Hungary: Proposal of increasing VAT registration thresholds
Hungary is working out a plot to strengthen its VAT registration threshold from HUF8 million to a hefty HUF12 million. This will be effective from 1 January 2019. The threshold will not be applicable for non-resident businesses, which must be
See MoreIndia: GST rate reduced to 18% from 28%
On 10 November 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council reduced the tax rate on 178 items from 28% to 18%. GST Council also brought all AC and non-AC restaurants in the 5% GST bracket without the input tax credit (ITC). Only 50 items, mostly
See MoreUAE: MoF announces Executive Regulation for VAT
The Finance Ministry (MoF) announced the Executive Regulation for the Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 regarding Value Added Tax (VAT) at a Cabinet meeting on November 7, 2017, directed by the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh
See MoreMalaysia: Prime Minister announces the Budget for 2018
On October 27, 2017, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak presented the budget for 2018, outlining government plans to combat rising costs and limit the country's fiscal deficit. Some of the key fiscal tax measures are summarized as follows: Tax
See MoreArgentina: Treasury Minister announces tax reform plan
The Treasury Minister, Nicolas Dujovne, on October 31, 2017, announced a tax reform plan. This proposed tax reform includes tax procedure law, corporate income tax reduction, criminal law, individual income tax, social security contributions,
See MoreItaly: Cabinet approves 2018 budget bill
The Council of Ministers of Italy approved the draft Budget Law for 2018 on 16 October 2017. The main tax measures according to the approved Budget law are as follows: -incentives specifically on the temporary accelerated depreciation regime, the
See MoreSwitzerland reduces e-book VAT
As of January 1, 2018, Switzerland is to reduce the value-added tax on e-books from 8% to 2.5%. This means that the VAT rate for electronic books will be the same as in printed books. The standard VAT rate will also reduced from 8% to 7.7% on the
See MoreNorway: Proposal to increase VAT rate
Norway has proposed to increase the reduced rate of VAT, as from 1 January 2018 by 10% to 12%. Reduced value-added tax is applicable to the public transport, hotel accommodation, and access to cinemas, museums and amusement parks, but the standard
See MoreNetherlands: The new Dutch Government publishes Policy Paper
The new Dutch government published its Policy Paper on 10th October 2017. The paper highlights the policy of the new Dutch government for the next four years. The new four-party coalition government was formed after extensive negotiations after the
See MoreUAE: Free Zones not VAT free automatically
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Free Zones have been confirmed as not profiting from automatic VAT free status on the introduction of the new indirect tax from January 1, 2018. There are more than 40 Free Zones in the UAE. It generally locates at ports,
See MoreUAE: Penalties for noncompliance with VAT Law
The Council of Ministers adopted new fines and penalty fees for non-compliance with Value Added Tax (VAT) Law on October 2, 2017. These fines are imposed on businesses that don’t follow the new rules. Penalties for failing to follow to tax laws
See MoreMalta: Budget for 2018
On 9th October 2017, the Minister for Finance, Edward Scicluna presented the Budget for 2018. In this budget no new direct or indirect taxes were introduced, existing ones were left untouched. Major issues of budget for 2018 are following:
See MorePhilippines: Tax reform bill expected to be approved before year end
According to Filipino tax experts, the tax reform program of the tax administration may be passed into law before this year ends after it got the Senate's approval. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) Bill is the first tax
See MoreIreland: Budget for 2018
On 10 October 2017, the Irish government presented details of the Budget 2018. This budget delivers the Government’s long standing target of balancing the books in structural terms next year by reaching the Medium Term Budgetary Objective better
See MoreUAE: FTA discloses online VAT registration deadlines
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has announced an online VAT registration systems for businesses, which is scheduled on January 1, 2018. Also, government prepares to introduce the 5% levy on January 1, 2018. The FTA website will simplify the
See MoreKazakhstan: New Tax Code submits to Parliament
The First Vice-Minister of National Economy, Ruslan Dalenov, submitted the draft of the new tax code to the finance and budget committee of the lower house of the Kazakh parliament (the Mazhilis) on September 21, 2017 for consideration. It was
See MoreCroatia: EU Council gives approval to increase VAT registration threshold
The Council executing a Decision no. 2017/1768 of 25 September 2017 in the Official Gazette on September 28, 2017 for allowing Croatia to announce a special measure derogating from Article 287 of Directive 2006/112/EC on the usual system of value
See MoreUAE: Excise tax on tobacco, energy and soft drinks enters into effect
The Ministry of Finance was published the implementing regulations to the Excise Tax Law. This Excise Tax Law regarding production of excise goods in the UAE, import of excise goods in the UAE, release of excise goods from a designated zone and
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