Canada-US FATCA constitutional challenge
A constitutional challenge has brought against the Canadian government over its Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) agreement with the US on August 11, 2014. It alleges that the Canadian government has crossed its power of constitution. The
See MoreSri Lanka: Central Bank sets out FATCA compliance
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka set out measures to relax the foreign exchange control rules. The government of Sri Lanka has not entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the United States. Sri Lankan banks have been directed to comply with
See MoreLatvia proposed a twelve month tax break for Latvian Sanction-Hit Companies
In response to the Russian embargo on most food products imported from the European Union, Latvia's Economy Minister, Vjaceslavs Dombrovskis, has proposed a 12-month tax break for businesses impacted by Russian sanctions. The tax breaks could be
See MoreColombia: National Tax Authority publishes rules on requirements to benefit from Law 1429/2010
The National Tax Authority has recently published (Ruling 34166/2014), referred to the requirements that small enterprises must comply with in order to benefit from Law 1429/2010 (Law on Formalization and Generation of Employment). According to the
See MoreAustralia – Reduces safe harbor for thin capitalization
Australia recently reduced the safe harbor rule for thin capitalization limit from 75% to 60%, corporate groups may want to consider what steps to take with respect to their thin capitalization positions. With effect from 1 July 2014 the permitted
See MoreCzech Republic: Obligatory reporting on related-party transactions
The Czech Tax Administration has declared a new reporting obligation for all entities accountable for corporate income tax in the Czech Republic who has dealings with related parties. Czech taxpayers will have to file a separate disclosure form
See MoreSingapore: SMU launches first Tax Research Center
In association with the Tax Academy of Singapore (TA), and with the backing of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), the Singapore Management University (SMU) launched the SMU-TA Center for Excellence in Taxation (SMU-TA CET). It will
See MoreLithuania: modified VAT registration rules
The Ministry of Finance amended the Rules on Registration to the VAT Register/Deregistration from the VAT Register by way of Order No. VA-47 on 30 June 2014, under the amendments, the VAT registration form was simplified. The new registration form
See MoreUruguay-Tax authorities rule on application of transfer pricing study
The tax administration of Uruguay issued Ruling No. 5,975 on 18 June 2014. According to the ruling transfer pricing study will not be applicable in the case of financial operations between a Uruguayan branch and foreign parent. The ruling will
See MoreChina: General tax audit on service fees and royalties payment
The State Administration of Taxation (SAT) has urged the tax authorities at all levels to carry out general tax audits on large sum payments on service fees and royalties paid to non-residents, by issuing a directive on 29 July 2014 (Shui Zong Ban
See MoreGreek PM Tackles Property Tax Mess
It has been decreed by the Greece's Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras that this year's property tax bills will be based on last year's valuations as lot of taxpayers across the country were sent massively over-inflated demands in error. The Citizens
See MoreChina: VAT rates reformed
The Standard VAT rate levied on the import or sale of goods and the condition of processing, installation services and repair is 17 percent. A Reduce rate of 13 percent applies to goods for example newspapers, books, magazines, edible vegetable
See MoreLithuania: Approved notification form for investment projects
The head of the State Tax Inspectorate under the Ministry of Finance approved the form PLN210 and its appendices by way of Order VA-34 on 5 June 2014. From 1 January 2015, companies that are preparation to take advantage of the investment project
See MoreCanada: Interest rates of prescribed income tax unchanged for Q4 2014
The Canada Revenue Agency has declared that the interest rates of prescribed income tax for taxable benefits overpaid and underpaid taxes for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2014 i.e. from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 will stay
See MoreUruguay- reduction of VAT rate on electronic purchases
In Uruguay the Vat rate applicable on purchases of goods and services acquired by bank debit cards, credit cards and wire transfers has been reduced by 2% from 1 August 2014. Also a further 1% cut will be applied from August 2015. The reduced rate
See MoreEstonia- Amendments to the Value Added Tax Act
The President of the Republic of Estonia announced on 3 July 2014 amendments to the Value Added Tax Act of the country. The amendments of the Act will be implemented from 1 December 2014. The amended Act establishes limits on deductible VAT on
See MoreGerman Government has refused for a reform of the income tax system to eliminate “cold progression”
The German Government has refused calls for a reform of the income tax system to eliminate so-called "cold progression" before 2017. Cold progression, also known as bracket creep, occurs when inflationary wage increases push taxpayers into higher
See MoreTransfer Pricing Brief: July 2014
Brazil Financial Service- a tax on financial transactions also applies in the case of foreign exchange transactions. Germany Transfer Pricing Rules- Guidance issued by the BMF in June 2014 defines important terms for transfer pricing
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