United Kingdom – HMRC report on offshore tax evasion
The United Kingdom government is continuing to take action against artificial tax avoidance and tax evasion. In this connection the tax administration (HMRC) has issued a "corporate report," which sets out how HMRC addresses offshore tax evasion and
See MoreUK – Shadow Foreign Secretary calls for maximum tax devolution for Scotland
The UK’s shadow foreign secretary has stated that the further devolution of tax powers could strengthen the accountability of the Scottish Parliament. In April 2015 the devolution of Landfill Tax will be carried out and a new Land and Buildings
See MoreGibraltar offers new pension Schemes to expats
These contributions may exceed the usual UK limit of GBP50,000 per year. This scheme is being offered in addition to Gibraltar's traditional Qualifying Recognized Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS), which are often used by UK expats to transfer their
See MoreUK: Bitcoin VAT exemption
The UK tax administration HMRC would exempt transactions in Bitcoins from the 20% UK VAT net on each sale or on profit margins, although exchange commissions would remain liable. HMRC originally provided guidance in November 2013 that Bitcoins
See MoreUAE: No Tax for Individual Income
The UAE Finance Minister has confirmed that, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) does not plan to initiate an income tax for individuals. The country is however exploring the possibility of taxing companies and introducing fees for newly introduced
See MoreTurkish electronic VAT invoices delayed until April 2014
The introduction of Turkish electronic VAT invoices has been delayed until 1 April 2014 due to continuing teething problems. Until this date, tax registered persons may continue to use paper-based VAT invoices. The original edict (Tax Procedural
See MoreSwitzerland – trade association warn against Fuel Surtax Hike
Swiss trade association has warned the Swiss Government against a rise in the mineral oil surtax imposed on motor fuels. The Swiss Federal Council has previously indicated that raising the levy is one of the options available to place the financing
See MoreSwitzerland: Revised guidance on taxation of principal companies
The Swiss Federal Tax Administration (SFTA) has provided the cantonal tax authorities with revised guidance on how to apply rules that affect the taxation of principal companies, which will impact both existing and new principal company rulings. The
See MoreSwitzerland – Committee rejects Flat Tax Initiative
The Swiss Committee for Economic Affairs and Taxes of the National Council (CEAT-N) has recommended that the popular initiative calling for an end to the flat tax regime currently benefiting wealthy foreigners in the Confederation be rejected. The
See MoreSpain – published social security contributions decrease
The Official Gazette published Royal Decree-Law 3/2014 on 1 March 2014. This law contains urgent measures to promote employment via the contracting of workers for an indefinite period. The Decree-Law sets out the circumstances in which a flat social
See MoreSpain’s opposition leader proposes low-income tax package
In the course of the State of the Nation debate in Congress, Spain's Socialist Party (PSOE) leader proposed that a tax package be introduced to protect low-income earners in Spain, and in particular to protect families. The proposal related to
See MoreSpain Slashes Labor Taxes To Create Jobs
Spain has announced plans to significantly lower social security contributions for employers who recruit permanent members of staff. The Prime Minister has suggested that an upwards revision of the growth forecast for this year and next will enable
See MoreSouth African Poll Criticizes Employment Tax Incentive
A poll conducted by the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT) appears to indicate that the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) is not succeeding in its aims. Although large businesses are aware of the incentive and have consulted their
See MoreSouth African Budget Sets Up Small Business Tax Reforms
South Africa’s 2014 budget includes some measures resulting from the work of the Tax Review Committee. The Committee's recommendations relate to the compliance burden of small and medium-sized enterprises. In particular, the turnover tax regime,
See MoreSouth Africa – Transfer pricing, cross-border proposals in 2014 budget
South Africa’s 2014 budget contains proposals for changes to the transfer pricing rules and cross-border taxation. Among the transfer pricing and cross-border tax provisions in the 2014 budget are the following measures: Secondary adjustment for
See MoreSouth Africa – Tax proposals in 2014 budget
The South African Finance Minister delivered his 2014 Budget Speech on 26 February 2014. Among the general corporate tax proposals in the budget are measures to: Limit interest deductions for reorganizations and acquisitions; Address the refund
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS Issues Guidance on Double Taxation Relief
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a draft interpretation note for comment on the rebates and deductions available in the country's tax code for foreign taxes on income. The note points out that residents of South Africa are subject
See MoreSingapore: over 1.2m Taxpayers Need Not File Returns
The tax filing season in Singapore started on March 1, 2014. Around 1.23m taxpayers will not need to file a return, as more people benefit from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore's (IRAS) No-Filing Service (NFS). Taxpayers who have been
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