Ecuador to reduce VAT for tourism services in November
Ecuador has announced a temporary VAT reduction on tourism-related services, lowering the rate from 15% to 8% from 1 to 4 November 2024. This initiative aims to promote tourism during the upcoming national holidays. The measure, outlined in
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IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings: World Economic Outlook
The October 2024 update of the World Economic Outlook was launched during the IMF/World Bank annual meetings. The report notes that global growth is expected to remain stable but at relatively low levels. The growth projection of 3.2% in 2024 and
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Slovak Republic passes bill to introduce financial transaction tax, amends VAT, income tax and other tax rates
Slovak Republic’s parliament passed a government bill on 3 October 2024 introducing a new tax on financial transactions and amending several acts, including VAT and income tax rates. The key details of the bills are as follows: Financial
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Uruguay extends reduced VAT for tourism until April 2025
Uruguay’s Ministry of Economy and Finance has extended the 9% VAT reduction for certain tourism operations until 30 April 2025, provided that the payment is made using electronic payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards or e-money payment
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Thailand extends reduced VAT rate until 2025
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a resolution extending the reduced 7% VAT rate on imports, sale of goods, and provisions of services until 30 September 2025. The extension pushes the previous end date from 30 September 2024. The announcement was
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Slovak Republic approves draft bill with tax measures
The Slovak Republic government approved a draft legislation on 18 September 2024 amending various tax measures to consolidate the country's public finances. Taxation of high-income groups: The main changes include increased special levies for
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Vietnam extends 2% VAT reduction on specific goods and services until end of 2024
The Vietnamese government issued Decree No. 72/2024/ND-CP on 30 June 2024, which mandates an additional reduction in the VAT rate from 10% to 8% for various goods and services in the second half of 2024. Effective from 1 July 2024, the government
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Spain extends VAT cuts on essential food products
Spain’s Ministry of Finance announced in a release on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, that the Spanish Council of Ministers approved a Royal Decree-Law which extends the VAT rate reduction for basic food Items. The reduced rates were initially set to
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Slovak Republic: Parliament dismisses fuel tax cut and depreciation options
On 18 June, 2024, the Slovak parliament rejected two proposed laws to temporarily reduce VAT and excise duty rates on gasoline and diesel from 1 July, 2024 to 31 December, 2025. Previously on 17 April, 2024, the Slovak parliament proposed a VAT
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Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance proposes tax reforms for 2024
The Ministry of Finance in Vietnam is taking steps to improve the economy and support taxpayers. A draft resolution has been accomplished, outlining key changes that will come into effect in the second half of 2024. VAT rate reduction The
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Cyprus: Online applications required for reduced VAT on private dwellings
Starting on 27 May, 2024, Cyprus tax authorities announced that taxpayers seeking a reduced 5% value added tax (VAT) rate on the supply or construction of private dwellings must submit applications online via the Tax For All (TFA)
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Brazil proposes regulations for implementing dual VAT system
Brazil’s government submitted a proposal on Wednesday, 24 April, 2024, to introduce a new dual Value Added Tax (VAT) system in accordance with the tax reform bill to Congress. The bill is yet to be discussed, but if it is approved it will be
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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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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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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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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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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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