Malaysia clarifies service tax rate increases on digital service providers
On 14 February 2024, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department released guidelines concerning transitional rules about adjusting the service tax rate from 6% to 8% on digital services provided by foreign registered persons (RFPs). Regarding digital
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Malaysia publishes draft guide on service tax rate increase and scope expansion
On 7 February 2024, the Royal Malaysian Customs Department issued a draft guide regarding the upcoming increase in the service tax rate and its expanded scope. The proposals are set to take effect on 1 March 2024. The Ministry of Finance is
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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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IMF 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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IMF Report Comments on the Sri Lankan Economy
On 19 January 2024 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Sri Lanka. The report notes that the economic reform program implemented by Sri Lanka is helping economic recovery with positive real GDP growth in the third quarter of 2023,
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IMF Issues Report under Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for Mozambique
On 8 January 2024 the IMF issued a report after completing the Third Review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Arrangement with Mozambique. The ECF arrangement aims to support structural reforms to promote Mozambique’s economic recovery and
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Israel to raise bank taxes to 26% in 2024 and 2025
On 15 January 2024, Israel's Ministry of Finance proposed to increase the tax rate on bank profits from 17% to 26% in both 2024 and 2025. At present, banks and other financial institutions pay a 17% VAT-equivalent tax on their total payroll and
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Malaysia considering increasing service taxes
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) announced that it is considering a proposal to increase the service tax rate to 8% from the current 6% and expand the service tax scope—effective 1 March 2024. The service taxes increase a part of the
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Spain approves extension of windfall taxes on banks and reduced VAT rates
On 11 January 2024, the Spanish Government issued a press release announcing the approval of the Royal Decree-Law. The Royal Decree-Law was approved by the Spanish Council of Ministers on 27 December 2023. This Decree extends specific measures to
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Malaysia imposes sales tax on import of low value goods
On 1 January 2024, Malaysia imposed a 10% sales tax on imported low-value goods (LVG) sold in the country. The LVG rules came into effect on 1 January 2023 and were initially intended to be effective from 1 April 2023. However, it was postponed
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Algeria publishes finance law for 2024 introducing new local solidarity tax
On 31 December 2023, Algeria's Ministry of Finance published the Finance Law for 2024 in the Official Gazette. The Finance Law for 2024 eliminates the 1.5% tax on professional activity (TAP) and introduces the new local solidarity tax
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Ukraine provides clarification on windfall tax for banks
On 23 December 2023, the State Tax Service of Ukraine released Newsletter No. 6/2023, which provides clarification on the implementation of the windfall tax on banks per Law 3474-IX. This legislation introduced a tax rate of 50% on bank profits for
See MoreWorld Health Organisation: 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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OECD: Housing Equity across Levels of Government
On 26 October 2023 the OECD published a study with the title Bricks, Taxes and Spending: Solutions for Housing Equity across Levels of Government. The study forms part of the OECD’s Fiscal Federalism Studies and sets out an analysis of ways in
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IMF and World Bank annual meetings 2023
The IMF/World Bank annual meetings were held from 9 to 15 October 2023. Improving Tax Capacity in Developing Countries On 15 October 2023, a fiscal forum was held on improving tax capacity in developing countries. The address by Katherine Baer
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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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