US Taxpayers Not Sensitive To State Income Tax Rates
The US Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has put together a report indicating that people relocating within the US do not generally regard State taxation as an important driver in their decision. This is the case even though there can be
See MoreUS Businesses Urge Two-Year Renewal of Tax Extenders
In the US the Business Roundtable (BR) has written to the Senate in relation to certain tax issues. The BR is a business grouping of CEOs from large US companies who have USD 7.4 trillion in annual revenues and together make up more than a third of
See MoreIMF Suggests Revenue Enhancing Tax Reforms for Uganda
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has suggested that tax changes should be put through in Uganda to deal with the problems with government finances. The tax base has to be broadened to counteract the effect of the large shortfall in tax revenue
See MoreTaiwan Approves 45 Percent Top Income Tax Rate
Tax reforms passed in Taiwan include a 45% rate of income tax on incomes above TWD 10 million per annum. Also included in the reform is an increase in the basic income tax threshold to TWD 90,000 for single taxpayers and TWD 180,000 for married
See MoreNorway: Regulations regarding exemptions to the interest
On 24 April 2014, Norway’s Ministry of Finance issued regulations regarding exemptions to the interest deduction limitation rules. Under regulations issued in April 2014 certain securities transactions are exempt from the interest restriction
See MorePortugal: Tax Burden Rises In 2013
The organization Statistics Portugal has reported that the tax burden went up by 8.1 percent in 2013 compared to 2012. This was in large part because of an increase in direct taxes although some of the rise was also due to a tax amnesty. Indirect
See MorePortugal’s Socialist Party Would Restore Hospitality Reduced Rate
Portugal's Opposition Socialist Party (PS) leader, has promised to return the value-added tax (VAT) rate on the restaurant and catering industry to the lower rate of 13 percent if it wins the elections due to be held in 2015. The tariff was
See MoreOECD: Lower Labor Taxes Would Benefit Germany
In a published survey on Germany the OECD has suggested that the tax on labor could be cut while social security contributions could also be decreased for those on low incomes. This could promote growth, but currently Germany is too reliant on taxes
See MoreNew Zealand Funding Increased Tax Compliance Drive
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is to receive an additional NZD132m in government funding over five years to increase its tax compliance drive. Some of this is for investing in compliance enforcement, while some will cover tax that must be
See MoreMexico – Details of hydrocarbon tax in energy reform proposals
Mexico has announced proposals that would change the rules in respect of the taxation of amounts relating to hydrocarbon exploration and extraction. The rules would take effect from 1 January 2015. The additional government revenue would be raised
See MoreLuxembourg: Rules Out Top Tax Rate Rise
The Luxembourg government is planning to raise more revenue in the next few years by putting together a package that will include some tax rises. The Finance Minister has recently clarified however that the highest rate of income tax is not to be
See MoreLithuania: IMF Looks At New Revenue Sources
Lithuania’s tax revenue as a percentage of GDP is currently one of the lowest in Europe. The IMF considers that Lithuania could increase government revenues by making improvements to tax on wealth and capital and by broadening the scope of value
See MoreIrish Personal Income Tax Cuts may be Needed
The American Chamber of Commerce Ireland has suggested that the high marginal individual income tax rates in Ireland combined with the low threshold for the highest rate create an obstacle to attracting key personnel. This also causes a cost burden
See MoreChina: Issues circular to clarify corporate income tax incentive
On 25 March 2014, China’s Ministry of Finance and State Administration of Taxation (SAT) jointly issued a circular, Caishui No. 26 (Circular 26) to clarify the criteria for the 15% preferential corporate income tax (CIT). A lower 15% incentive
See MoreGreece: OECD Report Considers Streamlined VAT Obligations
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has proposed changes that would assist taxpayers in complying with the value added tax (VAT) rules. The compliance burden for taxpayers could be reduced by establishing a clear
See MoreGerman Transition to Electronic Payroll Tax Platform Successful
The introduction of an electronic income tax tracking system, ELStAM, has been carried out without any problems, as is shown by the figures to 7 April 2014. This new system has been introduced to deal with tax on wages and more than two million
See MoreGerman States Agree Tougher Tax Regularization Rules
German federal state finance ministers have discussed improvements to the tax system and have decided on action to strengthen the “declaration of non-compliance” that permits residents to regularize their tax affairs without the possibility of
See MoreGerman Bill Revises Energy Tax Concessions for Industry
The Cabinet has given the go-ahead to a Bill to amend the provisions of the renewable energy law. This ensures that the tax concessions given to energy intensive companies are not contrary to EU law, while preserving the competitive nature of energy
See More