Thailand launches SMART visa to enhance Thai industries
By mid-January 2018, the Government of Thailand will launch a “Smart Visa” scheme which grants 4 years permission to investors and highly skilled professionals working within 10 specialized fields. The Smart Visa targets foreign entrepreneurs,
See MoreGulf Cooperation Council: Saudi Arabia and UAE to implement VAT
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are to introduce value added tax (VAT) from 1 January 2018 at a rate of 5%. Their new VAT systems will be in line with the terms of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Unified VAT Agreement. Four other
See MoreJapan issues tax reform plan for 2018
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan accepted a tax reform package on 14 December 2017. Based on the draft, a tax reform bill (The Bill) will be drafted. The bill will be submitted to Parliament and is expected to enter into force by the end
See MoreUK: Withholding tax on payments for intellectual property used in the UK
On 1 December 2017 the UK published a consultation paper on extending royalty withholding tax in relation to connected persons not resident in the UK. Comments are invited from interested parties with a submission deadline of 23 February 2018. It
See MoreItaly: CbC reporting requirements
The Italian Tax Authorities (ITA) issued a Protocol No. 275956 of 28 November 2017, regarding the change in the CBC reporting requirements. The Protocol instructs further implementation rules regarding the Law 208 issued on 28 December
See MoreFrance: Parliament approves the first Amending Finance Bill for 2017
The French Parliament has approved the first Amending Finance Bill for 2017 that was validated by the French constitutional court. The administrative guidelines on temporary surcharge of large companies were released on 8 December 2017. This Bill
See MoreUK: Research on attitudes to tax in the sharing economy
Research commissioned by HMRC on the sharing economy aimed to understand the extent of the sharing economy in terms of income of those participating for profit (known as providers) and the number and characteristics of the providers. The research
See MoreHungary: Parliament approves new tax measures
On 14 November 2017, the Hungarian Parliament approved a package of tax which includes measures related to the tax procedural rules and also some other provisions that will affect corporate and individual taxpayers. The new tax legislative package
See MoreUAE: MoF announces Executive Regulation for VAT
The Finance Ministry (MoF) announced the Executive Regulation for the Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 regarding Value Added Tax (VAT) at a Cabinet meeting on November 7, 2017, directed by the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh
See MoreCanada: Federal Govt. announces cannabis tax plan
The federal government proposed a new excise duty framework that imposes duties on cannabis products on November 10, 2017. A Bill C-45 (referred to as the “Cannabis Act”), “an Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and
See MoreDutch government contingency plans to restrict domestic tax consolidation
On 25 October 2017 the Dutch government announced emergency measures to prevent the Dutch tax consolidation rules being used in international tax avoidance structures. The measures are a direct response to ongoing litigation before the EU Court of
See MoreArgentina: Treasury Minister announces tax reform plan
The Treasury Minister, Nicolas Dujovne, on October 31, 2017, announced a tax reform plan. This proposed tax reform includes tax procedure law, corporate income tax reduction, criminal law, individual income tax, social security contributions,
See MoreGhana: Government proposes to abolish 25% corporate tax on private universities
On 28 October 2017, the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has announced that government is working hard towards the abolishment of the 25% corporate tax on Private Universities as part of government’s support to the private Tertiary
See MoreEl Salvador: Tax authority issues tax havens list for 2018
The Tax Administration of El Salvador issued an annual guide (Resolution No. DG-001/2017) on 28 September 2017. The guidelines set out a revised list of countries, states or territories that are considered to be preferential tax regimes, low or
See MoreTaiwan: Cabinet approves draft amendments to Income Tax Act
The Executive Yuan (Cabinet) approved draft amendments to the Income Tax Act on 12 October 2017. The draft proposals include the following: Corporate income tax rate increases from 17% to 20%. Standard dividend withholding tax rate raises from
See MoreNew Zealand: The Council strengthens smokefree policy
Auckland Council has strengthened their Smokefree Policy to make all al fresco dining on footpath and Beaches areas smokefree. The new policy, which will come into effect from November 2017, requires all cafés and restaurants with licenses to
See MoreTurkey: Revenue Administration publishes draft Communiqué 3 on APAs
The Revenue Administration published draft General Communiqué No. 3 on October 24, 2017 regarding transfer pricing. This provides amendments to Section 6 of General Communiqué No. 1. According to draft General Communiqué No. 3, definitions of
See MoreUAE: MoF still works with VAT regulations
The Ministry of Finance is still in the process of preparing the executive VAT regulation, in coordination with the concerned authorities. The Finance Ministry is committed to working with the highest levels of transparency and disclosure
See More