India 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;
See MoreUK: update on corporate taxation and the digital economy
In March 2018 the UK has issued an updated position paper on corporate taxation and the digital economy, following an earlier consultation on the issue. The UK government considers that the engagement and participation of users is important for
See MoreUK: Chancellor delivers 2018 Spring Statement
The Chancellor delivered the Spring Statement on 13 March 2018. As the main budget announcements have now been moved to autumn, the spring statement gave a summary of the economic position and indicated areas on which the government is consulting
See MoreOECD: Interim report on tax challenges of the digital economy
The interim report on tax challenges of the digital economy was published on 16 March 2018. The 2015 report on action 1 of the action plan on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) on tax challenges of the digital economy outlined the ways in
See MoreOECD: Tax disclosure rules for advisors and intermediaries
On 9 March 2018 the OECD has issued model disclosure rules requiring lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, banks and other service providers to inform tax authorities of any schemes they set up for their clients to avoid reporting requirements
See MoreOECD: Third round of peer reviews on dispute resolution mechanisms
On 12 March 2018 the OECD released the third round of peer reviews relating to improving tax dispute resolution mechanisms to make them more timely, relevant and effective. Action 14 of the action plan on base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) was
See MoreIndia: CbC reporting changes made in Finance Bill 2018 as passed by the Lok Sabha
On 14 March 2018, the lower house of parliament (Lok Sabha) has approved the Finance Bill 2018 with modifications. One of the main changes includes by the bill is changes to the country-by-country (CbC) reporting and Master file requirements. The
See MoreLithuania: MPs proposes to reduce VAT on food and non-alcoholic beverages
A group of opposition Lithuanian lawmakers has drafted a proposal to reduce the value-added tax (VAT) on food and non-alcoholic beverages from 21% to 9%, bringing it to the level of one of the country’s reduced tax
See MoreOECD and Egypt launch programme on implementation of BEPS standards
On 7 March 2018 the OECD and Egypt’s Ministry of Finance launched a programme entitled Enhancing domestic resource mobilisation in Egypt through a better tax and exchange of information system. The programme involves funding from the EU to support
See MoreWTO: LDC members request implementation of capacity building measures
The Council for Trade in Services of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) met on 2 March 2018. At the meeting the least developed countries (LDCs) called on WTO members to implement capacity building measures so their suppliers could take advantage of
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