China’s Tax Revenues Rise in 2011

February 16, 2012

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

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US: IRS has new online tool for “Lower-Paid Taxpayers”

February 08, 2012

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

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Italy- Tax Court Renders Decision on “Best Method” Rule

February 01, 2012

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

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China’s pilot scheme on VAT in Shanghai

November 23, 2011

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

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Automated Transactions Tax has been approved by the French Senate

November 23, 2011

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

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Annulment of contractors’ tax by US

November 21, 2011

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

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China plans VAT and Service tax reform in Shanghai

November 18, 2011

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

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Germany expects additional tax revenues in 2011

November 07, 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

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Sweden: 2012 Budget declared

September 26, 2011

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

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Australia: Introduced Carbon tax bill

September 15, 2011

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

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Switzerland Adjusts Tax Thresholds

September 15, 2011

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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France: Tax measures for 2011 year-end finance bills announced

August 29, 2011

The French Prime Minister announced some budget and tax measures that aim to reduce France’s deficit, on 24 August 2011 at a press conference. The French Cabinet will examine some of these proposed measures on 31 August and include in the draft of

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Lower Corporate Taxes Committed by the South Korean Government

August 24, 2011

The Finance Ministry of South Korea agreed to the government’s long-standing plan to reduce corporate taxes from next year. The government is expected to lower the rate of corporate tax on businesses from the current 22% to 20% for a taxable

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Income tax cuts suspended in Sweden

August 18, 2011

Due to the uncertainty surrounding the euro zone the Swedish government set aside on hold the planned tax cuts. According to the government declaration two measures announced in the November 2010 budget will be put on hold. One is tax cuts for

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Propensity to increase tax revenue: Philippines parliament

July 27, 2011

Instead of enacting new laws, the Speaker of the Philippines House of Representatives, Feliciano Belmonte, urged to prioritize measures that would plug loopholes in the country’s tax system and rationalize the tax incentives law. Bills that would

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Australia:Proposal to reduce tax savings

July 13, 2011

Australian government has published a discussion paper on the proposal to reduce the taxation on the interest income on savings by 50%, as proposed in the 2010-11 Budget. It is expressed that the introduction of the discount will benefit more than

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Canada promotes fire-fighter tax credit

July 11, 2011

Canada’s Ministry for National Revenue has highlighted a new tax credit targeting volunteer fire-fighters. This is a part of their ongoing promotion of the government’s Budget measures. Speaking at a fire station Canada’s Minister for National

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