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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China imposes retaliatory tariffs on select US imports
China’s Tariff Commission of the State Council has released the Announcement of CTC No.1 on 4 February 2025, announcing additional tariffs on certain US imports effective from 10 February 2025. China’s new tariffs on US imports include a 15%
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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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EU Commission proposes changes to regulations on US import tariffs
The European Commission on 3 January 2025 has published a proposal for a Regulation Of The European Parliament And Of The Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/196 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 February 2018 on additional
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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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US to impose 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico imports starting February says President Trump
US President Donald Trump has said he will follow through with his threat to impose a 25% border tax or tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting tomorrow, 1 February 2025. However, Trump has said he is yet to decide whether oil imported
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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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IMF Working Paper: Is Tax Policy Supporting a Costly Industrial Policy in Mozambique
An IMF working paper written by Santos Bila, Utkarsh Kumar and Alexis Meyer-Cirkel with the title Is Tax Policy Costly Industrial Policy in Mozambique? Finds that tax advantages do not compensate for shortcomings in economic conditions. The
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IMF Working Paper: Strengthening Tax Governance Through Legal Design
An IMF working paper of 17 January 2025 written by L. Sofrona, C. Waerzeggers and B. Crowley with the title Strengthening Tax Governance Through Legal Design looks at tax governance in tax administration and how this can be strengthened. The
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