Brazil- Taxes on Drinks Ahead Of World Cup Increases

20 April, 2014

To take full benefit from the large number of visitors to the country this year, Brazil is to increase taxes on certain categories of drink such as beer, energy drinks and some fruit juice before the beginning of the soccer World Cup which is to be

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Austrian Unions drive for lower income tax rates

20 April, 2014

The President of the Austrian Federation of Trade Unions (ÖGB) has suggested that the income tax on low income employees should be significantly reduced. He suggested that the government should decrease the starting rate of income tax from the

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Vietnam – VAT export and invoice changes

16 April, 2014

Some changes have been made to Vietnam’s VAT regime in respect of VAT invoices and the VAT on exports. The aim of the changes is to require adequate documentation to be maintained in respect of the transaction, including proof of export. There

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US – Tax Extenders Survive Senate Committee Vote

16 April, 2014

The United States Senate Finance Committee has been examining the various tax reliefs given to different sectors within the economy. The Committee has now passed the bipartisan Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency Act which

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US: IRS Told To Tackle Pension Plan Contribution Tax Abuse

16 April, 2014

A report issued by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) suggests that the IRS is permitting large deductions to be incorrectly claimed each year in relation to retirement plans for the self-employed. These retirement plans

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US – IRS Reviewing Tax Exemption For Political Donation

16 April, 2014

The Commissioner of IRS has suggested that advice on the tax relief for social welfare organisations will not be available before next year. Organizations have to be sure that they are operating within the scope of the relief in areas such as

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Peru: Published regulation for advance pricing agreement

16 April, 2014

The tax authority's Resolution 377-2013/SUNAT, published in the Official Gazette on 29 December 2013.Accordance with the Resolution 377/2013, intention to negotiate an APA should be expressed in writing to SUNAT which must reply within 15 days.

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US – Corporate Tax Rate has been World’s Highest For Two Years

16 April, 2014

The RATE Coalition (Reforming America’s Taxes Equitably) has drawn attention to the fact that as from April 1, 2014 the US has for two years had the highest corporate tax rate among OECD countries. The group which demands tax reform to increase

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US – Businesses Seek Retention of LIFO Accounting

16 April, 2014

The House Ways and Means Committee Chairman has been requested by the LIFO coalition to reject a proposal for the repeal of last-in, first-out (LIFO) accounting from the tax reforms. The LIFO coalition has 126 members and is an advocacy group on

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US: Budget Committee Chairman Delivers Republican House Budget For 2015

16 April, 2014

The House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman has introduced the 2015 budget calling on Congress to reform the tax code to simplify the provisions; lower the individual and corporate tax rates to a 25% top rate; reform many tax reliefs;

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US: Bankruptcy Court rejects IRS transfer pricing adjustment

16 April, 2014

The US Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina (Greensboro Division) has rejected an IRS transfer pricing adjustment because the taxpayer would incorrectly considered to be an independent distributor Re: Case No. 09-10846C-11G, 18

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US Approves Delay to EU Aviation ETS Implementation

16 April, 2014

A member of the relevant Senate Committee has welcomed the European parliament’s recommendation to extend to 2017 the moratorium on aviation emission taxes on international flights entering or leaving the EU. Various countries outside the EU have

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US Prepares To Enforce 45 FATCA Pacts

16 April, 2014

The US has announced that the agreements signed by foreign countries with the US in respect of the implementation of the FATCA legislation will be regarded as in effect until the end of 2014. The agreements are intended to ease compliance by

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Ukraine Increases Tax and Slashes Spending

16 April, 2014

Ukraine has approved tax reforms that will allow the country to access increased financial aid from the IMF. Ukraine requires the IMF funding to ensure the stability of its finances. For this reason some planned tax cuts will not be implemented and

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Switzerland – Committee rejects IHT and VAT changes

16 April, 2014

A Swiss government committed has rejected an inheritance tax proposal from the Socialist Party and has also rejected a suggestion to introduce a consumption tax on energy in place of the VAT. The inheritance tax suggested by the Socialists would

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Switzerland – Bankers demand Investment Law Revision

16 April, 2014

The new Financial Market Infrastructure Act (FMIA) is being supported by the Association of Swiss Private Banks but the latter organization is also concerned that the legislation should not damage the competitive nature of the financial sector in

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South Africa – The 2013/14 Revenue Exceeds Expectations

16 April, 2014

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) published information on 1 April 2014 in respect of the outcome of tax collection for the fiscal year 2013/14. This indicates that ZAR 899.7 billion was collected, an increase on the year before. Although the

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South Africa Launches Tax Ombud

16 April, 2014

The Ministry of Finance in South Africa has officially launched a service known as the Tax Ombud, whose main aim is to deal with taxpayer complaints in respect of the procedural and administrative issues arising in their dealings with the South

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