Malaysia – WTO Tracks Malaysian Tax Developments
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has recently stated in its Trade Policy Review of Malaysia that the country needs to implement fiscal consolidation and tax reforms to ensure equitable and sustainable growth. The WTO noted the country's plans for
See MoreLuxembourg –VAT shortfall
In the recent Luxembourg budget, it was announced that the estimated annual VAT shortfall following the changes will total €600m to €1.1bn. This amounts to between 4.9% and 9.1% of the current annual VAT take. Due to the significance of this
See MoreLuxembourg – No VAT rise in the 2014 Budget
Luxembourg's Finance Minister has presented the 2014 Budget to the Chamber of Deputies. The 2014 budget does not include plans to raise value-added tax (VAT) in 2014 as had initially been predicted. The Finance Minister has however indicated that
See MoreKenya Issues TCC Application Guidelines
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued guidelines for those businesses applying for a Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC). This certificate is mandatory for businesses wishing to conduct transactions with government agencies and public bodies. A
See MoreIrish coalition honoring tax promises
The Irish Prime Minister has suggested that Ireland has now implemented more than 90 percent of the tax measures and spending cuts needed to bring its public finances under control. Ireland’s 12.5 percent corporate tax rate has played a central
See MoreIreland – Finance Minister Talks Fiscal Policy
According to the Irish Finance Minister the core objective of the Medium Term Economic Strategy (MTES) is full employment by 2020. In connection with this strategy Ireland will continue to prioritize taxation measures that ensure the recovery
See MoreHong Kong – Tax Authority Responds To Fair Value Accounting Case
Following the judgment of Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal in Nice Cheer Investment Limited v Commissioner of Inland Revenue (CIR), FACV 23/2012, the Inland Revenue Department has been requested, and has agreed, to accept financial statements
See MoreGermany reverses plans on Railway Eco Tax Break Repeal
The German Economy and Energy Minister has reversed plans to strike out the renewable energy tax (EEG-Umlage) rebate for train operators. The EEG-Umlage is intended to finance the transition in Germany towards the use of renewable sources of
See MoreFrance- Transfer Tax hiked
According to the French Tax Administration 66 out of the 101 departments in France have elected to increase their house transfer tax rate from March 1 2014. The house transfer tax is imposed on transactions involving older property. Other expenses
See MoreFrance To Simplify Tax System
The French General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) has found that 192 taxes in France each yield less than EUR150m (USD208m), and has advocated abolishing two-thirds of them. The report has been prepared by the IGF on behalf of the French Budget
See MoreCanada: No tax rate changes in Manitoba 2014 budget
On 6 March 2014, Manitoba Finance Minister delivered the province’s 2014 budget. The 2014 budget does not include any corporate or individual income tax rate changes, but proposes changes to certain tax credits, including the Co-op Education and
See MoreBelgium’s cdH Pledges Election Tax Cuts
The President of Belgium's Humanist Democratic Center (cdH) has unveiled details of the party's plans to lower taxes for individuals and corporations. The tax reductions would amount to around EUR10bn. The party which is currently a member of the
See MoreAustralian Prime Minister Loses Senate Carbon Tax Vote
The Australian Prime Minister’s plan to abolish Australia's carbon tax regime received a setback when the Senate failed to pass legislation to dismantle the independent Climate Change Authority. The bill was defeated on its second reading by 38
See MoreCanada: Budget 2014 incorporates transfer pricing rules and financial services
It has been announced by the OECD that the Budget for 2014 includes the announcement of a consultation on international tax planning by multinational enterprises as input into Canada's participation in the action plan on the basis of erosion and
See MoreUS – Tax Reform Discussion Draft
The House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Chairman has issued a comprehensive income tax reform discussion draft, which proposes to reduce maximum tax rates and simplify the tax code. The discussion draft suggests that six different
See MoreUruguay – Relief from compliance in respect of marketing and advertising expenses
Taxpayers are no longer required to submit certain information to the tax administration (Dirección General de Impuestos—DGI) with respect to income tax deductions or value added tax (VAT) calculations related to expenses incurred for marketing
See MoreUK – Shadow Foreign Secretary calls for maximum tax devolution for Scotland
The UK’s shadow foreign secretary has stated that the further devolution of tax powers could strengthen the accountability of the Scottish Parliament. In April 2015 the devolution of Landfill Tax will be carried out and a new Land and Buildings
See MoreUAE: No Tax for Individual Income
The UAE Finance Minister has confirmed that, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) does not plan to initiate an income tax for individuals. The country is however exploring the possibility of taxing companies and introducing fees for newly introduced
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