Switzerland: 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
See MoreNetherlands – New transfer pricing decree unifies rules
The Dutch Deputy Minister of Finance has issued a new decree that generally unifies and clarifies prior transfer pricing guidance, and withdraws and cancels prior decrees from 2001 and 2004. The new decree is effective from 27 November 2013. The
See MoreLuxembourg: Rejection of a tax on FTT
A recent report confirmed that Luxembourg’s clear rejection of a tax on financial transactions (FTT). Luxembourg will carry on ruling out the idea of such a tax, as currently envisaged by eleven EU member states, within the structure of enhanced
See MoreSwitzerland: Revise withholding tax regime
It was reported that the Swiss Federal Council has introduce a consultation plans to review the imposing of withholding tax at source on income acquire from “lucrative” activity on 18 December 2013. Plans to modify the federal laws governing the
See MoreMalta: VAT 2014 changes approved
It was reported on 18 December 2013 that the Maltese budget for 2014 has been approved by Parliament. It includes a small number of changes to the VAT penalties and compliance regime, including: There will be no penalties for late filings of
See MoreFrance – Status of Transfer pricing proposals in the Draft Finance Bill for 2014
The French Senate rejected part 2 of the draft finance bill for 2014 on 16 December 2014. The bill is scheduled on 19 December 2013 for a final consideration. The draft bill changes the penalty provisions for those taxpayers who fall under article
See MoreChile- Combine tax treatment of corporations and partnerships
Chile's tax administration has issued several guidelines on December 18, 2013 for measuring income tax related to corporations and partnerships. These measures also include some treatments for employee benefits. Ley 20.630, which considered both
See MoreMorocco: International Tax Dialogue To Making Fiscal Reorganization Work
A meeting of tax administrators from more than 95 countries throughout the world has been discussing the distribution of taxing powers between different levels of government. The global conference of the International Tax Dialogue in Marrakech,
See MoreIndia: Clarifies conditions of service tax amnesty
The Indian Finance Ministry has wanted to clarify concerns over its Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme (VCES) by commenting on issues raised by industry representatives. The Finance Minister recently settled a series of
See MoreHungary- Extension to Family Tax Break
The tax incentive regime for employers of parents with small children has been extended in Hungary. The Employment Minister has announced plans regarding this. According to the new plan an employer of parent having at least three small children will
See MoreNew Grand Coalition of Germany Ruled out Tax Rises
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has finally signed a coalition agreement with the Social Democrats (SPD), in which both parties pledge their commitment to no new debt or tax rises, as well as to
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