Malta to Amend SICAV Reporting Rules
On 30 October 2012 it has been published that the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has announced a number of legislative proposals to update the reporting requirements for Collective Investment Schemes. Presently there is a disparity in the
See MoreNorway Unveils ‘Neutral’ 2013 Budget
It was reported on 11 October 2012 that Norway has unveiled its 2013 budget ahead of next year’s elections, including less fiscal stimulus than previously expected. As part of its 2013 budget, Norway is set to double its carbon taxes on oil firms
See MoreKenya Increasing Taxes to Cover Budget Shortfall
On 10 October 2012 it was reported that, according to Kenya’s Finance Minister, the government needs to find KES40bn of additional tax revenue or spending cuts to fill a hole in its 2012/13 Budget, which has been largely caused by the recent pay
See MoreSouth Africa’s New Tax Administration Act Is In Force
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced that the Tax Administration Act (TAA), which is intended to simplify and provide greater coherence in South African tax administration law, and was promulgated on July 4, 2012, largely came into
See MoreIndia: Reduces tax rate on foreign borrowings
The Indian government has lowered the taxes charged on money borrowed by Indian companies in foreign currency. The changes are included in Finance Act 2012, which amends section 115A of the Income Tax Act and inserts a new section, 194LC, in the
See MoreIndia: Approves investor tax relief scheme
India's Finance Minister Shri. P. Chidambaram has approved a new tax relief scheme targeted at first time retail investors in the securities market. The Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme (RGESS) will provide tax benefits to those investing up to
See MoreFinland: Outlines Tax Changes
On 20 September 2012 it was reported that the Finnish finance ministry has recently published the country’s 2013 budget review, detailing the government’s tax plans for next year. The government plans to implement tough tax measures to
See MoreSouth Africa Closes Loopholes in New Dividend Tax
On 6 September 2012 it has been published that South Africa’s Minister of Finance has announced the closing of tax avoidance schemes which have arisen with regard to the operation of the new dividends tax. The dividends tax came into effect on
See MoreAustralian Parliament Passes Fund Manager Tax Reforms
The Australian government has loosened the tax requirements on the financial services industry in an effort to remove any barriers to the use of Australian fund managers by international investors. The Tax Laws Amendment (Investment Manager Regime)
See MoreThailand to Keep VAT at 7%
It has been published on 10 August 2012 that Thailand’s government has decided to postpone the planned increase in the value added tax (VAT) rate by two years to help stimulate the consumer spending and private sector investment, which are
See MoreItaly achieves increased tax revenues in first half 2012
Following the tax increases which formed the major part of recent packages intended to reduce Italy’s fiscal deficit, it was perhaps unsurprising when the Italian Economy and Finance Ministry was able to announce that tax revenues in the first
See MorePhilippines pushes for increased 2013 revenue with no new taxes
As President Benigno Aquino’s government abides by his original promise not to introduce any new taxes in the first three years of his administration, the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will have to rely on improved tax compliance
See MoreSouth Korea Plans to Raise Minimum Corporate Tax Rate
On 2 August 2012 it was reported that, following a policy meeting between the South Korean government and the ruling Saenuri Party, it is planned to increase the minimum corporate tax rate payable by the largest companies. At present, companies in
See MoreRussia: Polymetal Loses Transfer Pricing Dispute
On 1 August 2012 it was published that the Supreme Arbitration Court of Russia has recently ordered Polymetal International, a Russian gold and silver producer, to pay RUB883m in additional taxes, penalties and interest as part of a transfer pricing
See MoreFrench Senators Axe Tax Break for Overtime Hours
It has been published on 30 July 2012 that, within the framework of its examination of the country’s second 2012 supplementary finance bill, the French Senate has abolished the tax exemption applicable to overtime hours in France, a measure
See MoreSingapore: Strengthen DTA Network
In a speech on 25 July 2012, at the international tax forum organized by the Tax Academy and CPA Australia, Singapore's Minister of State for Finance and Transport disclosed that Singapore was looking to strengthen its network of double taxation
See MoreChina and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) update
According to an announcement made in October 2011, a Value-Added Tax (VAT) pilot program will be introduced in Shanghai in January 2012, replacing the business tax in selected industrial sectors. Following the early success of that pilot, it looks
See MoreSouth Africa: Introduces Tax Amendment Bills
It was published on 11 July 2012 that the South African National Treasury has released, for public comment prior to their formal introduction in parliament, the draft 2012 Taxation Laws Amendment Bills which give effect to most of the 2012
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