Japan: Confirms Consumption Tax Rate Changes by 2015
From April 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, the rate of Japanese consumption tax will be increased from the current 5% rate to a higher 8% rate. The government is also considering a further increase from 8% to 10% from October 1, 2015. Also under
See MoreIndia: Finance Minister presents the Interim Budget
India’s Finance Minister presented the Interim Budget for 2014-15 in Parliament on 17 February 2014. In keeping with the convention in presenting an interim budget, amendments have not been proposed to the income tax laws. There have however been
See MoreCanada: Tax provisions in British Columbia’s 2014 budget
On 18 February 2014, British Columbia’s Finance Minister delivered the province’s 2014 budget. The British Columbia 2014 budget: Does not propose any general corporate or individual (personal) income tax rate changes; Would extend the
See MoreSwitzerland – fiscal policy framework
The Swiss Federal Council has set out the fiscal policy framework that will be followed in the next budget process. The financial plan for 2015-2017 has been updated based on the 2013 fiscal results and new macroeconomic figures. Although the
See MorePhilippines: Stock Exchange Presses For Tax Reform on REITs
The Philippines Stock Exchanges (PSE) will attempt to persuade the Government to loosen up regulations, most importantly the tax rules that apply to real-estate investment trusts. The tax rules in relation to real-estate investment trusts (REITs)
See MoreNigeria: Potential risks in transfer pricing regulations “safe harbor”
Regulation 15 of the Nigerian transfer pricing regulations provides for a transfer pricing safe harbor. A safe harbor is a statutory provision that relieves a given category of taxpayers or transactions from specific obligations otherwise imposed by
See MoreBelgium changes Film Tax Shelter
Following consultation with business and parliamentary discussions the Belgian Council of Ministers has approved plans to modify the tax regime benefiting the film industry. Production companies in Belgium are required under the current regime to
See MoreUS: IRS Publishes Updated Tax Guide for Aliens
The US Internal Revenue Service has released a revised United States Tax Guide for Aliens, providing guidance for resident and nonresident aliens for use in preparing their 2013 tax returns, and, in particular, how to determine their residence
See MoreUS: IRS Apologizes To Taxpayers for Poor Service
With its funding restricted within the 2014 Appropriations Bill, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner has indicated that taxpayers will have to exercise patience when trying to contact the agency. Among other problems the
See MoreUS Lawmakers Plead for Sales Tax Deduction Renewal
A bipartisan group of 57 Members has, in a letter to the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, sought a renewal of the United States state and local sales tax deduction, which expired on January 1, 2014. The state and local sales tax
See MoreUruguay: Extension of tax refund for exports
Uruguay has extended the 4% tax refund for exports of specific products to 30 June 2014 through Executive Decree 393/013. The aim of the measure is to protect different industries that were negatively affected by the decrease in international demand
See MoreECJ: Deduction of input VAT on pension fund management costs
In a Revenue and Customs Brief HMRC has set out its position on VAT on pension fund management costs. This follows decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the case of Fiscale Eenheid PPG Holdings BV regarding an employer's entitlement to
See MoreSwiss Finance Directors Request Corporate Tax Reform
The Swiss Conference of Cantonal Finance Directors (FDK) has emphasized on the importance of reforming the corporate tax system, making some preliminary recommendations. The FDK believes that some tax measures should be implemented quickly within
See MoreSpanish capital gains tax rules found to be discriminatory by Supreme Court
In a decision on 25 October 2013 in the Brambles France case (appeal No 1374/2011), Spain's Supreme Court ruled that the capital gains tax on non-residents may be discriminatory in some cases. The case involved a French company that sold its shares
See MoreSouth Korea: reducing stock option taxation
South Korea announced measures on 5 February 2014 to ease the tax burden on stock options for the venture capital and start-up sector. Early this year, the Government finalized a range of tax incentives, which were first announced in May 2013, to
See MoreSouth Africa reminds employers to make ETI claims
South African businesses have been reminded that their first monthly claim for the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI), which came into effect on January 1 2014, should be submitted by February 7, 2014. The ETI is an incentive mainly aimed at encouraging
See MoreRussia: Ministry of Finance clarifies the transfer pricing rules
The Ministry of Finance Letter No. 03-01-18/53941, issued on 10 December 2013, clarifies the rules to determine the income for controlled transactions purposes. The Ministry of Finance specified that transactions defined in article 105.14 of the Tax
See MoreRomania: Prime Minister considers tax breaks for reinvested profits
Romania's Prime Minister has said that he hopes to have details ready on a planned tax break on reinvested profits in time for the next International Monetary Fund (IMF) visit to the country in April. The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister
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