IMF Working Paper: Is Tax Policy Supporting a Costly Industrial Policy in Mozambique
An IMF working paper written by Santos Bila, Utkarsh Kumar and Alexis Meyer-Cirkel with the title Is Tax Policy Costly Industrial Policy in Mozambique? Finds that tax advantages do not compensate for shortcomings in economic conditions. The
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Czech Republic introduces 2025 VAT Law amendments
The Czech Republic has announced it will amend the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act to include a VAT base correction period extension and changes to the rules for correcting the VAT base. The VAT base correction period has been extended to seven years,
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IMF Working Paper: Strengthening Tax Governance Through Legal Design
An IMF working paper of 17 January 2025 written by L. Sofrona, C. Waerzeggers and B. Crowley with the title Strengthening Tax Governance Through Legal Design looks at tax governance in tax administration and how this can be strengthened. The
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Israel issues guidance on increased VAT rate
Israel’s Tax Authority has issued guidance on the increase in the standard VAT rate from 17% to 18%, effective 1 January 2025. The guidance provides an explanation of how to apply the correct VAT rate to transactions such as goods, services,
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Indonesia: President announces 12% VAT limited to luxury goods, services
Indonesia’s President has announced that the VAT rate will increase from 11% to 12%, starting 1 January 2025. However, the VAT increase will only be applicable to luxury goods and services like private jets, yachts, cruise ships, and luxury
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UAE clarifies VAT on crypto mining
The UAE Federal Tax Authority issued VAT Public Clarification - VATP039, providing clarification on the treatment of cryptocurrency mining on 13 January 2025. In a case of proof of work, a person can mine crypto currency for his own account, or
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Denmark gazettes law amending VAT Act, exempts taxation of services provided by authors and artists
Denmark’s Official Gazette published Law No. 1695 on 30 December 2024 which amends the country's Value Added Tax (VAT) Act to address the taxation of services provided by authors and artists, including performing artists, related to their
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Lithuania considers reduced VAT on essential foods, services
The Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) accepted for consideration Draft Bill No. XVP-90 which aims to introduce a reduced 9% VAT rate on essential food products on 30 December 2024. The proposed bill also includes a measure to extend the lower VAT
See MoreWorld Bank: Global Economic Prospects
The World Bank report Global Economic Prospects was issued in January 2025. The report notes that global growth is projected to remain steady at 2.7% in 2025/26, but this relatively low growth rate will not be sufficient to promote sustained
See MoreIMF: Briefing on the World Economic Outlook
In the briefing on the latest World Economic Outlook on 17 January 2024, the Director of the IMF’s Research Department confirmed that global growth is projected to remain steady at 3.3% in 2025 and 2026. Globally, inflation is expected to decline
See MoreIMF Updates World Economic Outlook
On 17 January 2025 the IMF published the update to the World Economic Outlook, with the subtitle Global Growth: Divergent and Uncertain. The update notes that global growth is expected to remain stable at 3.3% in both 2025 and 2026, below the
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Azerbaijan amends tax code: Cuts branch profit tax, introduces new corporate tax and VAT exemptions
Azerbaijan has approved several amendments to the Azerbaijan Tax Code on 27 December 2024. Key amendments include a reduction of branch profit tax rate, new corporate income tax exemptions, and revised transfer pricing penalties. Reduction of
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Italy approves VAT return form for 2025 filing
Italy’s Revenue Agency has approved the Annual VAT Return Form for the 2025 filing period, covering the 2024 tax year on 15 January 2025. A Basic Annual VAT Return Form is now available for qualifying taxpayers. Both annual return forms must be
See MoreIMF Report looks at Australia’s Economic Position
On 23 December 2024 the IMF staff issued a report following consultations with Australia under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. Economic growth is projected increase gradually, from 1.2% in 2024 to 2.1% in 2025. Real income growth
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Slovak Republic publishes guidance on VAT rate reduction for accommodation services
The Slovak Republic’s Financial Administration has released guidance detailing changes to the reduced VAT rate for accommodation services, which took effect on 1 January 2025. The guidance outlines how the new rate applies to advance payments,
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Taiwan consults increasing VAT registration threshold for non-resident electronic service providers
The Taiwanese Ministry of Finance announced on 24 December 2024 that it is seeking public feedback on proposed amendments to VAT rules for non-resident entities offering electronic services. The changes aim to raise the annual sales threshold for
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Turkey increases refund limit for transactions subject to the reduced VAT rate
The Turkish Official Gazette published Communique No. 53 on 30 December 2024, which outlines changes to the VAT refund threshold subject to the reduced VAT rate for 2025. According to the new regulation, the VAT refund threshold has been
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Russia expands list of agricultural seeds eligible for reduced VAT rate
The Russian government has issued Resolution No. 3596-r, expanding the list of agricultural crop seeds treated with biological or chemical agents that are subject to a reduced VAT rate of 10% upon sale and import. The resolution, which came into
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