OECD official suggests alternatives to arm’s length standard may be needed
As part of the action plan on base erosion and profit shifting consideration is being given to ways to improve the transfer pricing rules. According to an official of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the arm’s
See MoreUS: IRS Gives Bonuses to Tax-Delinquent Employees
In the US the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) provides independent oversight of the activities of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). TIGTA aims to ensure economy and efficiency of administration within the IRS and is
See MoreMexican tax reform of 2014 imposes deadlines for Maquiladora companies
The Mexican tax reform of 2014 has introduced a number of important changes for maquiladora enterprises. The changes apply to companies that are operating under the requirements of the Decree for the Promotion of the Manufacturing, Maquiladora and
See MoreJapan – Corporate income tax rate reduction effective April 2014
Following the enactment of Japan’s 2014 tax reform a decrease of the effective corporate income tax rate is in force from April 2014. The fall in the effective tax rate is a result of the repeal of the special reconstruction surtax. This surtax
See MoreItaly Introduces e-advertising Tax Legislation
Italy has introduced a tax measure under which foreign companies must apply for a VAT number if they intend to engage in the sale of online advertising to enterprises in Italy. This measure is to take effect on 1 July 2014. The delay in carrying out
See MoreEgyptian Government to widen the income tax base and introduce VAT
Egypt’s Finance Minister has announced that the interim Government is in the process of drawing up amendments to the tax law aimed at widening the tax base and to dealing with the problem of tax evasion and avoidance. Egypt intends to broaden the
See MoreChinese exporters gain VAT refund
The Chinese State Administration of Taxation (SAT) has given more time to exporters to make an application for a VAT refund. Enterprises that export goods from China may apply for permission to make input tax reclaims to obtain a VAT refund. An
See MoreAustria Focuses on Income Tax Reform
The Austrian Government intends to go ahead with proposals to simplify the income tax system by the second half of 2014, the Finance Minister has announced. He commented that payroll taxes in Austria are too complex and place a compliance burden on
See MoreAustralia: Draft ATO guidance on new transfer pricing rules
New draft tax Rulings and draft Practice Statements outline the Australian Tax Office’s approach to transfer pricing and the standards that are required from taxpayers. Businesses need to urgently consider these publications in order to manage tax
See MoreSaudi Arabia issues new Ministerial Resolution amending tax by-laws
Saudi Arabia issued Ministerial Resolution No 1776 on 19 March 2014 to give effect to changes in some of the implementing regulations of the tax law. The resolution is effective from the date of issue and will apply to all tax cases including those
See MoreUS: IRS Should Improve Efficiency to Counteract Reduced Funding
The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent agency that reports to the Congress and is often referred to as the congressional watchdog. The organization is headed up by the Comptroller General of the United States and
See MoreBelgium – Tax Penalties for Non-Compliance ranging 10% to 200%
Belgium is determined to enforce tax penalties to ensure that taxpayers submit their latest tax returns on time. The Finance Ministry has encouraged taxpayers to send in a complete and correct income tax declaration for 2013, to avoid incurring a
See MoreSingapore Sees More Taxpayers Filing Earlier
According to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) a greater number of taxpayers have filed their tax returns early this year. Statistics issued by the IRAS show that 75 percent of taxpayers managed to submit their returns by April 1,
See MoreJapanese Panel Looks For Gradual Corporate Tax Cuts
There has for some time been concern in Japan that the relatively high effective corporate tax rate is making the country less competitive. There has therefore been pressure for the rate to be lowered to a level more in line with those of other
See MoreChinese Tax Break Compliance for Small Businesses
On April 8, 2014, China’s State Administration of Taxation (SAT) published the details of simplified arrangements for micro and small enterprises that are looking to gain access to additional tax reductions made available by the Ministry of
See MoreOECD – VAT guidelines for cross-border trade approved
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has indicated that 86 countries have signed up to the new set of OECD guidelines relating to value added tax (VAT) or goods and services tax (GST) regulations. The guidelines cover
See MoreUS: IRS Assists Taxpayers on Estimated Tax Payments
In the US the IRS has given some assistance to taxpayers who are due to make estimated tax payment. This group of taxpayers includes individuals who are not subject to tax withholding tax source from wages, such as self employed persons, and people
See MoreUS Congress Examines Small Business Tax Problems
The burden of tax compliance is often much greater for small businesses than for larger enterprises. A new National Small Business Association (NSBA) tax survey indicates that a majority of small businesses spend around 40 hours preparing their tax
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