Pakistan: Budget 2014/15 introduces GST and excise changes
With the Budget 2014/15 Pakistan is introducing a number of minor changes to the Goods & Services Tax (GST) and Excise Duty regimes from July 2014. Following changes will take place: Simplified GST regime introduced for the retail
See MoreVenezuela – Regulations regarding commercial property leases
A new legislative decree has published in late May 2014 including changes to the rules regarding commercial property leases in Venezuela. As determined by the tax authorities, the decree also establishes the invoice provided by the landlord to the
See MoreOECD: Lower Labor Taxes Would Benefit Germany
In a published survey on Germany the OECD has suggested that the tax on labor could be cut while social security contributions could also be decreased for those on low incomes. This could promote growth, but currently Germany is too reliant on taxes
See MoreFrance- Lawmakers Seek Simpler Tax Regularization Scheme
French members of parliament have indicated that offering taxpayers a chance for tax regularization through a lump sum 10 percent tax on assets repatriated would raise revenue for the government of around EUR 10 billion. Around half of this sum
See MoreEuropean Inheritance Tax Burdens Compared
A recent examination of inheritance tax systems in European countries suggests that there is no consistency in the way that the taxes are applied to family business transfers. The way the tax operates is greatly influenced by the tax relief that can
See MoreBrazil – Tax Hike on Drinks Postponed
Brazil is delaying until September 2014 a proposed rise in indirect tax on certain types of drink. The original proposal was that the tax on energy drinks, beer and some fruit juice would increase by around 1.5 percent on average from 1 June 2014.
See MoreSwitzerland to Retain Flat Tax For Wealthy Expatriates
Switzerland’s National Council has voted against the proposed withdrawal of the flat tax regime for high wealth foreigners. The Council supported that argument that the flat tax makes Switzerland an attractive location for high wealth individuals
See MoreIreland Eases Rules for LPT Concessions
Certain relief from Ireland’s Local Property Tax (LPT) is available for some disabled individuals. The Finance Minister has now announced that the scope of these reliefs is to be extended. The exemptions relate to property that are built or
See MoreUK:HMRC challenged on VAT default surcharge
The victory of a newspaper group in a legal action against HMRC in relation to a large VAT penalty shows the importance of the proportionality principle of EU law. The large fine related to a late VAT return and the judgment illustrates that
See MoreIreland Increases Carbon Tax Rates
With effect from May 1 2014 the solid fuel carbon tax is to be raised. This change will bring the tax up to a level that is equivalent to EUR20 (USD28) per tonne of CO2 emitted, in line with the tax payable in respect of other fossil fuels. This
See MoreHong Kong Reviews Efficacy of New Stamp Duties
The Legislative Council in Hong Kong recently requested information to enable it to assess the effect of tax changes that were brought in to ensure that the housing market did not overheat. These measures included the Special Stamp Duty (SSD)
See MoreBrazil- Taxes on Drinks Ahead Of World Cup Increases
To take full benefit from the large number of visitors to the country this year, Brazil is to increase taxes on certain categories of drink such as beer, energy drinks and some fruit juice before the beginning of the soccer World Cup which is to be
See MoreSwitzerland – Committee rejects IHT and VAT changes
A Swiss government committed has rejected an inheritance tax proposal from the Socialist Party and has also rejected a suggestion to introduce a consumption tax on energy in place of the VAT. The inheritance tax suggested by the Socialists would
See MoreLithuania – VAT and excise tax updates
Lithuania is supplying additional explanatory notes on the VAT law so as to given guidance to taxpayers involved in mixed activities and to give practical case details on derivatives. If taxpayers refer to notes provided by the tax authorities this
See MoreIreland and the UK levy the highest rates of inheritance or estate tax
A recent report published by a firm of accountants has found that Ireland and the UK levy the highest rates of inheritance or estate tax of any major world economies. The report computes that Ireland takes on average 26 percent from the estate of a
See MoreItaly: new rules on taxation of digital economy services partially repealed
Law Decree No. 16/2014 was published in the Official Gazette No. 54. Under article 2(1)(a) of the Law Decree, some of the new rules on taxation of digital economy services have been repealed. These rules required advertising services purchased
See MoreCanada: 100% surtax may be imposed on selected U.S. imports
Canada may go ahead with the imposition of a 100% surtax on selected U.S. imports in the first half of 2015. The surtax may affect Canadian businesses that import or export products. This proposed measure is a result of the United State's refusal to
See MoreAustria’s Finance Minister clarifies FTT Start in 2016
Austria’s Finance Minister has clarified that a European Union (EU) financial transactions tax (FTT) will not come into effect until at least 2016. Austria’s State Budgets for 2014 and 2015 will reflect the delays and will not make provision for
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