Finland decides against VAT increase as taxes rise
On 25 March 2014 Finland is to put through some tax rises and benefits cuts in an attempt to lower the budget deficit. Other Scandinavian countries have VAT rates as high as 25%, and Finland has for some time been considering an increase in VAT.
See MoreGermany: Finance Minister Indicates Tax Cuts Will Come
The German Finance Minister has suggested that tax cuts could be made in the next few years. Various commentators have pointed out that the personal income tax thresholds have not increased in line with inflation, leading to the phenomenon of
See MoreEU Approves UK Video Game Tax Break
The European Commission has approved the new UK tax relief for video game as being in line with EU state aid rules. The videos games tax relief is designed to give an incentive to developers of video game developers to design products that meet
See MoreIndia releases revised Direct Taxes Code 2013
The Indian Finance Minister has issued a discussion draft of the Direct Tax Code (DTC), 2013. This draft contains proposals for extra taxes on high net worth individuals, a lower threshold than earlier proposed for imposing tax on the offshore sale
See MoreAustralian Taxation Office Launches Offshore Tax Amnesty
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is conducting another initiative to urge taxpayers to declare understated offshore income and to revise claims for tax deductions where these are overstated. Disclosures of income are to be regarded as
See MoreUS – IRS Issues Revised Guidance on Business Expenses
The IRS has published a revised version of Publication 535 that gives guidance to taxpayers on claiming a tax deduction for business expenses. The publication contains instructions in respect of the years 2013 and 2014. This may be important for
See MoreUkraine Seeks Tax from Bank Depositors
The Ukrainian Ministry of Finance has announced that it is to introduce a tax on interest received from bank deposits above UAH 100,000. This tax is expected to apply to only 1.5 percent of bank deposits in Ukraine but these deposits account for
See MoreUK – Budget Supports Businesses to Deliver Growth
The UK budget announcements include measures in support of business. The research and development tax credit available to small businesses is to be increased from 11 percent to 14 percent. The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme that gives tax relief
See MoreSwitzerland Plans Stricter Rules for Biofuel Tax Breaks
The Swiss Council of States has given its approval to a bill strengthening the provisions on the eligibility of enterprises for biofuel tax breaks. Biofuels may be partly or wholly exempt from mineral oil tax provided that they conform to certain
See MoreSpain- Industry Comments on Tax Reform Proposals
The Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) has given a mixed response to the tax overhaul proposed by Spain's Expert Committee on Tax Reform. Its recommendations focused on lowering direct tax rates by cutting back on the number of
See MoreSingapore- issues e-Tax Guide on GST Advance Ruling System
An updated e-Tax Guide has been published by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to give guidance on aspects of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) advance ruling system and on the relevant application procedures in connection with the
See MoreRomania: New tax law to conform to EU rules
Romania has passed Law No 8/2014 to bring the tax low into line with EU provisions. The Law provides for new VAT place of supply rules for broadcasting, telecom and electronically supplied services that are similar to EU rules. The Law also reforms
See MorePortugal: Personal Income Tax System Reform
Portugal has appointed an expert committee to consider improvements to the personal tax system. Simplification of the individual income tax could improve social mobility and encourage tax compliance, according to the government. The tax system needs
See MoreLithuania – Tax card for 2014
Lithuania has prepared a “tax card” that provides an easy-to-read overview of the tax system in Lithuania for 2014. This provides a convenient reference for businesses operating in
See MoreLatvia introduces Tax card for 2014
Latvia has prepared a “tax card” that provides an easy-to-read overview of the tax system in Latvia for 2014. This card includes a review of Latvia’s corporate income tax rates and rules, micro-enterprise tax, individual (personal) income tax,
See MoreItalian Red Tape Reduction Could Fund Tax Cuts
At its 15th annual forum the President of Confcommercio, the federation representing small and medium-sized enterprises, professionals and sole traders in Italy, re-asserted his appeal for the Government to link a reduction in public expenditure
See MoreUS – Supreme Court Agrees Severance Pay Is Taxable
In the US the Supreme Court has decided in favor of the IRS in a case involving the tax status of involuntary severance payments made to employees who have been laid off. The Court decided that these payments are subject to the provisions of the
See MoreFrance – Sin Taxes should target health care goals
In France a committee of the Senate has suggested that the behavioral taxes on certain goods such as tobacco and spirits should be more directly linked to government public health targets. These taxes could be renamed public health contributions to
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