World Customs Organization Discusses the Future of Customs
The Permanent Technical Committee of the World Customs Organization (WCO) discussed the Future of Customs at its meeting of 14 to 16 October 2015. The meeting considered issues put forward by the WCO Virtual Working Group on the Future of Customs.
See MoreMali: IMF Report on Local Taxation
Following the conclusion of the work of a technical assistance mission on fiscal policy the IMF has compiled a report containing technical advice for the Mali authorities. The report dated July 2015 has been published on the IMF website. The report
See MoreWTO: World Trade Report for 2015 looks at benefits of Trade Facilitation Agreement
On 26 October 2015 the World Trade Organization (WTO) published its World Trade Report for 2015. This report looks at the benefits of full implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. The report finds that developing countries will
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS issues revised tax guide for foreign workers
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has revised its guide for individuals not resident in South Africa about the tax treatment of South Africa-sourced income. The guide addressed the point that foreigners working in South Africa are only
See MoreRomania: Proposed reduction of dividend tax from 2016
The Romanian government is planning to cut dividend tax from 2016. At present dividend payments are taxed at 16%. This rate will be reduced to five percent from January 1, 2016, rather than from January 1, 2017 as previously planned. The
See MoreKenya submits Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies to the IMF
A Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies prepared by Kenya on 31 August 2015 in connection with a request for financial support from the IMF was published on the IMF website on 22 October 2015. The Memorandum notes that the Kenyan economy
See MoreThailand- Corporate tax rate of 20% becomes permanent
The Royal Cabinet of Thailand ruled on 13 October 2015 that the corporate income tax rate will be permanently kept at 20% effective from 1 January 2016. Previously the rate was reduced to 23% from 30% for the tax year 2012 and temporarily to 20% for
See MoreMalaysia: Budget 2016
The Malaysian Prime Minister announced Malaysia's 2016 budget on 23 October 2015 highlighting some tax measures including corporate and personal income taxation changes. Corporate taxation A special reinvestment allowance of 60% of qualifying
See MoreOECD: Regional Meeting on BEPS
The Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Meeting and Governmental Workshop on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) met on 21 to 23 October 2015 to discuss the implementation and monitoring of the BEPS outcomes drawn up by the OECD. On 5
See MoreRomania: IMF issues report on fiscal and tax policy
The IMF has issued a report on Romania’s economy following the conclusion of discussions on recent economic developments and budget plans. Policy priorities include maintaining fiscal discipline and pushing ahead with structural reforms. The
See MoreNigeria: Federal High Court reversed a decision regarding companies fixed base
The Federal High Court has reversed a decision of the Tax Appeal Tribunal in a case concerning if a corporation had a fixed base in Nigeria and concluded that the foreign corporation did not have a fixed base in Nigeria and was not responsible for
See MoreItaly: Published Legislative Decree to Implement Tax Measures
Italy has Published Legislative Decree No. 147 of 14 September 2015 to Implement Tax Measures. The following issues are the main corporate tax measures as per the Legislative Decree: As per article 3 of the Legislative Decree, Dividends directly
See MoreUK: Tax Gap Still Decreasing
According to statistics released this week by HMRC the tax gap in the UK decreased to 6.4% of the tax due in 2013/14. This represents a figure of around GBP 34 billion. The tax gap is the difference between the tax that should be collected and the
See MoreNamibia-Increased VAT registration threshold
In Namibia the VAT registration threshold will be increased from 1 November 2016. The threshold will increase from NA$200,000 to
See MoreDenmark: Government publishes a proposal to introduce CbC reporting
The Danish government published a proposal on 18 September 2015 to amend the current tax law, and provide measures that would increase the Danish transfer pricing documentation requirements and include country-by-country (CbC) reporting. The
See MoreIMF: Report on fairness of Tunisia’s tax system
Following the conclusion of consultations with Tunisia under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement the IMF issued on 15 October 2015 a staff report and selected issues paper including an Annex on the subject of fair taxation in
See MoreIreland: Budget 2016 announced
On 13 October 2015, the Finance Minister of Ireland announced Budget proposals for 2016 in the context of the country being the fastest growing economy in Europe for 2015, with GDP growth at 6.2%. The Minister also published a document
See MoreBulgaria: Draft bill to amend tax laws for 2016
The Council of Ministers has approved the bill for amendments to tax laws for 2016 and submitted the draft on 13th October 2015 to the parliament for consideration. The major improvements are as follows: Dividend withholding tax: Implementation of
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