UK: offshore employment intermediaries
A consultation document has been issued by the UK government proposing measures to deal with issues arising from the use of offshore employers of workers based in the UK to avoid tax and national insurance contributions on wages. The consultation
See MoreUK: Consultation on loan relationships and derivative instruments
The original loan relationships rules issued by the UK government in the 1990s modernized the treatment of debt instruments by aligning the tax treatment more closely with the accounting treatment. However in the meantime the financial world has
See MoreArgentina: New process for determining “tax haven” jurisdictions
Argentina’s tax authority (AFIP) has issued a decree introducing new criteria for when to consider countries as “tax haven” jurisdictions for transfer pricing purposes. This Decree was published on May 30, 2013. The Decree states that the AFIP
See MoreCzech Republic: Proposals on dividends, stock gains and increased R&D
The Czech Republic government has submitted its long-discussed proposals on April, 2013 to “re-codify” the tax laws to the Chamber of Deputies with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2014. The main proposals are summarized below: Dividends,
See MoreLuxembourg’s Corporate Tax Plans made public
The Luxembourg Government has uncovered some details of its future corporate tax plans. Increasing the rate of business tax has been ruled out by the Government. They have however confirmed plans to further simplify and modernize tax procedures for
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 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 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
See MoreKenya Increasing Taxes to Cover Budget Shortfall
On 10 October 2012 it was reported that, according to Kenya’s Finance Minister, the government needs to find KES40bn of additional tax revenue or spending cuts to fill a hole in its 2012/13 Budget, which has been largely caused by the recent pay
See MoreIndia: Reduces tax rate on foreign borrowings
The Indian government has lowered the taxes charged on money borrowed by Indian companies in foreign currency. The changes are included in Finance Act 2012, which amends section 115A of the Income Tax Act and inserts a new section, 194LC, in the
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