German States Agree Tougher Tax Regularization Rules
German federal state finance ministers have discussed improvements to the tax system and have decided on action to strengthen the “declaration of non-compliance” that permits residents to regularize their tax affairs without the possibility of
See MoreEU: Issues opinion regarding cross-border intra-company transactions within a VAT group
On 8 May 2014, the Advocate General (AG) of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued an opinion in the case of Skandia America Corporation USA, Sweden branch (C-7/13). The questions referred to the CJEU by the Swedish court related
See MoreColombia: Rulings regarding the application of CREE tax to companies in liquidation
Colombia’s National Tax Authority (Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales – DIAN) has explained through Ruling No. 23001 that when a company is in liquidation it is still subject to the fairness tax (Impuesto sobre la renta para la equidad
See MoreUS: IRS eases enforcement for FATCA compliance for some taxpayers
In Notice 2014-33, the IRS has announced that it will treat calendar years 2014 and 2015 as a transition period for purposes of enforcing and administering implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) by all withholding agents
See MoreSouth Africa: Issues new VAT rules
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has on 2 May 2014 issued a new regulation setting out the circumstances under which indirect exports may qualify for zero rating and explaining when a Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund may be due on the export of
See MoreRomania Pursues Tax Debtors
Romania’s tax authority has commenced a pilot project aiming to ensure that medium sized businesses pay their tax arrears. Businesses are being contacted and given the options available for settling their liabilities. The intention is to
See MoreMexico: President submits secondary legislation to Congress
The Mexican Congress is considering a number of measures that will form the secondary legislation in respect of the energy reform. The new measure will put through the details of implementing the energy reform and permit investment by private
See MoreKazakhstan Announces Tax Breaks For Investors
The Kazakhstan government is introducing some new incentives for investors. These are reported to include a ten year corporate tax holiday for certain investments. The measures would also include a visa concession under which some investors could
See MoreJapan Planning Corporate Tax Cut Next Year
There are plans to lower the corporate tax rate following the work of the Tax Commission appointed by the Japanese government. The Commission suggested an eventual reduction of the corporate tax rate to around 25 percent, and the Deputy Economy
See MoreIreland Eases Rules for LPT Concessions
Certain relief from Ireland’s Local Property Tax (LPT) is available for some disabled individuals. The Finance Minister has now announced that the scope of these reliefs is to be extended. The exemptions relate to property that are built or
See MoreChina: Announces the extensionof employment-boosting tax breaks
The Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) has jointly issued an announcement that tax breaks to increase employment are to be extended until 31 December 2016. The tax relief applies to companies that increase employment
See MoreEstonia: Announces the corporate income tax rate
The government has announced its intention to reduce the corporate tax rate to 20% in
See MoreRomania’s Government approves tax exemption on reinvested profit
Under an emergency ordinance an exemption from tax on reinvested profits is to be put in place in July 2014 and remain until December 2015. The measure aims to increase the amount of company profits that are ploughed back into the business in the
See MoreMexico Provides Oil Tax Reform Framework
A bill recently introduced by the government contains more detail of the new tax regime in respect of oil companies. This aims to encourage further exploration with the aim of increasing oil production in the future. The state oil and gas company
See MoreItaly – Reduced rates of IRAP regional tax
Decreto-Legge n 66/2014 which was published on 24 April 2014 reduces the rates of the regional tax on productive activities (IRAP). This amendment is awaiting ratification from parliament within 60 days but could be subject to further alterations
See MoreEgyptian Government to widen the income tax base and introduce VAT
Egypt’s Finance Minister has announced that the interim Government is in the process of drawing up amendments to the tax law aimed at widening the tax base and to dealing with the problem of tax evasion and avoidance. Egypt intends to broaden the
See MoreItaly Confirms Tax Cuts
The Italian Government has issued a three-year Economic and Financial Document (DEF), which includes both individual and corporate income tax reductions. The individual income tax reductions will benefit lower income taxpayers. With effect from 1
See MoreFrance Confirms EUR10bn Tax Cuts For Corporates
The French Prime Minister has set out plans for reducing wage costs for businesses in addition to the CICE tax credit that has already been introduced. The CICE tax credit has provided relief through a credit of 6 percent of gross payroll for
See More