey’s Revenue Administration (GIB) announced, on 3 July 2024, that it raised the fixed special consumption tax (SCT) on petroleum products by 19.49%. The petroleum products, listed in Schedule I of the SCT Law that are subject to increased
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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
See MoreSlovak 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
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