Hong Kong revises eligible debt instruments for profits tax concessions
On 6 February 2024, the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD) released the updated lists of Qualifying Debt Instruments (QDIs) at the end of 31 December 2023. The lists include: Qualifying Debt Instruments issued before 1 April 2018
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Singapore: IRAS updates list of jurisdictions under AEOI-CRS
On 1 February 2024, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) revised lists of the jurisdictions involved in reportable and participating jurisdictions in the automatic exchange of information (AEOI) regarding financial accounts under the
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South Korea implements tax reforms including deferring UTPR to 2025Â
South Korea has implemented various tax changes as part of the 2024 tax reform measures passed by the parliament in late 2023. The main tax measures are: The global minimum tax (GloBE) rules have been amended, with the undertaxed payment/profit
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India: Finance Minister presents interim union budget for 2024-2025
On 1 February 2024, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister of India, presented the interim union Budget for 2024-25 to Parliament. The key tax-related highlights of the Union budget include: Corporate tax: Domestic companies currently
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Australia: ATO deliberating on amended interest limitation rules
On  30 January 2024, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) announced that it is seeking public input and feedback on guidance and advice related to the amendments to the interest deduction limitation rules, also known as thin capitalization rules.
See MoreAustralia: ATO release guidance on depreciation of composite items
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released the final iteration of the Taxation Ruling (TR) 2024/1, titled "Income tax: composite items - identifying the relevant depreciating asset for capital allowances". This ruling provides guidance to
See MoreAustralia: ATO issues guidance on hybrid mismatch rules
On 30 January 2024, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) published guidance on the hybrid mismatch rules. The guidance explains why hybrid mismatch rules exist, how hybrid mismatch rules work and when they should be applied. Australia's hybrid
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India: CBDT issues circular explaining tax provisions under Finance Act 2023
On 23 January 2024, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) of India released Circular No. 1/2024 explaining the tax provisions outlined in the Finance Act 2023. The circular is presented with the statement, "This circular elucidates the essence of
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Australia announces amendments to personal income tax rates and thresholds from July 2024Â
On 25 January 2024, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) declared proposed changes to individual income tax rates and thresholds from 1 July 2024. These changes are yet to become law. The key proposed tax cuts will: reduce the 19 % tax rate
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Singapore: IRAS updates list of jurisdictions participating under MCAA-CbC
On 19 January 2024, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) updated the list of jurisdictions participating under the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA) on the Exchange of Country-by-Country (CbC) Reports. Under the
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Malaysia releases guidance on investment tax allowance in manufacturing sectorsÂ
On 24 January 2024, the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia published Public Ruling No. 1/2024, Investment Tax Allowance – Promoted Product Under The Manufacturing Sector. This public ruling outlines specific guidance related to the manufacturing
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India: CBDT issues notification for non-resident investors in financial products by IFSC capital market intermediaries
On 4 January 2024, India's Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued Notification No. 4/2024 as per the provisions of Section 10, Clause 4G, of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This notification specifically addresses entities who are not residents and
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Kazakhstan: National Bank reduces the base interest rate from January 2024
The National Bank of Kazakhstan, or Kazakhstan's central bank, announced that it had reduced the annual base interest rate from 15.75% to 15.25%. The new base interest rate will be effective from 22 January 2024. The interest rate holds
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IMF Report Comments on the Sri Lankan Economy
On 19 January 2024 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Sri Lanka. The report notes that the economic reform program implemented by Sri Lanka is helping economic recovery with positive real GDP growth in the third quarter of 2023,
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IMF: Report Issued Following Consultations with Australia
On 18 January 2024 the IMF issued a report following discussions with Australia under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. The report noted that although Australia’s post-pandemic recovery was strong, tighter macroeconomic policies
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Hong Kong offers tax deductions for mobile network operators on spectrum utilization fees
On 19 January 2024, the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department declared the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Deductions for Spectrum Utilization Fees) Ordinance 2024. This ruling has been published in the Official Gazette and introduces tax deductions
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Australia: ATO plans draft taxation ruling on royalties
On 17 January 2024, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) announced that it started consultation on a new Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2024/D1 Income tax: royalties - character of payments in respect of software and intellectual property rights. The new
See MoreMalaysia considering increasing service taxes
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD) announced that it is considering a proposal to increase the service tax rate to 8% from the current 6% and expand the service tax scope—effective 1 March 2024. The service taxes increase a part of the
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