France – Creation of new program for APAs and MAPs
The French tax authorities have announced the creation of a new program—Mission d’expertise juridique et économique internationale (MEJEI) - which will be responsible for both advance pricing arrangements (APAs) and mutual agreement procedures
See MoreBelgian Finance Minister Preserves Savings Tax Perk
The Belgian Finance Minister has clarified that the 15 percent favorable rate of withholding tax, levied on income derived from regulated savings deposits, is to remain in place despite a recent ruling from the country's Constitutional Court,
See MoreSwitzerland – fiscal policy framework
The Swiss Federal Council has set out the fiscal policy framework that will be followed in the next budget process. The financial plan for 2015-2017 has been updated based on the 2013 fiscal results and new macroeconomic figures. Although the
See MoreRomania: Prime Minister considers tax breaks for reinvested profits
Romania's Prime Minister has said that he hopes to have details ready on a planned tax break on reinvested profits in time for the next International Monetary Fund (IMF) visit to the country in April. The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister
See MorePortugal: Collection of Food Security Tax being enforced
The Portuguese Government is finally taking action to enforce payment of the country's food security tax from operators of large supermarket chains. Portugal's State Secretary for Food said that 107 cases are currently before the administrative and
See MoreFrance: Reduced VAT rate on digital newspapers and magazines
The French government is about to propose a VAT reduction for digital newspapers and magazines. The intention behind this move is to provide a level playing field for different forms of publication. The government wants to give the digital versions
See MoreUS: Senate democrat leader opposes Trade Promotion Authority renewal
The US Senate Majority Leader has expressed his opposition to the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), despite the intention of President Obama to engage with Congress to pass the legislation providing for the renewal of the TPA. This opposition to the
See MoreSpain to review tax system for families
Spain's Finance Minister has announced that the Government will review family tax reliefs ahead of the next tax reform. In a meeting, he has reiterated the Government's commitment to helping Spanish families and promoting equality of opportunities.
See MoreJapan Studies Corporate Tax Rate Cut for Growth Strategy
Japan's Prime Minister is looking again at lower corporate taxes to provide a new impetus to growth in the economy. The Finance Minister has however again cast doubt on whether such a policy is viable at the present time. In a meeting of the
See MoreIreland: Anti-VAT fraud measures
To prevent fraud in Irish VAT compliance, the Irish government introduced a number of measures through its Finance Bill which came into effect from 1 January 2014. VAT registered businesses will have to refund to the Irish Revenue any deducted input
See MoreAustralian Government restates commitment to lower taxes
The Australian Prime Minister has reiterated his election pledge for “lower, simpler, fairer taxes,” and the new government will draw up a tax reform white paper within two years. Recommendations in the white paper shall be part of the platform
See MoreHungary dismisses OECD Tax Advice
The Hungarian government has rejected OECD proposals for major tax reforms, covering a new property tax as well as energy, environmental, inheritance and wealth taxes. The Minister of Economic Strategy has said that tax reform is complete and no
See MoreChina: Shanghai Free Trade Zone implemented
The China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (SFTZ) is an important milestone in economic policy and may lead to broader financial and economic reforms. The SFTZ is geared towards services industries and promotes not only trading but also investment.
See MoreArgentina: New income tax on specific exports
Argentina issued Resolución General N°3577/2013 on 7 January 2014 that establishes a new income tax (Impuesto a las Ganancias) on transactions where goods are exported to a foreign jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction billed for the
See MoreUnited States: trust residency regulations
The US Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have requested comments on the existing final regulations (TD 8813) that provide guidance on determining the residence of a trust for US tax under section 7701 of the US Internal
See MoreUkraine: Transfer pricing report
The Ministry of Taxes and Charges has issued the official form for the transfer pricing report under Ukrainian law, and has clarified the procedures for completion. The documents were approved by Ministry of Taxes and Charges Order No.
See MoreCanada: New Anti-Avoidance Program
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced the Offshore Tax Informant Program (OFTP) that offers financial rewards for information that helps address major international tax non-compliance. Rewards will be paid to individuals for evidence with
See MoreAustria: Tax Reform Working Group
The Austrian Government has set up a working group for tax reform, with a view to submit reform recommendations by the end of 2014. The specific reform objectives have already been set out in the coalition agreement, and the planned reforms will
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