Finland: Deductibility of interest limitations
On 13 June 2012 it was published that the Finnish Government has released a draft regarding a bill to limit the deductibility of interest expenses in business taxation. The goal of this proposed regulation is to secure Finland’s tax base and to
See MoreHong Kong: No Tax Cut for SMEs
It was reported on 31 May 2012, that the government will not introduce a lower profits tax rate for micro-enterprises. There were about 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong by the end of 2011, accounting for more than 98%
See MoreUK: Tax Calculator App Launched
On 30 May 2012 it was reported that a new mobile phone application launched by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will allow UK taxpayers to calculate how much tax they pay and how the government spends it. The app hints at the type of information which
See MoreSlovakia Unveils Special Bank Tax Plans
Slovakia’s Prime Minister has recently announced plans to introduce a special windfall tax on banks and to extend the existing tax on banking deposits, as part of government efforts to reduce the budget deficit. The Government plans to introduce a
See MoreSpain- New procedures on CIT and non-residents tax returns (regarding PEs)
By Order HAP/1023/2012 of 11 May 2012, the Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations of Spain approved the new forms, procedures and the stipulated periods for the corporate income tax (CIT) and the non-residents income tax returns (regarding
See MoreIndia- introduction of an APA program
The Finance Minister of India introduced the Finance Bill, 2012, on 16 March 2012 in which with respect to transfer pricing, the introduction of an advance pricing agreement (APA) program as well as other transfer pricing-related items has been
See MoreHong Kong launches APA programme
On March 29, 2012, the Inland Revenue Department (“IRD”) took an important step forward by formalizing the Advance Pricing Arrangement (“APA”) programme in Hong Kong. The IRD issued Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes Number 48
See MoreFrance Publishes Revised 2012 ‘Black List’
It was reported on 26 April 2012 that the French Finance Minister and Budget Minister have recently updated the country’s ‘black list’ of countries deemed to be ‘uncooperative’ in tax matters. The revised 2012 list is confirmed in a
See MoreCanada Promotes Budget’s Trade Benefits
Canada's 2012 Budget will help expand trade and open new markets for businesses, the Minister in charge has said. Ted Menzies, the Minister of State (Finance), spoke at the Economic Club of Canada in Ottawa to promote the benefits of the new Budget,
See MoreUK Legislates For Budget Tax Measures
The UK government has published the Finance Bill 2012, which legislates for tax measures included in both the 2012 and 2011 Budgets. The Bill provides for an increase in the tax-free personal allowance to GBP 8,105 (USD12, 959) from April, 2012,
See MoreFinland Unveils 2012 Supplementary Budget
On 28 March 2012, it was reported that the Finish government has recently unveiled details of its 2012 supplementary budget proposal, revising the tax revenue estimate upwards and providing for an increase in expenditure. It has also published
See MoreUK Budget Delivers Tax Cuts
The UK has delivered a Budget that unashamedly backs businesses, slashing the top rate of personal income tax and accelerating corporate tax cuts. Currently charged at 50% on all income over GBP150, 000, from April, 2013 the rate will drop to
See MorePeru to Boost Tax Take
On 22 March 2012, Peru's Finance Minister announced that Peruvian authorities are to target non-compliant taxpayers, aiming to boost the tax take by 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) within a four-year period, whilst maintaining tax rates. The
See MoreUS Senate Passes Highways Tax Bill
On March 14, 2012, the United States Senate passed, on a bipartisan basis, a bill to provide for an extension of highway-related taxes and the funding of infrastructural spending by the Federal Highway Trust Fund (FHTF), which included an anti-tax
See MoreNew Zealand Pushes Tax Credits for ‘Payroll Giving’
New Zealand's Revenue Minister has praised the creation of a new website which offers information for employers seeking to establish Payroll Giving schemes in their workplaces. The country's Payroll Giving is a scheme which allows an employee to
See MoreIndia’s Indirect Tax Revenues Peak
India's indirect tax revenue rose 9.6% in February, with the government having now collected 88.7% of its revenue target for the fiscal year to date. The latest statistics show that indirect tax revenue collections hit INR314bn (USD6.3bn), up 9.6%
See MoreUK Blocks Tax Avoidance Scheme
On 28 February 2012 it was reported that the UK has taken steps to close what it calls two highly abusive tax avoidance schemes, disclosed to HM Revenue and Customs (HRMC) by a bank. The aggressive schemes are designed to work around legislation
See MoreChina to pursue tax reforms
According to a statement by China’s State Council, after a meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao, the government promised to push forward its structural reform programmes, including tax measures, to improve the country’s economic development and
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