New Zealand introduces tax policy work programme
New Zealand’s Minister of Revenue has introduced a tax policy work programme on 13 November 2024, which aims to simplify tax and reduce compliance costs, address integrity risks, and improve fiscal sustainability to rebuild the economy. The
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Chile consults luxury goods tax amendments
Chile’s Tax Administration (Servicio de Impuestos Internos, SII) has launched a public consultation regarding a Draft Circular which proposes various amendments to the luxury goods tax. It outlines provisions regarding tax law amendments,
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US: Illinois confirms cloud software not taxable
Illinois has clarified that software delivered via a cloud-based system is exempt from the state's sales tax. This was clarified in the General Information Letter, prepared on 9 October 2024 and published by the Illinois Department of Revenue on
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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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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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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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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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Costa Rica proposes 5% tax on international flight tickets
Costa Rica’s Tourism Board (ICT) issued a draft regulation for public consultation which outlines new guidelines for the collection, management, and enforcement of the 5% tax on international flight tickets sold within Costa Rica. The draft
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Poland to raise excise duty on tobacco products
Poland’s Council of Ministers approved a bill to raise excise duty rates on tobacco products on 1 October 2024. The tobacco products that are subject to increased excise duty include cigars, novelty tobacco products, raw tobacco, and electronic
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Australia: ATO implements additional annual GST return for large taxpayers
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has introduced a new supplementary annual goods and services tax (GST) return for large taxpayers who have undergone a GST assurance review on 3 October 2024. The new GST tax measure is part of a pilot
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European Commission urges Hungary to scrap retail tax
The European Commission announced that it decided to initiate an infringement procedure against Hungary on 3 October 2024, urging the country to eliminate its retail tax regime which is deemed non-compliant with the freedom of establishment. The
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OECD urges Malaysia to reintroduce GST to meet deficit target
According to a recent report published in the OECD Economic Surveys on Malaysia for 2024 on 27 August 2024, the OECD recommended Malaysia reinstate the goods and services tax (GST) at a low rate, coupled with targeted social transfers for vulnerable
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Slovak Republic plans to extend excise duty exemption for small renewable energy producers
The Slovak Republic Parliament has agreed to consider a draft bill that amends the Law on Excise Duty on Electricity, on 22 August 2024, addressing the regulations concerning electricity generated from renewable sources by small energy
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Australia publishes guidance on GST for food, drinks, health products
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has provided guidance to help taxpayers navigate the goods and services tax (GST) classification of food, beverages, and health products, clarifying whether these items are subject to tax or GST-free. ATO has
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US: SST Board finds Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio sales tax systems non-compliant, seeks public input
The US Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board (SST) has found potential non-compliance with the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA) in Georgia, Nebraska, and Ohio during its 2024 Annual State Compliance Review. The SST has requested
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Germany: Tax revenue falls by 7.9% in July 2024
Germany’s Ministry of Finance revealed that the federal and regional governments’ tax revenues significantly dropped in July 2024, compared to July 2023. The findings were published in a report on Tuesday, 22 August. This decline was
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