Spain: Budget for 2016 contains important tax measures
The Spanish government gazetted the details of the Budget for 2016 on 30 October 2015, addressing some significant income tax measures. Corporate income tax Companies whose total annual income does not exceed EUR 75,000 and whose exempt annual
See MoreIreland explains approach to VAT and portfolio management services
Following the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision in the Deutsche Bank case concerning the value added tax (VAT) treatment of portfolio management services the Irish Revenue issued an eBrief on 4 September 2015 to explain its approach to the
See MoreUK: taxation of dividend income of individuals
On 17 August 2015 the UK tax authority HMRC issued a fact sheet explaining the new rules for taxation of dividends received by individuals. With effect from April 2016 the current dividend tax credit is to be scrapped and a dividend allowance of
See MoreUK: Consultation on the taxation of termination payments
On 24 July 2015 the UK issued a consultation document in respect of the reform of income tax and national insurance on termination payments by employers. This follows a report from the Office of Tax Simplification on ways in which the complexity of
See MoreNigeria: VAT exemption for basic food items
According to Nigeria’s tax law, basic food items are exempt from VAT. The Federal High Court (Lagos) of Nigeria has issued a decision concluding that packaged water is a basic food item and is exempt from VAT. The decision was issued on 11th May
See MoreUK extends range of eligible investments for ISAs
With effect from 1 July 2015 the UK has extended the list of investments that can be held in an individual savings account (ISA), Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund (CTF). Savings in an ISA, Junior ISA or CTF are eligible for tax relief including an
See MoreECJ to consider scope of the VAT exemption for financial services
The First Tier Tribunal in the UK has referred a question to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) concerning the application of the VAT exemption for financial services in the case of Bookit Ltd (Case C-607/14). The following issues have been
See MoreMyanmar: IMF report refers to tax reform
A statement released at the close of a visit by officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Myanmar indicates that the outlook for economic growth remains favorable at least in the medium term. There are fiscal risks in the near term as a
See MoreSouth Africa Issues Tax Exemption Guide for Public Benefit Organisations
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) issued a revised version of its tax exemption guide on 15 December 2014. The publication provides general guidance on the taxation of public benefit organizations in South Africa. The guide is intended to
See MoreCanada: Exemption of tax for immigrant trusts ends
The immigrated individuals in Canada within the previous 5 years and has built a non-Canadian resident trust prior to their immigration need to be alert that the income tax exemption from immigrant trusts expires after 31st December 2014. According
See MorePortugal: VAT changes following 2015 Budget
The VAT regime has been changed in Portugal following the 2015 budget. The major changes are: Fees from exhibitions to be included in the base for the VAT calculation of advertising services. The VAT exemptions on goods in circulation have been
See MoreNigeria: VAT free services for stock exchange commissions
According to a current order in Nigeria, stock exchange commissions are free from value added tax (VAT). The order was publicly presented on 27 October 2014. Besides, the effective date of the VAT exemption is 25 July 2014 and it is effective for a
See MoreMexico: Import VAT relief has granted
The goods importers of Mexico will be obtained an adjournment of import VAT under the measure from January 2015. Current Mexican traders, exclusive of Mexican VAT or Excise Tax certification need to provide 16% VAT for import goods but these traders
See MoreChina VAT changes exemptions on export services
China is to implement new categories for determining the exemption rules for export services. The changes apply from October 2014. Businesses supplying export services are required to follow a number of administrative requirements, including
See MoreRomania’s Government approves tax exemption on reinvested profit
Under an emergency ordinance an exemption from tax on reinvested profits is to be put in place in July 2014 and remain until December 2015. The measure aims to increase the amount of company profits that are ploughed back into the business in the
See MoreBelgium reduces VAT on Electricity
Recent VAT changes in Belgium include the latest change in VAT rate for supplies of electricity. The rate will change from 21% to 6% and will take effect from1 April 2014 until 31 December 2015 with an option to extend the rate into 2016 and
See MoreUK: Bitcoin VAT exemption
The UK tax administration HMRC would exempt transactions in Bitcoins from the 20% UK VAT net on each sale or on profit margins, although exchange commissions would remain liable. HMRC originally provided guidance in November 2013 that Bitcoins
See MoreUkraine: Introduces a value-added tax exemption
In a statement on January 8, 2014, Ukrainian Prime Minister confirmed that he had ordered the preparation of draft legislation to amend the country's tax code to lower the cost of natural gas for consumers. The price for consumers will be reduced by
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