Saudi Arabia: Ministerial Resolution amends important articles of the Tax By-law
The Ministerial Resolution No. 1727 provides amendments to Articles 1, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 58 of the Tax By-law. General provisions: The amendment says that shares owned by non-Saudis for speculation purpose in capital companies listed on the KSA stock
See MoreNigeria: President accepts VAIDS deadline extension until 30 June
The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the extension of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to June 30, 2018 from March 31, 2018. Note that, no further extension of time will be approved after June 30, 2018. The VAIDS
See MoreOECD: Global Forum Issues Peer Review Reports
On 4 April 2018 the OECD’s Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes published peer review reports on nine countries. The reports assess the countries’ compliance with the agreed international standards in
See MoreJapan: Parliament legislates tax reform plan for 2018
On 28 March 2018, The Diet (Japan’s parliament), enacted the tax reform plan for 2018. The tax law enforcement orders, which are regulations provided by the Government to supplement tax law, were also published in the Official Gazette on 31 March
See MoreChina: Draft Law on Resource Tax
First introduced in 1984, the Resource Tax originally applied to crude oil, natural gas, coal, and other mineral resources based on their quantity and weight. The Chinese Government first extended the Resource Tax nationwide in November 2011. By
See MoreHong Kong: IRD gazettes two-tier profits tax rates regime
On 29 March 2018, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 3) Ordinance 2018 (the Ordinance) was gazetted to implement the two-tiered profits tax rates regime. The two-tiered profits tax rates regime will be applicable to any year of assessment
See MoreOECD: Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean
On 27 March 2018 the OECD released the latest edition of the publication Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2018. The publication notes that tax revenues in the region fell in 2016, with an average tax to GDP ratio of 22.7%, 0.3%
See MoreSingapore: Plans to increase GST rate and imposed GST on imported services
The Minister for Finance in Singapore presented Budget for 2018 on 19 February 2018. Budget 2018 proposes an increase in the GST rate from the current 7% to 9%. This increase would take place sometime during 2021 to 2025. Budget 2018 also introduces
See MoreGovernment of Iraq issued 2018 Federal Budget
The Iraqi Parliament passed its 2018 Budget Act (the Budget) on 3 March 2018. The Budget includes several measures to support economic growth and fiscal stability as Iraq recovers after the 2017 military defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
See MoreIndia cuts the tariff on sugar exports to zero percent
On 21 March 2018, the government issued an official order stating that the government has abolished tariffs on exporting sugar from the current 20 percent to zero percent. The duty cut has been made to boost overseas sales, the release said. “In
See MoreSaudi Arabia: Ministerial Resolutions amends certain implementing articles of the By-law
The Ministerial Resolution No. 1727 dated 11 February 2018 has amended the following key articles of the By-Law: General provisions- Article 1: Persons subject to taxation include resident capital companies with respect to shares owned directly or
See MoreKorea: Important changes in tax rules
The Korean Ministry of Strategy and Finance released amendments to the tax law on 13 February 2018. Key changes are following: The withholding tax rate will increase from 17% to 19% on the amount of compensation paid to hiring foreign entities.
See MoreOECD: Further guidance on attribution of profits to permanent establishments
On 22 March 2018 the OECD issued a report entitled “Additional Guidance on the Attribution of Profits to Permanent Establishments, BEPS Action 7”. This latest guidance follows the issue of a discussion draft on 22 June 2017 containing guidance
See MoreOECD announces date of entry into force of multilateral instrument
On 22 March 2018 the OECD announced that the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting is to enter into force on 1 July 2018. The Convention allows the signatories to quickly and
See MoreAgreement to Create the African Continental Free Trade Area
On 21 March 2018 leaders of 44 African countries signed an agreement to create the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The agreement if implemented would remove barriers to trade, such as tariffs and import quotas, allowing the free flow
See MoreEU: Proposals on taxation of digital activities
On 21 March 2018 the European Commission proposed rules on taxation of digital business activities in the EU. These tax measures propose to adapt the tax laws for the digital economy. The tax rules for digital businesses including social media
See MoreUK: Consultation discusses the use of cash in tax evasion and financial crime
On 13 March 2018 the government issued a call for evidence entitled “Cash and digital payments in the new economy”. HMRC notes that the use of cash can present problems with tax compliance because people dealing in cash may have problems
See MoreUK: Use of taxation or other charges to reduce plastic waste
The UK has set a goal to eradicate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042 and is examining how economic incentives can be used to encourage sustainable behaviour. A number of measures have already been taken to reduce waste such as the Landfill Tax;
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