DTA between Qatar and Bangladesh ratified
On February 4, 2015, Qatar's Cabinet ratified the pending DTA between Qatar and Bangladesh at its meeting for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS Issues Draft Tax Interpretation Notes On HQs, Currencies
The South African Revenue Service has issued two draft tax interpretation notes for public comments regarding special tax relief for the regional headquarter companies of foreign multinationals, and on the application of foreign-currency conversion
See MoreSouth Africa-US FATCA Agreement Enters Into Force
The South Africa-United States FATCA Model 1A Agreement (2014) entered into force on 28 October 2014. The agreement was signed on 9 June 2014. Under the agreement, the US Government collects information regarding certain accounts maintained by
See MoreSaudi Arabia: Withholding tax update on freight and insurance on imported leased equipment
The Higher Appeal Committee ruled that freight and insurance paid on import of assets whether owned or leased should not constitute as Saudi source income. This ruling goes against the interpretation issued by the Department of Zakat and Income Tax
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS Releases Draft Guidance On Tax Breaks For Headquarters Companies
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) on February 12 2015 released draft guidance on tax incentives for headquarters companies, designed to encourage MNEs to local operations in South Africa as a gateway to African investment. The guide briefly
See MoreWTO concludes trade policy review of Brunei Darussalam
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has conducted its third trade policy review of Brunei Darussalam and has looked at progress since the previous review in 2008. The WTO noted that Brunei has simplified and liberalized its trade regime with the
See MoreNigeria: Nonresident companies must file income tax return on real profits basis
The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) in Nigeria has issued a notice demanding all nonresident companies with a permanent establishment (PE) or fixed base (FB) to file tax returns on real basis. The new directive will be applicable to tax
See MoreTurkey: Draft order to change electronic tax filing
The tax administration has issued Draft Order No. 397 on 16th December 2014 regarding a public consultation on electronic tax filing. Taxpayers who want to register to communicate electronically with the tax authorities must have a suitable
See MoreKazakhstan ratifies DTA with Qatar
On 30 January 2015, the President of Kazakhstan ratified the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Qatar for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. Furthermore Kazakhstan’s lower house
See MoreNigeria: Penalty and interest rates for unpaid tax has approved
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has released the accepted penalty and interest rates to be applied for the year 2015 on 2nd February 2015 regarding taxes not paid within the given periods. The 15% interest rate is determined while the
See MoreSouth Africa: Transfer Pricing Adjustments Regarding Withholding Tax Obligations
Under the income tax act, section 31(3), South Africa provide that any adjusted amount for transfer pricing and thin capitalization purposes, prior to 1 January 2015, constituted a deemed loan. The adjusted amount plus interest deemed to have
See MoreSouth Africa and India: Protocol to treaty enter into force
The amending protocol for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income between India and South Africa enters into force entered into force on 26 November 2014. The protocol generally applies
See MoreNigeria: Public notice of new filing rules for non-resident companies
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has issued a public notice in accordance with section 55 of the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) on 28th January 2015 requiring all resident and non-resident companies to file their tax returns on a real
See MoreAfrican Tax Research Network to Hold its First Annual Congress
The first Annual Congress of the African Tax Research Network (ATRN) is to take place in Zimbabwe on 2 to 4 September 2015. The ATRN has been established to continue dialogue, research and collaboration on tax matters between tax administrators, tax
See MoreNigeria: The Budget Proposal 2015 presents
The Coordinating Minister for Economy and Finance in Nigeria has presented the Budget proposal for the year 2015 to the National Assembly on 17th December 2014. The appropriation bill was talked in the second reading of the Senate on 15th January
See MoreNigeria: Reduction of taxes on transfer of property
The Lagos State Governor has issued Executive Order No. EO/BRF/001 of 2015 on 5th January 2015, which decreases taxes on transfer of property in Lagos. This order decreases the fees and charges payable for processing Governor's consent in respect of
See MoreSouth Africa: Information Exchange Agreement With Cook Islands Enters Into Force
The exchange of information agreement relating to tax matters between Cook Islands and South Africa entered into force on January 8, 2015. In the case of the Cook Islands, the treaty covers the personal income tax, the company income tax, the
See MoreTurkey: Blacklist of taxpayers has published
The Finance Ministry in Turkey has published on its website the blacklist of taxpayers with unpaid tax and fines that exceeds TRL 100 million on 27th December 2014. The list contains both individual and corporate taxpayers. It also includes some
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