UAE: Complying with the United States FATCA
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) dispensed a letter to Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC), on 1 May 2014, regarding a program to collaborate with the United States on Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) compliance.
See MoreTurkey: Turkish Petroleum Law regarding Taxation, Import, Export and Transfers
The Turkish Petroleum Law came into force on 11 June 2013. This Law introduced a revolution in the Turkish oil and gas industry as it levelled the playing field for foreign investors and removed the privileged rights of the State oil company. As
See MoreDTA between Czech Republic and Senegal negotiated
The scheduled of the first round negotiations for a tax treaty between Czech Republic and Senegal is set to take place from 9th December to 12th December 2014 in Prague. Further details of this treaty will be reported
See MoreHungary, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jersey: Approval of TIEA
On 25th October 2014, the Hungarian parliament approved the pending income tax treaties with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and a tax information exchange agreement with Jersey. On 24th February 2014, the tax treaty between Hungary and Bahrain was signed
See MoreSingapore and UAE: amending protocol to DTA signed
On 31st October 2014, Singapore signed an amending protocol to the countries' income tax treaty. This is the first amendment of the 1995 treaty. The protocol will enter into force after the countries exchange ratification
See MoreSlovenia and UAE: DTA and accompanying protocol entered into force
On 27 August 2014 the Slovenia and United Arab Emirates treaty and accompanying protocol entered into force. The treaty and protocol was signed in Washington on October 12, 2013. As per the treaty, dividends, interest, and royalties will be taxable
See MoreLuxembourg and UAE: protocol to DTA signed
On 26th October 2014, Luxembourg and the United Arab Emirates signed a protocol to the 2005 Luxembourg and U.A.E. income tax treaty in Abu Dhabi. The protocol will broaden the possibility of the treaty and updates to bring it up to the OECD
See MoreTurkey: free trade zones are not required to calculate VAT
The tax court of Turkey settles that entities functioning in free trade zones are not required to calculate value added tax (VAT) using a reverse-charge basis with respect to services provided by resident and non-resident companies who are subject
See MoreDubai and China: first Chinese issuer to list a bond on an exchange in the Middle East
China has issued an RMB 1bn three-year bond on NASDAQ Dubai. The Agriculture Bank of China (ABC), China's third largest bank by assets, became the first Chinese issuer to list a bond on an exchange in the Middle East. The Emirate's stylish financial
See MoreDTA between Japan and UAE
Japan and United Arab Emirates signed an Income Tax Treaty (2013) on 24 November 2014 and will be applicable from January 1, 2015. Details of the treaty will be reported
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS Issues Tax Ruling On Unbundling Transactions
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a draft Binding General Ruling (BGR), the interpretation of Section 46 of the Income Tax Act, which deals with unbundling transactions. A company under an unbundling transaction (the unbundling
See MoreExchange of Information Agreements (TIEAs) between South Africa and Argentina enters into force
According to media reports, the tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) signed between South Africa and Argentina entered into force on November 28, 2014. The Agreement shall apply to any identical taxes imposed after the date of signature of the
See MoreMauritius: Guidance for implementing FATCA
The Mauritius Revenue Authority released guidance on 26 November 2014 which is intended to provide practical assistance to financial institutions, businesses, and officials dealing with the application of the FATCA regulations. Also, this guidance
See MoreTurkey-Iraq Income and Capital Tax Treaty has authorized and signed by Iraq
The Iraqi Council of Ministers has certified the Finance Ministry to negotiate and sign an Income and Capital Tax Treaty with Turkey on 13th November 2014. Details information regarding this treaty will be reported
See MoreSouth Africa: National Treasury Publishes Regulations For Tax-Free Savings
National Treasury has published the draft Notice and Regulations required to allow the introduction of tax free savings accounts from March 1, 2015. The draft Notice lists the service providers that may offer tax-free savings and investments to the
See MoreSouth Africa: National Treasury Spell out Foreign Pension Tax Exemption
The South African Service (SARS) has clarified the foreign pension tax exemption system relating to foreign pension payments that are received by or accrue to a South African resident under Binding General Rulings (BGR). A Binding General Ruling
See MoreIreland signs new Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Ethiopia
Ireland and Ethiopia has signed a new Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) on November 3, 2014. The legal procedures to bring these agreements into force will need to be
See MoreGhana: Ghana Revenue Authority Launches e-Tax Portal
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has launched an online portal to easily facilitate compliance, processing and collection of taxes by the authority, on 4th November 2014 at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. The portal would re-engineer
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