Singapore- US: Reach FATCA Agreement
The US and Singapore have completed their negotiations in respect of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to allow institutions in Singapore to carry out the provisions of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The FATCA requires the IRS to
See MorePakistan Warns Banks to Register For FATCA
The State Bank of Pakistan has issued advice to financial institutions to ensure that they register with the US IRS in respect of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). They have given this advice because the intergovernmental agreement
See MoreMalaysia – Transfer pricing documentation required for 2014 tax return
The Malaysian transfer pricing rules imposing the arm’s length principle are contained in section 140A of the Income Tax Act. The Inland Revenue Board has been increasing its scrutiny of the transfer pricing issues of large taxpayers and is
See MoreKazakhstan Announces Tax Breaks For Investors
The Kazakhstan government is introducing some new incentives for investors. These are reported to include a ten year corporate tax holiday for certain investments. The measures would also include a visa concession under which some investors could
See MoreJapan Planning Corporate Tax Cut Next Year
There are plans to lower the corporate tax rate following the work of the Tax Commission appointed by the Japanese government. The Commission suggested an eventual reduction of the corporate tax rate to around 25 percent, and the Deputy Economy
See MoreHong Kong Ensures Low-Tax Policies
The Financial Secretary has said that spending will be limited to 20 percent of the GDP so that the low tax regime may be retained without problems in balancing the budget. The Working Group on Long Term Fiscal Planning which was set up in June 2013
See MoreDTA between New Zealand and Vietnam enters into force
A new double tax agreement (DTA) has been signed by New Zealand and Vietnam. The agreement which came into force on May 7, 2014 is part of a plan to increase the trade between the two countries. The agreement is designed to encourage cross-border
See MoreChina: Announces the extensionof employment-boosting tax breaks
The Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) has jointly issued an announcement that tax breaks to increase employment are to be extended until 31 December 2016. The tax relief applies to companies that increase employment
See MoreThailand may face VAT rate increase
The VAT rate in Thailand may need to be increased from 7 percent to 10 percent as the economic growth slows down. The 7 percent rate was intended as a temporary measure but has continued for some time. The measure had been extended by a government
See MoreJapan – Possible BEPS-related implications under foreign dividend exclusion rule
In Japan the Cabinet Office has published a discussion paper setting out current tax issues for consultation. This paper concerns the developments in respect of base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) and the implications of the issues for the
See MoreHong Kong Reviews Efficacy of New Stamp Duties
The Legislative Council in Hong Kong recently requested information to enable it to assess the effect of tax changes that were brought in to ensure that the housing market did not overheat. These measures included the Special Stamp Duty (SSD)
See MoreUS and Hong Kong- tax information exchange agreement (TIEA)
On April 25 2014 Hong Kong gazetted the tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with the United States. The agreement will take effect after the relevant legislative procedures have been completed. The OECD has been encouraging the conclusion of
See MoreSingapore – GST rules affecting funds management industry
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore have finalized a set of rules relating to the impact of the goods and services tax (GST) on the funds management industry. Rules are laid down to establish the
See MoreSingapore – Finding of tax avoidance arrangement upheld on appeal
In Singapore a decision of the High Court on a tax avoidance arrangement has been upheld by the Court of Appeal. Although the taxpayer had made an arrangement to avoid tax the Court found that the Comptroller had acted beyond the powers bestowed by
See MoreSingaporean DTA with Barbados in Force
The double taxation agreement (DTA) concluded between Singapore and Barbados came into force on April 25, 2014. The agreement which was originally signed in July 2013 provides for a nil withholding tax rate on dividends, a 12 percent withholding
See MoreHong Kong: Raises air passenger security charge
Hong Kong’s Airport Authority has raised the passenger security charge with effect from June 1 2014. This charge is paid by each passenger departing from Hong Kong International Airport and is to be increased by 36 percent. This passenger security
See MoreFATCA agreement between Australia and United States signed
Australia and the United States signed an agreement relating to US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) on 28 April 2014. These intergovernmental agreements are being concluded by the US in connection with the implementation of the FATCA in
See MoreVietnam – Tax Revenue Receipts Increase
In Vietnam the tax collections in the first three months of 2014 reached VND134 trillion (USD6.37bn). This amount is 16.5 percent more than in the same period in 2013, and represents the highest level of first-quarter revenue in the past three
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