US: Trump Administration restarts probes into foreign digital service taxes
The US President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum titled "Defending American Companies and Innovators From Overseas Extortion and Unfair Fines and Penalties” on 21 February 2025. The memorandum includes renewing Section 301 investigations
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Nigeria suspends 4% Free On-Board value charge on imports
Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, in a release, from the Nigeria Customs Service on 11 February 2025, announced the suspension of the 4% charge on the Free On-Board (FOB) value of imported goods. The charge had
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World Bank: Survey of Corporate Tax Incentives for Green Growth
A World Bank blog published on 13 February 2025, written by Hania Kronfol, Eduardo Antonio and Jimenez Sandoval, assesses the use of corporate tax incentives to encourage environmentally friendly investment. The blog refers to a World Bank
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Nigeria approves 15% tariff hike for Nigerian ports services
Nigeria’s Federal Government in a press release on X has approved a 15% tariff increase on Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) services. This tariff increase applies to all rates and dues. The NPA explained the 15% upward increase is aimed at the
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Philippines issues guidance on excise tax exemption for EVs, securitisation tax rules
The Philippines Department of Finance (DoF) has released Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 1-2025, which amends section 9 (E) of RR No. 25-2003, has went into effect on 6 January 2025. The amendment updates the documentary requirements motor vehicle
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France raises financial transactions tax
France has raised the financial transactions tax rate from 0.3% to 0.4%, introduced in the French Finance Law for 2025 which was passed by parliament on 6 February 2025. The higher rate will apply to acquisitions made from the first day of the
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Slovak Republic passes second amendment to financial transaction tax act
The Slovak Republic’s parliament has passed a second amendment to the Financial Transaction Tax Act, set to take effect on 1 April 2025. The amendment expands taxpayer exemptions to include schools, extends exemptions for attorneys and public
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Philippines: Congress passes Capital Markets Efficiency Act (CMEPA)
The Congress of the Philippines has approved the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA) on 5 February 2025. These tax measures include reducing the stock transaction tax rate from 0.6% to 0.1% and cutting the documentary stamp tax on
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IMF: Revenue and Spending Measures for Developing Countries to Reduce Debt Levels
An IMF Public Finance Management (PFM) Blog, written by Talal Rafi (a Director at EY Sri Lanka) and published on 27 January 2025, looked at the measures developing countries can take to reduce public debt levels. The author notes that more than 3
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IMF Report Makes Tax Policy Recommendations for Japan
On 7 February 2025 the IMF published a report following discussions with Japan under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The report notes that Japan’s economy contracted in the first half of 2024 as a result of temporary supply
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Slovak Republic: Parliament weighs cutting fuel and gas oil excise tax
The Slovak Republic’s Parliament has accepted a proposal to consider the draft bill amending the Excise Duty Law on Mineral Oil on 17 January 2025. The bill proposed lowering the excise duty on unleaded motor fuels (CN codes 2710 12 41, 2710 12
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US: California Governor suspends property tax for a year due to wildfires
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order on 16 January 2025 to suspend penalties, costs, and any interest accrued on late property tax payments until 10 April 2026 for properties in areas affected by the firestorm. This
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Argentina to cut auto and motorcycle excise tax
Argentina’s economy minister Luis Caputo announced on an X post a major tax reduction on luxury cars and motorcycles in Argentina on 28 January 2025. This initiative is designed to make high-end vehicles more affordable while boosting demand in
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South Africa: President promulgates Taxation Laws Amendment Act, introduces changes to environmental tax provisions
The President of South Africa has promulgated the Taxation Laws Amendment Act 42 of 2024 which includes changes to environmental tax provisions. The law was published in the Official Gazette on 24 December 2024. The various amendments
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Slovak Republic: Parliament approves bill revising motor vehicle taxes
The Slovak Republic’s Parliament has passed a legislation amending the motor vehicle tax law on 27 November 2024. The changes include reduced annual tax rates for vehicles exceeding 3.5 tons and a unified approach to adjusting tax rates based
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Australia consults GST, excise tax law amendments
The government has launched a consultation on a draft bill, regulations, and an instrument proposing amendments to various tax laws, including the Inspector-General of Taxation Act 2003, the GST Act 1999, and the Excise Act 1901. The proposed
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Italy: European Commission approves extension of tonnage tax regime
The European Commission published a decision on 21 January 2025, approving the extension of Italy's tonnage tax regime for maritime transport activities. Initially introduced in December 2004, it has been extended several times since. The regime
See MoreWTO Working Paper: Continuing Significance of MFN Trading Terms
A WTO working paper of 15 January 2025, written by Tomasz Gonciarz and Thomas Verbeet, has the title Significance of most-favoured-nation terms in global trade: A comprehensive analysis. Under the WTO's MFN trading principle, member countries of
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