Canada: welcomes IRS tax return help
Canadian Finance Minister has welcomed the US government's decision to help dual citizens residing in Canada deal with their US tax filing obligations. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will also offer assistance to those with Canadian retirement
See MoreJapan’s Government and Opposition Agree Tax Deal
It was reported on 19 June 2012 that the Japanese Prime Minister has been successful in reaching a deal with opposition parties, and, in particular, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), on his plan for future hikes to the country’s consumption tax
See MoreItaly introduces tax measures for growth
The Italian government has issued its long-awaited decree aimed at boosting growth in the economy, particularly through tax incentives for construction companies, infrastructure projects and energy efficiency. Corrado Passera, the Economic
See MoreHong Kong: No Tax Cut for SMEs
It was reported on 31 May 2012, that the government will not introduce a lower profits tax rate for micro-enterprises. There were about 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong by the end of 2011, accounting for more than 98%
See MoreHong Kong launches APA programme
On March 29, 2012, the Inland Revenue Department (“IRD”) took an important step forward by formalizing the Advance Pricing Arrangement (“APA”) programme in Hong Kong. The IRD issued Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes Number 48
See MoreCanada Promotes Budget’s Trade Benefits
Canada's 2012 Budget will help expand trade and open new markets for businesses, the Minister in charge has said. Ted Menzies, the Minister of State (Finance), spoke at the Economic Club of Canada in Ottawa to promote the benefits of the new Budget,
See MorePeru to Boost Tax Take
On 22 March 2012, Peru's Finance Minister announced that Peruvian authorities are to target non-compliant taxpayers, aiming to boost the tax take by 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) within a four-year period, whilst maintaining tax rates. The
See MoreChina’s Tax Revenues Rise in 2011
Recently released final figures from China’s Ministry of Finance show that, in 2011, its tax revenue reached a total of RMB8.97 trillion (USD1.42 trillion), an increase of more than RMB1.65 trillion or 22.6% over the previous year. The significant
See MoreUS: IRS has new online tool for “Lower-Paid Taxpayers”
As part of its effort to improve service to taxpayers, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the availability of a new online tool to help taxpayers to find more easily a location for volunteer tax preparation
See MoreItaly- Tax Court Renders Decision on “Best Method” Rule
Recently Italy’s Regional Tax Court of Lazio has given an important decision regarding the selection of methods for determining inter-company prices. An Italian company acting as toll manufacturer on behalf of a related foreign company, set
See MoreChina’s pilot scheme on VAT in Shanghai
A pilot scheme to replace the existing business tax on the country’s service sector with value added tax (VAT) has been declared by China’s Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation. The project will be in Shanghai starting
See MoreAutomated Transactions Tax has been approved by the French Senate
The French Senate approved plans to establish a tax on automated transactions in France, on 23 November 2011, to curb the rapid rise in high frequency trading. The new initiative proposes to impose from January 1, 2012, a tax on certain investment
See MoreAnnulment of contractors’ tax by US
The United States Congress has finally approved a legislation to repeal the 3% withholding tax on payments made to contractors providing services to government entities. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives on a bipartisan vote. When
See MoreChina plans VAT and Service tax reform in Shanghai
Chinese State Administration of Taxation published a new proposal for Chinese VAT and Business Tax reforms plans for a 2012 to consolidate the overlapping between VAT and Business Tax. The pilot scheme is proposed to take place in Shanghai and the
See MoreGermany expects additional tax revenues in 2011
The tax estimate unveiled recently by the German finance ministry predicts higher tax revenues both this year and in the coming years, than previously predicted in the May forecast. The German finance ministry confirmed after the meeting in Halle of
See MoreSweden: 2012 Budget declared
The Swedish government has declared the details of its 2012 budget. According to it several fiscal measures are taken to offset the effects of the crisis, to improve long-term job and growth prospects and to strengthen welfare of the country. The
See MoreAustralia: Introduced Carbon tax bill
After months of controversy the Australian government has finally introduced the carbon tax bill into parliament. The legislation will be effective from July 1, 2012. After long scientific research and economic analysis the government has decided
See MoreSwitzerland Adjusts Tax Thresholds
Switzerland’s Federal Department of Finance (FDF) has adjusted the Confederation’s direct federal tax rates and deductions for the 2012 tax year. As regards tax deductions, the administration states that for the 2012 tax year, double income
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