Kenya presents budget for 2017-18
The Cabinet Secretary submitted the budget for 2017-18 to the National Assembly on 30 March 2017. the main changes are summarised below: Withholding taxes Dividends paid to non-residents by enterprises operating in Special Economic Zones will be
See MoreOman introduces special tax regime for small businesses
Royal Decree 9 of 26 February 2017 launched a number of key changes to the Income Tax Law issued by way of Royal Decree 28 of 2009, including a special regime for small businesses. The small business will be subject to income tax at a rate of 3%. A
See MoreOman: Treatment of withholding tax on dividends
On 20 March 2017, the Capital Market Authority of Oman issued Circular E/3/2017 clarifying the application of withholding tax on dividends recently introduced by way of Royal Decree 9 of 26 February 2017. The circular clarifies that the withholding
See MoreDTA between Cyprus and Iran entered into force
The income tax treaty between Cyprus and Iran entered into force on 5 March 2017. The treaty was signed on 4 August 2015. The treaty generally applies from 1 January 2018. Under the treaty, the withholding tax on dividends is 5% if the beneficial
See MoreGhana: Gazetted four tax amendment acts
The government published the gazette notification on 15 March 2017 regarding the following various tax amendment Acts: (i)Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2017: modified the Income Tax Act 2015 by exempting gains realised on the sale of the securities of
See MoreUAE: Information regarding proposed VAT regime reveals
The Finance Ministry (MoF) presented a value added tax (VAT) briefing session for advisors on 21st March 2017. The session expected to send a message to the market that VAT is approaching and businesses must start to prepare immediately. The
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS issues ruling on MFN clause in a treaty with Sweden
On 1 March 2017, the South African Revenue (SARS) issued a private binding ruling no. BPR 267 regarding dividends tax and the ‘most favoured nation’ clause in a tax treaty concluded with Sweden. The ruling determines whether dividends tax must
See MoreBahrain ratifies DTA with Bangladesh
On 21 March 2017, Bahrain ratified the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Bangladesh for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, by way of Law No.
See MoreNigeria: Proposal in tax policy measures published
The Economic Growth and Recovery Plan for 2017 to 2020 has been published on 7th March 2017 by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. It made a proposal on VAT rate in case of luxury goods increases to 15% from 5% and it will effect from
See MoreTurkey: Announcement of unilateral APA signed
The Tax Administration of Turkey declared an announcement on 20th March 2017 that it had signed a new unilateral Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) on 1st March 2017. The APA is prepared on the basis of article 13 of Corporate Tax Law No.
See MoreTurkey: Reduction in stamp duty, deed fees and RUSF rates
The Decree 2017/9973 was published in the official gazette on 15th March 2017 that reduces stamp duty, deed fees and Resource Utilization Support Fund (RUSF) rates on certain transactions. The Decree entered into force on the day of its publication.
See MoreGhana: Parliament Approves the Budget for 2017
The Parliament approved the Budget for the 2017 financial year after six days of fierce debate on it between the Majority and Minority sides. The budget which was the first one for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government since assuming power on
See MoreSaudi Arabia- Regulations for implementation of Zakat issued
The Tax Authority of Saudi Arabia issued the Regulations for implementation of Zakat under Ministerial Resolution No. 2082 of 28 February 2017 (01/06/1438H) on 9 March 2017, The regulations applies to all commercial activities established for
See MoreDTA between Ghana and Mauritius signed
Ghana and Mauritius signed a tax treaty for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion in Port Louis on 11 March
See MoreTurkey: Communiqués on Law regarding R&D incentives publishes
The General Communiqués (Communiqué Nos. 7 and 8) regarding research and development (R&D) incentives were published on 8th March 2017 in the Official Gazette. The Communiqués Nos. 7 and 8 amend General Communiqué Nos. 4 and 6 on Law No.
See MoreTurkey: Tax amendments gazetted
The Law No. 6824 was published in the official gazette on 8th March 2017 that amend a number of laws. Under the Law, a compliant taxpayer is defined as a taxpayer not having tax debts or not including tax penalties over the amount of TRY 1,000. The
See MoreDTA between Qatar and Paraguay initialed
An Income Tax Treaty between Qatar and Paraguay has been initialed on 8th March 2017 for avoiding double
See MoreDTA between Qatar and Turkey ratified
The Income Tax Treaty of 2016 between Qatar and Turkey has been ratified on 8th March 2017 by Qatar for avoiding double taxation. When in force and effective, this new treaty will replace the previous Income tax treaty of
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