Philippines pushes for increased 2013 revenue with no new taxes
As President Benigno Aquino’s government abides by his original promise not to introduce any new taxes in the first three years of his administration, the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will have to rely on improved tax compliance
See MoreFrench Senators Axe Tax Break for Overtime Hours
It has been published on 30 July 2012 that, within the framework of its examination of the country’s second 2012 supplementary finance bill, the French Senate has abolished the tax exemption applicable to overtime hours in France, a measure
See MoreJapan’s Government and Opposition Agree Tax Deal
It was reported on 19 June 2012 that the Japanese Prime Minister has been successful in reaching a deal with opposition parties, and, in particular, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), on his plan for future hikes to the country’s consumption tax
See MoreItaly introduces tax measures for growth
The Italian government has issued its long-awaited decree aimed at boosting growth in the economy, particularly through tax incentives for construction companies, infrastructure projects and energy efficiency. Corrado Passera, the Economic
See MoreHong Kong: No Tax Cut for SMEs
It was reported on 31 May 2012, that the government will not introduce a lower profits tax rate for micro-enterprises. There were about 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong by the end of 2011, accounting for more than 98%
See MoreCanada Promotes Budget’s Trade Benefits
Canada's 2012 Budget will help expand trade and open new markets for businesses, the Minister in charge has said. Ted Menzies, the Minister of State (Finance), spoke at the Economic Club of Canada in Ottawa to promote the benefits of the new Budget,
See MorePeru to Boost Tax Take
On 22 March 2012, Peru's Finance Minister announced that Peruvian authorities are to target non-compliant taxpayers, aiming to boost the tax take by 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) within a four-year period, whilst maintaining tax rates. The
See MoreUS: IRS has new online tool for “Lower-Paid Taxpayers”
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
See MoreChina’s pilot scheme on VAT in Shanghai
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
See MoreGermany expects additional tax revenues in 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
See MoreSweden: 2012 Budget declared
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
See MoreAustralia: Introduced Carbon tax bill
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
See MoreSwitzerland Adjusts Tax Thresholds
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
See MoreFrance: Tax measures for 2011 year-end finance bills announced
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
See MoreLower Corporate Taxes Committed by the South Korean Government
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
See MoreIncome tax cuts suspended in Sweden
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
See MoreAustralia:Proposal to reduce tax savings
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
See MoreCanada promotes fire-fighter tax credit
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
See More