France updates list of tax havens
France has revised its list of tax havens to include Jersey, Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands as tax havens, meaning the three territories will be subject to tougher tax policies applied by France. France has however removed the Philippines
See MoreIndia – Indian government set up its first Tax Administration Reform Commission
The Indian government set up its first Tax Administration Reform Commission on 26 August 2013. The seven-member panel is being given eighteen months to draw up its recommendations. The Commission is likely to put forward proposals for the creation
See MorePortugal: Extraordinary investment tax credit to boost investment is introduced
The Portuguese government introduced an extraordinary investment tax credit with effect from 17 July 2013. The special tax credit will be applicable to investments between 1 July 2013 and 31 December 2013, up to a limit of EUR 5,000,000. The tax
See MoreSouth Korea- Planning of Acquisition Tax Cuts
The South Korean Government announced on 30 August 2013 that the tax rates on home purchases would be decreased in order to encourage a rise in transaction numbers. An exemption from property acquisition tax was granted in April 2013, but the
See MoreBelgium: Introduction of “fairness tax” on companies
The Belgian government has introduced a “fairness tax” on companies. Due to compensation for losses or notional interest deductions, if companies dividends are paid and corporate tax is not paid, will be liable to pay this fairness tax. In an
See MoreBrazil: Guidance Issued on the Pricing of Interest Bearing Transactions
The Brazilian Ministry of Finance has issued an ordinance 427/2013, On 2 August 2013, which finally define and clarifies the interest rate spread and that was mentioned but not specified in Law 12.766/2012. Under Ordinance 427/2013 where the
See MoreCroatia: Government proposes amendments to Individual Income Tax Law
The government has proposed amendments to the Individual Income Tax Law on 25 July 2013. Following the constitutional court decision these amendments provide that dividends or participation in profits obtained after 31 December 2000, but paid out
See MoreFrance introduces bill on new tax incentives for entrepreneurs
The government of France introduced a Bill into the National Assembly on 21 August 2013 in relation to tax incentives for entrepreneurs in crafts, trade and small businesses. Accordingly, entrepreneurs are exempt from the additional tax on real
See MoreFrance: New deductions enacted on capital gains
The government of France issued a circular on 9 August 2013 on reductions of capital gains for individual income tax and social contributions purposes. Capital gains derived from the disposal of immovable property other than land benefit from the
See MoreItaly: Decree on Final Exit Tax has been published
The Ministerial Decree of 2 August 2013 is implementing new rules on 12th August 2013 regarding the income tax treatment of the migration of Italian companies which was published in the Italian Official Gazette n. 188/2013. According to the Decree,
See MoreNew Zealand reforms the Inland Revenue Department
The New Zealand Government has announced to reform the Inland Revenue Department which intended to make it easier and less costly to taxpayers’. The first things of changes need to improvements of processes, skills and capabilities, and
See MoreRussia- Draft amendments to Tax Code
The government of Russia has introduced Draft Law No. 330414-6 to parliament on August 10, 2013 that amends the Tax Code regarding the rules applicable to tax audits of banks and is expected to entry into force one month after its publication. Banks
See MoreTanzania – Requirements for business licenses
Recently Tanzania’s Ministry of Industry and Trade issued details of the procedures necessary for businesses to register for or renew their business licenses on or before 31st December 2013. In July 2013 the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
See MoreVenezuela: New income tax relief
The Official Gazette of Venezuela has published a decree named “Supreme Decree 285”. This decree has brought new income tax discharges which will be effective from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015. The forestry and agricultural sectors are
See MoreOman: VAT could be introduced by 2016
For implementing a value added tax (VAT), the Oman government is considering a framework. This would be generally in line with guidance from the Gulf Cooperation Council, an organization of which Oman is a member. VAT system could be implemented in
See MoreHong Kong: Tax laws introduced for Islamic Finance
The Inland Revenue and Stamp Duty Legislation (Alternative Bond Schemes) (Amendment) Ordinance 2013 was gazetted and came into operation on July 19, 2013 in Hong Kong. It amends the Inland Revenue Ordinance and Stamp Duty Ordinance to provide a
See MoreHong Kong: Explanation of IPR, Royalties Taxation
The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) of Hong Kong has issued amended interpretation and practice notes for taxpayers regarding the profits tax deduction for capital expenditure on intellectual property rights (IPR), and the taxation of royalties
See MoreBelgium: Approval of “Fairness tax” on corporations
The tax measures under the budget control proposals previously announced by the Belgian government were adopted on 18 July 2013 by Parliament.The new “fairness tax” is included in the measures. Imposition rate of the fairness tax will be 5.15%
See More