Oman introduces tax card system from 1 July 2020
On 18 May 2020, the tax authority of Oman issued Decision No. 27/2020 declaring that the tax card system will apply from 1 July 2020. The tax card system provides a specific tax identification number. The taxpayers will be required to pay an
See MoreSaudi Arabia: GAZT releases the second edition of transfer pricing guidelines
In May 2020, the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) of Saudi Arabia has released the second edition of Transfer Pricing Guidelines (translated version). The Guidelines includes most of the section of the first edition, which was released in
See MoreNigeria: FIRS announces to extend deadline for interest and penalty relief
On 2 June 2020, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) issued a public notice to extend the deadline for obtaining a waiver of interest and penalty on outstanding tax debts resulting from tax desk review, audit and/or investigation assessments.
See MoreTurkey increases withholding tax on capital gains from specific FX hedge funds
On 3 June 2020, the Turkish Revenue Administration has published Presidential Decree No. 2604 in the official gazette, through which the withholding tax on the portfolio income of the specific foreign exchange hedge (Also called FX hedge) funds has
See MoreTurkey: Parliament considers bill to ratify BEPS Multilateral Instrument (MLI)
On 2 June 2020, a draft ratification law has been submitted to the Turkish Parliament for the ratification of the multilateral convention to implement tax treaty related measures to prevent base erosion and profit shifting (MLI). The following day,
See MoreTurkey fixes tax return deadline for taxpayers of 65 and above amid COVID-19
On 2 June 2020, the Turkish Revenue Administration has published an announcement regarding the declaration and payment obligation of taxpayers aged 65 and over who are exempted from curfew with the new normalization process. In the announcement, it
See MoreZambia: Supreme Court makes a decision on a transfer pricing case
On 20 May 2020, the Supreme Court of Zambia has made a decision on a transfer pricing case relating to arm’s length transaction. Since 2009, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has been battling with Mopani Copper Mines and its Swiss parent
See MoreSaudi Arabia: MLI enters into force
On 1 May 2020, the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI) entered into force with respect to Saudi Arabia. On 23 January 2020, Saudi Arabia deposited its instrument of
See MoreEgypt approves Law adopting a number of financial rules amid COVID-19 pandemic
On 7 May 2020, the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has approved Law 24 of 2020 regarding some financial rules in response to COVID-19 pandemic, along with other decisions that include important facilities regarding the real estate tax,
See MoreEthiopia: Council of Ministers adopts economic measures due to COVID-19 pandemic
On 26 April 2020, the Council of Ministers of Ethiopia has adopted a number of economic measures in response to coronavirus outbreak. Following the decision of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance has issued Directive No.64/2020
See MoreKenya publishes finance bill 2020 including taxation of digital economy
On 5 May 2020, the Kenya government published the Finance Bill, 2020 that includes a proposal for digital services tax and minimum tax. The bill proposes that income from services earned through a digital marketplace in Kenya will be taxed at the
See MoreKenya submits the finance bill 2020 to parliament
On 6 May 2020, the finance bill for 2020 was presented to the National Assembly National Assembly for its consideration. The bill includes the following proposals related to corporate income tax; Introduction a minimum tax payable at 1% of gross
See MoreGhana: Parliament approves tax measures in response to COVID-19 outbreak
On 1 May 2020, the Parliament of Ghana passed the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2020 to introduce several emergency tax measures in response to Covid-19 pandemic. The approved income tax measures are as follows: An individual who makes withdrawals
See MoreAlgeria: Council of Ministers organizes a meeting regarding draft Finance Bill 2020
On 10 May 2020, the Council of Ministers arranged a meeting by video conference regarding the discussion and approval of draft Finance Bill 2020. In that meeting, following issues were coming up: The deadline extension of the 50% reduction in
See MoreNigeria: FIRS issues several Circulars on provisions of tax laws amended by Finance Act 2019
On 9 May 2020, the Federal Internal Revenue Service (FIRS) issued the following Information Circulars numbered through 2020/02 – 08. The Circulars provides guidance to stakeholders regarding the interpretation of the amendments to extant tax laws
See MoreSaudi Arabia: Government hikes VAT to 15% as of July 2020
On 10 May 2020, the Saudi Arabia Government has decided to raise value-added tax (VAT) from 5% to 15% on all goods and services as of July 2020. The government will also suspend the cost of living allowance from June as part of the austerity steps.
See MoreEgypt extends deadline submitting the electronic VAT return amid COVID-19
On 29 April 2020, the Egyptian Tax Authority has announced that the date for submitting the electronic value-added tax (VAT) return for February 2020 has been extended until 10 May 2020 in response to COVID-19
See MoreCOVID-19: Mozambique announces tax relief measures due to coronavirus
The Council of Ministers Mozambique approved the Decree No. 23/2020, of 27 April which includes a number of fiscal and customs measures in response to coronavirus pandemic. The Decree contains the following measures that are valid until 31
See More