New Zealand’s tax developments in 2013
Tax and policy developments in New Zealand for the year of 2013 were: Distributed the OECD tax “action plan” in response to concerns around profit shifting by multinationals, launch of the legislation containing changes to the tax treatment of
See MoreCzech Republic: New Reduced VAT rate
The Czech coalition government is taking into account to introduce a new, deducted VAT rate for medicines. The EU VAT Directive permits two reduced VAT rates below any member state’s standard VAT rate. These rates may not go beyond 5%.
See MoreSwitzerland released report on Corporate Tax Reform
The Swiss Federal Council has released a final report of corporate tax reform III on 19 December 2013. The Swiss federal government proposes to replace the holding, domiciliary, and mixed company regime in the next five to seven years and to enact a
See MoreGST in Malaysia supported by the IMF
It was reported on 19 December 2013 that the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Mission Chief for Malaysia said at the conclusion of discussions for the 2013 Article IV Consultation that he welcomes the country’s decision to introduce a Goods
See MoreCyprus: VAT rate increases
From the 13 January 2014 there will be some changes to the VAT rates in Cyprus as follows: Standard rate of VAT increased to 19% from 18%; Reduced rate of VAT increased to 9% from 8%; and The super reduced and zero rates will remain
See MoreSpain: New law regarding deferred tax assets
A new law (RDL 14/2013) exchange into Spanish tax law the EU directives and regulations regarding the deferred tax assets. The law will enter into force from 1 January 2014, and this will affect Spanish financial institutions in the light of the
See MoreUS – IRS Issue Guidance for Tax-Exempt Entities
The United States Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have announced they are issuing initial guidance regarding qualification requirements for tax-exemption as a social welfare organization under section 501(c)(4) of
See MoreUS States Cut Taxes in 2013
Eighteen US states have cut taxes in the 2013 legislative year, reflecting an emphasis, following the recession, on pro-growth reforms that encourage economic expansion and competition, according to a new report by the Center for State Fiscal Reform
See MoreUS: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Prompted to Increase Online Payment Agreements
A new report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), has found that, while rising numbers of taxpayers are using the internet for their tax arrangements, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has still missed
See MoreSwitzerland: Ruled against the replacement of VAT with Energy Levy
Value-added tax (VAT) in Switzerland to be replaced with a tax on energy has been rejected by The Swiss Federal Council. The council argued that in order to replacement of VAT because the rate of the energy tax will be very high and abolishing VAT
See MoreSwitzerland: Rejects some key tax initiatives
The Swiss people rejected some major tax initiatives, which would have had a reflective impact on both the economy and the attractiveness of the Confederation Fair Play would have limited executive pay to several of 12 times the wages of the lowest
See MoreSouth Africa – VAT changes for short-term insurance
South Africa’s tax authorities have issued a ruling addressing the value added tax (VAT) treatment of supplies made and received by short-term insurers. The following issues are focused in the Ruling. Clarification on the time of supply in the
See MorePortuguese Parliament (AR) adopts the Budget for 2014
The country’s State Budget for 2014 (OE 2014) is adopted by the Portuguese Parliament (AR). The budget deficit is reduced to 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) is ensured by the fiscal consolidation measures, in connection with the
See MorePortugal: VAT rate need not be reduced on restaurant trade
There is no need for a cut from the standard 23% rate to the reduced 13% rate. This is indicated by the latest positive estimates of Portuguese VAT restaurant receipts points. VAT rate on restaurant services in Portugal raised from 10% to 23% in
See MoreOman: Tax remittances
Oman government shall impose tax on the remittances sent by foreign workers to their home countries. This is advised by the economic and financial committee of Oman. In order to ease growing pressure on the state budget, two percent tax is to be
See MoreNorway releases 2014 Budget
On 14 October 2013 Norway released the 2014 Budget with proposals on new interest deductibility restrictions and reduction of the corporate income tax rate. The Budget includes proposed significant restrictions on the deduction of interest paid to
See MoreNetherlands Welcomes Court Ruling on Business Succession Tax Break
The Netherlands Supreme Court has ruled in recent proceedings that the country's business succession rules, provided for in the inheritance and gift tax law, are not contrary to the principle of equality. Under Dutch business succession regulations,
See MoreVietnam – Transfer pricing audits based on risk profiles
Vietnam’s General Department of Taxation published transfer pricing audits on 18 December 2013, throughout a number of provinces, and selected some textile, garment, and footwear companies based on transfer pricing risk assessment profiles. The
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