Singapore: Budget 2014
Singapore has recently issued the 2014 budget, containing provisions related to introduction of the Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) Scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), PIC benefits on training employees, the extension of the
See MoreSingapore simplifies stamp duty rate regime
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has issued an e-Tax Guide explaining the stamp duty changes introduced in the Government's 2014 Budget on February 21, 2014. In Singapore stamp duty is payable on instruments relating to the
See MorePhilippines: Congress to prioritize bill raising tax exemption cap on 13th-month pay
Despite objection from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Congress will prioritize the passage of the bill raising the tax exemption cap on 13th-month pay, Christmas bonus and other work benefits. Congress leaders have agreed to give "urgent
See MoreNetherlands – Advocate General’s opinion on sister company tax consolidation
The Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has found that the Dutch tax rules are in breach of the freedom of establishment in that the rules deny tax consolidation (fiscal unity) between— A Dutch parent company
See MoreNetherlands Simplifies Individual Tax Filing
Commencing from March 1 2014, the Netherlands tax administration will issue approximately six million pre-completed tax forms to individuals, and around four million tax returns that have been completed in part. The taxpayers are requested to verify
See MoreNamibia’s Budget Recognizes Increase in Tax Revenue
Namibia’s 2014 Budget provides for a 20% increase in tax revenues. The Government recognizes that, while the domestic revenue stream will contribute significantly to expected revenue, a significant risk to Namibia's fiscal outlook derives from
See MoreMexico promises an unchanged tax regime until 2018
Following the completion of tax reforms, the Mexican Government has now signed a Tax Certainty Agreement under which Mexico's tax system is to remain unchanged throughout the remaining period of the current government. This means that the tax regime
See MoreItaly: Prime Minister Explains ‘Double-Digit’ Cut to Italian Taxes
The Italian Prime minister has issued a clarification about a statement made earlier in respect of a double digit reduction in the tax burden. The reduction would amount to tens of billions of Euros and in this respect was a double digit
See MoreItalian Government Empowered To Push Through Tax Overhaul
The Italian parliament has now approved the "Legge Delega," the tax reform law granting special powers to the Government to introduce a series of measures within the next year. The Legge Delega sets out general reform principles, which are to be
See MoreIreland- Announcement of LPT Amnesty
Irish residential property owners who have so far failed to pay their 2012 Household Charge or 2013 and 2014 local property tax (LPT), or have undervalued their property or claimed an exemption they were not entitled to, will be given until March 31
See MoreIndian Government wants tax officials to be more friendly
The Indian Government has requested that tax officials act as "facilitators" rather than "administrators," and ensure that the taxation system is as taxpayer friendly as possible. The Finance Minister has suggested that procedures should be
See MoreIndian Capital Gains Tax slows Saudi Investment
Concerns have been raised by foreign investors about the effect of India's taxation system, particularly its capital gains tax, on foreign investment. The issue was raised during the India-Saudi Arabia Business Forum in Delhi. The Forum also looked
See MoreIndia: Income Tax department identifies 2.17 million potential non-filers
After sending notices to 1.21 million Permanent Account Number (PAN) cardholders who had not filed their income tax returns, the income tax department has now identified another 2.17 million potential non-filers. It had already sent letters to
See MoreIceland enacted its own transfer pricing legislation
Iceland has recently enacted its own transfer pricing legislation, which became effective from January 1, 2014. The transfer pricing rules are now regulated by Article 57 of Act No. 90/2003 on Income Tax based on the arm's length standard. There
See MoreHong Kong: Working Group suggests Fiscal Policies are Unsustainable
The Working Group on Long-Term Fiscal Planning has suggested that a future structural fiscal gap will require the Government to find additional tax revenue. Hong Kong's overall fiscal position in the short- to medium-term remains healthy. In the
See MoreHong Kong – Tax provisions in budget 2014-2015
The Hong Kong budget for 2014-2015 contains tax proposals affecting the financial services sector. Among these are measures that would: Propose a review of the requirements under the Inland Revenue Ordinance for interest deductions in the
See MoreHong Kong – Stamp duty change for residential property transactions
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has passed a bill to amend the stamp duty imposed on residential property transactions. The measures are effective retroactively from 27 October 2012. The new measure includes: Enhanced special stamp duty rates;
See MoreHong Kong- Budget considers Fiscal Sustainability Over Longer-Term
Competitiveness was the theme of Hong Kong’s 2014/15 budget, but a significant portion of the budget speech looked at the maintenance of Hong Kong's healthy public finances in the face of increased spending on education, social welfare and
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