Hong Kong gazettes stamp duty waiver legislation introduced in 2024-25 budget
Hong Kong has gazetted the Stamp Duty Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2024 on 8 November 2024, which eliminates stamp duties payable on the transfer of real estate investment trust (REIT) units and the jobbing business of option
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Kenya proposes new economic presence and minimum top-up taxes in Tax Laws Bill 2024
Kenya's National Assembly presented the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024 along with the Tax Procedures (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2024 on 1 November 2024. Both Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024 along with the Tax Procedures (Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2024
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Slovak Republic issues tax return form for sugary beverages
The Slovak Republic Ministry of Finance released the tax return form and the related instructions for the new tax on sweetened soft drinks, effective 1 January 2025. Earlier, the Slovakian Parliament enacted the Sugar Tax Act targeting sweetened
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Costa Rica lowers fuel tax rates
Costa Rica’s Ministry of Finance has reduced the single tax rates on fuels by 0.34%, effective from 1 November 2024, as per Executive Decree No. 44723-H. However, the tax on LPG will stay unchanged for six years under a provision from Law
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UK announces 2024 autumn budget
The UK autumn budget announcements were delivered today, 30 October 2024. Corporation tax The main rate of corporation tax will stay at 25% until the next election. National insurance National Insurance contributions for employers is to
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Canada: Nova Scotia lowers harmonised sales tax rate
The Department of Finance of Nova Scotia, Canada, announced that it lowered its harmonised sales tax (HST) rate, by 1%, to 14%. The new HST rate will go into effect on 1 April 2025. Nova Scotia’s HST combines the provincial value-added tax
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Slovak Republic gazettes bill amending corporate tax and VAT, and bill introducing financial transaction tax
The Slovak Republic has gazetted the bill that amends various tax laws, including corporate tax and VAT rate changes, and the bill enacting the financial transaction tax. The bills are aimed at improving the country’s public finances. The
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China introduces water resource tax
China's Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Water Resources, and State Taxation Administration jointly issued Notice No. 28 of 2024 outlining the implementation of the water resource tax on 11 October 2024. Starting 1 December 2024, a pilot water
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Hungary to amend local and EU tax laws, achieve social and policy objectives
Hungary’s government concluded a public consultation on a draft bill proposing changes to various tax laws on 24 October 2024. The proposal seeks to amend tax laws in response to EU and Hungarian legislation changes, targeting global minimum tax,
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Iceland proposes mileage tax on fossil fuel cars, doubles carbon tax
Iceland’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs submitted a bill to parliament on 22 October 2024 proposing introducing a mileage tax on fossil fuel-powered vehicles. The bill aims to eliminate excise duties on fuels and vehicles while
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European Commission approves Danish State Aid for greenhouse gas tax cuts
The European Commission announced it approved, under EU State aid rules, a EUR 724 million (DKK 5.4 billion) Danish scheme to lower the rate of new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions tax for certain companies. The scheme offers a reduced tax rate for
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IMF Annual Meetings: Regional Economic Outlook – Sub-Saharan Africa
On 25 October 2024 the IMF presented the latest regional outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa. The report notes that the region is making economic progress, but macroeconomic vulnerabilities are persistent. Countries in the region are trying to implement
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Singapore publishes guidance on New Alternative Net Tonnage Basis of Taxation for Shipping Income
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore has updated its guidelines regarding the Tax Treatment for Shipping Income which now includes new provisions related to the alternative net tonnage basis of taxation, which will take effect from the year of
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Australia: Victoria government announces off-the-plan stamp duty discount
Victoria’s government introduced a temporary off-the-plan land transfer stamp duty concession starting 21 October 2024. This duty concession will be valid for 12 months and will allow a 100% deduction of outstanding construction and
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Australia: New South Wales introduces duty, land tax rules for corporate collective investment vehicles
The New South Wales government presented the Revenue Legislation Further Amendment Bill 2024 in the NSW Parliament on 16 October 2024. The Revenue Legislation Further Amendment Bill 2024 will amend various Acts to enhance the integrity of the
See MoreIMF/World Bank Annual Meetings: World Economic Outlook
The October 2024 update of the World Economic Outlook was launched during the IMF/World Bank annual meetings. The report notes that global growth is expected to remain stable but at relatively low levels. The growth projection of 3.2% in 2024 and
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UN Tax Committee: Indirect Tax Issues
On 18 October 2024 the subcommittee on indirect tax issues presented a series of papers on VAT guidance for developing countries. The papers had been presented to the Tax Committee for comment at the previous session and were now submitted in their
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Iceland consults tax law and excise duty changes
Iceland’s Finance and Economic Affairs Minister has proposed a draft bill for public consultation on 15 October 2024, putting forward various taxes and duties on lodging, VAT, income, state treasury income, public tax collection, alcohol, tobacco,
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