Finland announces public finance plan for 2025 – 2028
On 16 April 2024, the Finnish government declared its public finance plan for 2025 to 2028. The finance plan includes specific tax reforms focused on enhancing the sustainability of public finances. These measures include: Raising the VAT
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Ghana halts 15% VAT on residential electricity usage
On 7 February 2024, the Ministry of Finance in Ghana released a press statement regarding enforcing Value-Added Tax (VAT) on electricity consumption by residential customers. According to the statement, electricity suppliers were informed of the
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Malta Issues guidelines on reduced VAT on pleasure boat hiring
On 31 January 2024, Malta’s Commissioner for Revenue issued Guidelines for the application of the 12% VAT rate on the hiring of pleasure boats. This follows after the recent amendments to the Value Added Tax Act, which extended the 12% VAT rate to
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IMF Report Comments on Finland’s Economic Position
On 23 January 2024 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Finland under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The report notes that although Finland’s economy recovered quickly from the pandemic, the war in Ukraine has
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Spain approves extension of windfall taxes on banks and reduced VAT rates
On 11 January 2024, the Spanish Government issued a press release announcing the approval of the Royal Decree-Law. The Royal Decree-Law was approved by the Spanish Council of Ministers on 27 December 2023. This Decree extends specific measures to
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Bolivia widens VAT incentives for various sectors
On 31 December 2023, Bolivia published Law No. 1546 on the General State Budget for 2024 in the Official Gazette. This law introduces a range of incentives for industrialization and expands the existing VAT incentives. The incentives were enacted on
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Algeria publishes finance law for 2024 introducing new local solidarity tax
On 31 December 2023, Algeria's Ministry of Finance published the Finance Law for 2024 in the Official Gazette. The Finance Law for 2024 eliminates the 1.5% tax on professional activity (TAP) and introduces the new local solidarity tax
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Sri Lanka increases VAT rate to 18%
On 28 December 2023, Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) issued the Notice to VAT Registered Persons announcing the new VAT rate of 18% from 15%—effective 1 January 2024. The notice also states that any advance payment made before 1
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Luxembourg ends temporary VAT rate reduction
On 27 December 2023, the Luxembourg Directorate of Registration, Domains, and VAT issued Circular No. 812-1 of 27 December 2023, which declared the end of the temporary reduction in VAT rates as mandated by the Law of 26 October 2022. As
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Costa Rica: Menstrual hygiene products eligible for 1% reduced VAT rate
On 29 November 2023, Costa Rica passed Law No. 10424 of 29 November 2023. This legislation introduces measures regarding menstrual hygiene products. It includes the amendment of the basic basket of goods eligible for a reduced VAT rate of 1%, which
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Portugal: Government presents 2024 draft budget bill to the Parliament
On 10 October 2023, the government of Portugal presented the draft Budget Bill for 2024 to the parliament. The budget includes changes in corporate income tax, personal income tax, and indirect taxation. The key tax measures of the budget are as
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Czech Republic: Chamber of Deputies passes tax reform bill
On 13 October 2023, the Czech Chamber of Deputies approved a tax reform bill that would consolidate the two reduced rates of value-added tax (VAT) and increase the corporate tax rate. The draft law on the consolidation of public budgets includes
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Ireland: Finance Minister presents 2024 Budget to the Parliament
On 10 October 2023, Mr. Michael McGrath, the Minister for Finance of Ireland presented the 2024 Budget to the Parliament. The main tax measures proposed in the 2024 Budget include: OECD Pillar Two The Minister announced that the upcoming
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Kazakhstan’s Tax Overhaul: What Foreign Investors Need to Know About the Upcoming Reforms
On 1 September 2023, President Tokaev addressed the nation and announced a number of important tax policy considerations. To achieve its economic goals, including modernization and diversification of the economy, Kazakhstan should adjust its tax
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IMF Report Suggests Tax Reforms for Kuwait
On 23 August 2023 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Kuwait under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. Kuwait’s economy has continued to recover with non-oil GDP growth estimated to be 3.4% in 2021, buoyed by a
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Kuwait: IMF Report Recommends Implementation of VAT and Excise Taxes
On 5 June 2023 the IMF published a report following consultations with Kuwait under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. Kuwait’s economy has begun to recover after the pandemic with economic growth estimated at 8.2% in 2022 as a
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IMF Report Looks at Portugal’s Economy
On 9 May 2023 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Portugal under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The economic recovery from the pandemic continued strongly into 2022 with growth of 6.7% led by stronger tourism and
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IMF Comments on the Economy of Mozambique
On 6 May 2023 the IMF issued a press release following discussions with Mozambique in relation to the second review of the program under the extended credit facility (ECF) arrangement. The report notes that Mozambique’s economic recovery has
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