Egypt: New Tax Law
A new tax law was signed by the Egyptian president on 21 May 2013. The new tax law cuts the amount of tax paid by those on lower incomes and this is intended to improve their living conditions. According to the new law anyone who earns EGP 5,000 or
See MoreKorea: Foreign exchange profit taxable as dividend income
Korea’s high court has issued a judgment in a case where a taxpayer received an amount less than the principal investment on the sale of participations in Japanese funds, which was offset to some extent by foreign exchange gains from the strength
See MoreGermany: Taxation of portfolio dividends; gain, loss on mergers
A new law concerning the taxation of portfolio dividends has been introduced in Germany. Also, some amendments to the tax procedure rules have been proposed. According to the new law, portfolio dividends for shareholdings of less than 10%, measured
See MoreBrazil: Increase in revenue limit to opt for presumed profit method
The government of Brazil has again increased the gross income limit for companies to opt for taxation under the presumed profit regime. Companies electing to use the presumed profit method are taxed on a statutory rate applied to their gross
See MoreCanada: Reforming Temporary Foreign Worker program
Currently, Canadians have raised concerns about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. A review of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program has been incorporated in the Economic Action Plan 2013 and legislation has been enacted to change the rules. It
See MoreGermany: Amendments to the taxation of portfolio dividends
A new law in respect of dividend taxation was published in the Federal Gazette on 21 March 2013. This law has been introduced following a decision of the European Court of Justice in 20 October 2011 which required a review of the taxation of
See MoreUK: HMRC announces widespread compliance with real time information
Most UK employers are now required to report their information on wages and deductions under the Pay as you Earn (PAYE) scheme in real time. The UK tax authority HMRC announced last week that more than 680,000 employers have begun reporting PAYE in
See MoreBelgium: New tax measures for 2013
Belgium’s Council of Ministers recently reached agreement on new tax measures for 2013. The Belgian government has already confirmed plans to increase the minimum wage and to reduce employer contributions from April 1. These measures are intended
See MoreNorway: Interest deduction limitation proposed
On 11 April 2013 the Norwegian Ministry of Finance published a legislative proposal and invited public submissions on the introduction of an interest deduction limitation for loans between related persons. The proposed limitation applies where there
See MoreSouth Africa: Tax measures included in 2013 budget
Certain tax proposals presented on 27 February 2013 in South Africa’s annual budget are summarized below: There were no tax increases but there was a substantial increase in fuel levies of 23 cents from April 2013. There was no specific mention of
See MoreJapan: 2013 tax reform bill has been passed
Japan’s 2013 tax reform bill passed on 29 March 2013 and the key changes are related to corporate taxation. They include the introduction of a tax credit for increased salaries paid to employees; the introduction of a tax credit / special
See MoreFinland: Government’s 3-Year Tax Plan
The Finnish government has formed a new 3-year spending plan to respond to the current decline in the Finnish economy. The plan covers the years from 2014-2017. The main key points of the plan are as follows: • Corporate income tax will be
See MoreKorean government releases revised tax reforms enforcement ordinance
The Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF) on 17 January 2013 announced that the revised tax reforms enforcement decree would be released in mid-February. This decree will provide for the enforcement of amendments made to a number of tax laws,
See MoreColombian Tax Reform
The Colombian tax system is reformed by the Law No. 1607 of 2012 and it took effect from 2013. The major changes are as below: The reform introduces a new minimum tax (IMAN) that is a progressive flat tax based on the amount of income derived. The
See MoreUkraine: Proposed amendments to the Tax Code
The following proposed tax rates will be increased: excise tax, vehicle registration charges, payment for subsoil use (if with a purpose other than extraction of minerals), ecological tax and charges for the use of radio frequency resources. The
See MoreNew plan for tax exemption for Argentina
Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has taken some initiatives to increase the tax-exempt personal income tax threshold. According to the new plan, taxpayers with a gross monthly salary of up to ARS25,000 (USD5,215) will be
See MoreNetherlands Bill Softens Exit Tax Rules
It was reported on 17 December 2012 that the Dutch Second Chamber has recently approved a bill submitted by the Financial State Secretary amending existing legislation pertaining to exit tax. The bill provides companies electing to relocate abroad
See MoreItalian Law Decree aims at incentives for start-up companies
The Italian Government has approved Law Decree, No. 179 of 18 October 2012, which has been published in Official Gazette No. 194. The Decree introduces incentives for innovative start-up companies, to encourage economic growth. For the first time
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