EU, UAE initiate FTA negotiations
The EU and the UAE began talks for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) on 28 May 2025 to promote economic transformation in both regions.ย The European Union and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) formally launched negotiations for a bilateral
See MoreRussia approves new income tax treaty with UAE
Russia has approved a new tax treaty with the UAE to enhance tax cooperation and replace the limited 2011 agreement.ย Russiaโs government has approved a draft law to ratify a new income and capital tax treaty with the UAE on 29 May
See MoreQatar, Kuwait sign income tax treaty
Qatar and Kuwait have signed an income tax treaty aimed at preventing double taxation.ย Qatar and Kuwait signed their first income tax treaty on 1 June 2025. The agreement seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework to prevent double
See MoreKazakhstan, Oman sign income tax treaty
Kazakhstan and Oman signed their first income tax treaty on 29 May 2025.ย Kazakhstan and Oman signed an income tax treaty on 29 May 2025 in Astana. The Omani delegation was led by Minister of Finance Sultan bin Salim al Habsi and included
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS lowers interest rate for taxation on interest-free and low-interest loans
SARS lowers official interest rate for fringe benefits on employer loans from 8.50% to 8.25%, effective 1 June 2025.ย The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced a reduction in the official interest rate used to calculate fringe
See MoreNigeria implements incentives to enhance cost efficiency in upstream petroleum operations
The President signed an incentives program to encourage cost efficiency in upstream petroleum operations, which includes a tax credit of up to 20% of an operatorโs annual tax liability. Nigeria's Ministry of Information and National Orientation
See MoreSouth Africa: SARB reduced repo rate by 25 basis points
The SARB has cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.75%, effective 30 May 2025.ย The South African Reserve Bank's (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points, with effect from 30 May
See MoreSouth Africa revises guide for withholding tax on royalties return
SARS updates guide for Withholding Tax on Royalties (WTR01), effective 30 May 2025. Includes filing, payment, and refund processes, with references to the Income Tax Act. Email submissions remain open for LBI and HWI taxpayers. The South African
See MoreUAE clarifies VAT obligations on imported services
The UAEโs FTA has clarified the VAT treatment of imported services in Public Clarification VATP044, confirming that taxable persons must account for output tax on such services and may recover input tax if conditions are met. The UAE Federal
See MoreQatar approves tax exemption on capital gains from group restructuring
Qatar has approved a tax exemption on capital gains from group restructurings, aiming to boost investment, support business growth, and enhance economic competitiveness. Qatarโs General Tax Authority announced its support for the Cabinetโs
See MoreAlgeria extends 2024 transfer pricing filing deadline
The deadline has been further extended to 5 June 2025. Algeria's Directorate General of Taxes announced on 28 May 2025 an extension of the 2024 transfer pricing declaration deadline for the 2024 financial year. Algeriaโs tax authorities have
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS clarifies revised carbon offset rules
The update modifies the eligibility criteria for renewable energy projects under the carbon offset allowance. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has released an Explanatory Memorandum on 15 March 2025 outlining amendments to the Carbon
See MoreIran ratifies income tax treaty with Finland
Iranโs President signed the law ratifying the income tax treaty on 24 May 2025.ย Iranโs President Masoud Pezeshkian has signed the law to ratify the income tax treaty with Finland on 24 May 2025. Signed on 7 February 2022, this is the
See MoreUAE: MoF temporarily eases listing requirement for REIT exemption
The Decision outlines conditions for certain Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to qualify for corporate tax exemption. The UAE Ministry of Finance has issued Ministerial Decision No. 96 of 2025 on Conditions to Exempt Certain Real Estate
See MoreSwitzerland, UAE DTA second protocol enters into force
The amended Switzerland-UAE income tax treaty took effect on 5 May 2025, following the signing of the amending protocol to the treaty on 5 November 2022.ย According to an announcement in the Swiss Official Gazette dated 19 May 2025, the second
See MoreIvory Coast: National Assembly ratifies income tax treaty with Qatar
Ivory Coastโs National Assembly approved the ratification of the income tax treaty with Qatar on 21 May 2025, following earlier approval by the Council of Ministers in 2024. Ivory Coastโs National Assembly has approved the ratification of the
See MorePapua New Guinea, UAE negotiates tax treaty, IPA
Papua New Guinea and UAE officials have started negotiations to advance bilateral ties, focusing on trade, investment, and technical cooperation.ย Papua New Guineaโs (PNG) Prime Minister Hon. James Marape met with the Special Envoy of the
See MoreCzech Republic, Oman conclude new income and capital tax treaty negotiations
The treaty now awaits formal signing and ratification. Representatives from the Czech Republic and Oman concluded negotiations for a treaty on income and capital taxes on 22 May 2025. The agreement is expected to eliminate double taxation
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