IMF: Fiscal Monitor discusses policies to support individuals and businesses
The April 2020 issue of the IMF’s Fiscal Monitor discusses policies to support individuals and businesses through the coronavirus crisis and the resulting economic problems. The Fiscal Monitor looks at certain temporary and targeted fiscal
See MoreMalta: Parliament enacts the Budget Measures Implementation Act 2020
On 20 March 2020, the Maltese Parliament has enacted the Budget Measures Implementation Act 2020. Through the enactment of this legislation, amendments were made to the Income Tax Act (ITA), Value Added Tax Act (VATA), Income Tax Management Act
See MoreOECD: Forum on Tax Administration publishes advice on business continuity considerations for tax administrations
On 7 April 2020 the OECD Forum on Tax Administration (FTA) published a document containing advice on business continuity considerations to be taken into account by tax administrations as they deal with the tax consequences of the COVID-19
See MoreNew Zealand enacts tax bill in response to COVID-19 pandemic
On 25 March 2020, the New Zealand Government has passed COVID-19 Response (Taxation and Social Assistance Urgent Measures) Act 2020. The Act aims to support the package of economic and social measures needed to recover from the impact of the
See MoreArgentina: Government announces tax measures in response to COVID-19 pandemic
The government has recently announced tax measures amid coronavirus outbreak. These measures are given below: Measures have been aimed at encouraging bank lending through (i) lower reserve requirements on bank lending to households and SMEs;
See MoreSweden: Tax measures to mitigate the financial impact on COVID-19 outbreak
On 16 March 2020, the Swedish Government presented additional measures to mitigate the financial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The crisis package presented, can depending on how the situation develops, encompass more than SEK 300 billion if
See MoreNew Zealand: Government releases economic package due to COVID-19 pandemic
O 17 March 2020, the New Zealand Government has unveiled a NZD 12.1 billion COVID-19 response package. From the package NZD 5.1 billion is allocated in wage subsidies for affected businesses in all sectors and regions, NZD 2.8 billion in business
See MoreCroatia: Government proposes tax relief measures for coronavirus
On 17 March 2020, the government proposed some tax relief measures for the coronavirus epidemic. The measures are given below: Deferment of paying income tax or to arrange an instalment payment plan for their tax liabilities, social
See MoreUK: Budget Announcements for 2020
The UK Budget for 2020/21 was announced on 11 March 2020. Coronavirus - Emergency relief measures As a temporary measure to help business during the COVID-19 outbreak the statutory sick pay (SSP) will be extended to those advised to
See MoreIMF Recommends Further Tax Reform in Tanzania
The IMF issued a report on 5 March 2020 following consultations under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The report notes that Tanzania currently has economic growth of around 6%, with adequate reserves and manageable pubic debt
See MoreUK confirms date of Finance Bill 2020
In a written ministerial statement of 25 February 2020 the UK confirmed that the Finance Bill 2020 is to be published on 19 March 2020, in the week following the announcement of the budget proposals on 11 March. The statement confirmed the
See MoreUK: Report on the management of tax expenditures
A report released by the National Audit Office issued on 14 February 2020 looked at the management of tax expenditures. There were 1,190 tax reliefs available in the UK tax system in October 2019, either structural reliefs such as the personal tax
See MoreNamibia introduces a bill to repeal tax incentives for manufacturing and export processing zones
On 19 February 2020, the Minister of Finance tabled the first income tax amendment bill of 2020 in Parliament that repeals the tax incentives applicable to registered manufacturers and export processing zones (“EPZ”). For manufacturers, this
See MoreHong Kong: Financial Secretary presents the budget for 2020/21
On 26 February 2020, the Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po announced the 2020/21 budget outlining the Hong Kong SAR Government’s plan for the economy and proposals for taxation developments. He proposed the following tax concessionary measures,
See MoreSouth Africa: Finance Minister delivers draft Budget for 2020-2021
On 26 February 2020, the Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni, delivered National Budget for the year 2020-2021. Some provisions of budget 2020-2021 include: Corporate income tax The standard corporate income tax rate was proposed to remain
See MoreMalaysia gazettes Labuan Business Activity Tax (Amendment) Act 2020
On 10 February 2020, Malaysia has gazetted the Labuan Business Activity Tax (Amendment) Act 2020 (“the Amendment Act”) which comes into operation on 11 February 2020. The following tax measures are included in the act. A company in Labuan
See MorePhilippines: Senate approves the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act
On 19 February 2020, the Senate approved a Bill, entitled “the Corporate Income Tax and Incentives Reform Act”. It was approved by the House of Representatives on 13 September 2019. The bill aims to change the National Internal Revenue Code and
See MoreGhana: Parliament approves Budget for 2020
The parliament of Ghana approved the Acts for the implementation of the 2020 Budget and published on 30 December 2019. The Act introduces tax holidays (exemptions) for the income of a manufacturer or assembler in respect of the manufacture or
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