OECD issues new guidance on disclosure requirements and information exchange
On 7 August 2015 the OECD issued three guidance documents for tax administrations to help them in their fight against tax evasion. These are the Common Reporting Standard Implementation Handbook; a second edition of the Offshore Voluntary
See MoreThailand-Tax incentive for the expenditures of research and development (R&D) of technology and innovation
The cabinet of Thailand has passed a tax incentive for the expenditures occurred in the R&D sector of technology and innovation. The tax incentive has become effective as from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. Accordingly a tax deduction of up
See MoreAustralia: Stronger penalties to fight against multinational tax avoidance
The Government of Australia announced double the maximum administrative penalties that can be applied by the Commissioner of Taxation to large companies that enter into tax avoidance and profit shifting schemes. The increased penalties, under
See MoreAustralia: New transfer pricing documentation standards
On 6 August 2015, the Australian Treasury released exposure draft law to implement reporting requirements for large multinational businesses in line with recommendations by the OECD and G20. In the 2015-16 Budget, the Australian government announced
See MoreGhana: Finance Minister Presented To Parliament “Income Tax Bill 2015”
The Deputy Minister for Finance submitted the Income Tax Bill 2015 to the Parliament on 30 July 2015. Government is seeking to broaden the tax base and reorganise the various income tax law provisions to simplify them and make them more
See MoreUS: IRS Issues Notice 2015-54 Limiting Ability to Transfer Property to a Partnership Tax Free
The IRS and Treasury published Notice 2015-54 on August 6, 2015 modifying the rules applicable to the contribution of built-in gain property to a partnership. Under the Notice, a U.S. transferor is required to recognize any built-in gain on the
See MoreUS Treasury to develop regulations implementing CbC reporting requirement
US Treasury announced on 31 July 2015 that the US government intends to develop regulations implementing the OECD/G20 base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) action plan guidance on country-by-country (CbC) reporting by multinational
See MoreGhana: Tax Authority Formed Special Tax Compliance Taskforce
The revenue authority of Ghana has formed a special revenue collection taskforce including 40 members. The aim of taskforce is to enforce compliance with the country's tax code and to encourage actual or potential tax defaulters to honor their tax
See MoreChile: Taxation of foreign investors and change of residence
The tax authority in Chile has issued Circular No. 1985 in relation to the taxation of Chilean-sourced investment income of foreign investors. The Circular explains the responsibility of the foreign investor to advise any change of residence to
See MoreSlovak Republic: VAT rate on meat products reduced
Slovakia cut 10% VAT rate on fresh meat products from the standard rate of 20%. Hopefully, this new rate will entry into force from 1st January
See MoreUK: HMRC comments on reduced VAT rate for installation of energy saving materials
On 31 July 2015 the UK tax authority HMRC published Revenue and Customs Brief 13 (2015) on the reduced rate of VAT on the installation of energy saving materials. The European Commission commenced proceedings in the European Court of Justice as in
See MoreKazakhstan: President signs a Law on pensions
The President has signed a law on 4th August 2015 to amend the process of obligatory pension contributions and budget funded state pension payments. The main amendments are given below: Employers Employers are obliged to withhold from salary and
See MoreCyprus and Iran sign Income Tax Treaty
The Republic of Cyprus and the Government of Iran signed an Income Tax Treaty on August 4, 2015 for the Avoidance of Double Taxation. The treaty will come into force after the two countries exchange ratification instruments. Under the treaty, the
See MoreIMF comments on fiscal and tax policy in Kazakhstan
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded discussions with Kazakhstan under Article IV of its articles of association and on 5 August 2015 a report was issued commenting on Kazakhstan’s economic situation and fiscal policy. Real GDP
See MoreIMF report contains tax recommendations for the UAE
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded discussions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under Article IV of its articles of association and on 4 August 2015 published a report and a selected issues paper. The IMF notes that government
See MoreUkraine: State Fiscal Service published letter regarding tax control over transfer pricing
The State Fiscal Service (SFS) published Letter No. 24525/7/99-99-22-01-02-17 issued on 7 July 2015 addressing the penalties levied for failure to submit transfer pricing (TP) documentation or to include relevant information about controlled
See MorePoland: Amending bill adopted by government
The Council of Ministers adopted a bill amending the Corporate Income Tax Law and Individual Income Tax Law on 21 July 2015.The amending bill requires a taxpayer that is part of a multinational corporate group with annual income or expenses of at
See MoreChina: Announcement on Cost Sharing Agreements
Recently, China’s State Administration of Taxation has promulgated the Announcement on Standardizing the Administration of Cost Sharing Agreements (the "Announcement 45") for implementation as of July 16, 2015. This announcement 45 is issued to
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