China’s Finance Minister considering more tax reforms
At a press conference held at the National People's Congress, China's Minister of Finance suggested that there would be more tax reforms in the following year after the recent expansion of the value added tax pilot scheme. The Finance Minister
See MoreChina-ASEAN FTA Commission Meets
The Fifth Meeting of the Joint Commission of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) was held on March 11-13 2014. Delegations from China and the 10 ASEAN countries attended the meeting. The meeting focused on the implementation of the China-ASEAN Summit
See MoreAzerbaijan- Recounts tax reform progress in IMF meeting
On March 11, 2014, there was a meeting between an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation and Azerbaijan's deputy minister of taxes. In recent years Azerbaijan’s tax revenues have been increased due to the establishment of a durable,
See MoreAustralian Tax Break for Supporting Mining Activities
The Australian Government has introduced a consultation on plans to provide investors with a refundable tax offset for Greenfield mineral exploration costs incurred from July 1, 2014. Under the proposed program, a tax credit will be provided to
See MoreTaiwan- Proposal to increase business tax rates
Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance (“MOF") has recently spoken about efforts to improve Taiwan’s financial prospects. The proposals include plans to raise business tax rates on the banking and insurance industries, reduce the imputation credit ratio
See MoreSouth Korea: mergers and acquisitions activity and rental market
South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance presided over a Ministerial Meeting on the Economy on March 5 that discussed tax measures to stimulate mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in South Korea and to fine-tune
See MoreSingapore – Insurance company’s gain is capital and not taxable
The Court of Appeal in Singapore confirmed a decision of the High Court, finding that shares that an insurance company held in three other entities (i.e., core shares) were capital assets. Thus, the gain on disposal of these shares was capital and
See MoreSingapore: Budget 2014/15 aims to increase tax revenue
Singapore's Minister for Finance has stressed the importance of Singapore balancing its books over the long term, in the 2014/15 Budget speech. Already, with increased social and healthcare spending, the Singapore Government is forecasting a small
See MorePhilippines improves tax collection from large businesses
The Large Taxpayers Service (LTS) of the Philippines' Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has begun the 2014 tax season by praising corporate taxpayers for their contribution to the growth in collected revenue. In 2013 the LTS improved its 2013 revenue
See MorePeru signs DTA with South Korea
Peru completed its domestic ratification procedures on February 27, 2014, in respect of the double taxation agreement (DTA) with South Korea. The treaty was signed on 10 May 2012 and will enter into force when both countries have completed their
See MoreMalaysia – WTO Tracks Malaysian Tax Developments
The World Trade Organization (WTO) has recently stated in its Trade Policy Review of Malaysia that the country needs to implement fiscal consolidation and tax reforms to ensure equitable and sustainable growth. The WTO noted the country's plans for
See MoreMalaysia- issues filing program for calendar year 2014
The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia has issued the filing program for 2014: Non-corporate entities: Form Deadline period for submission Form E – Return Form of Employer 31 March 2014 hand
See MoreDTA between Laos and Luxembourg enters into force
According to preliminary media reports, the double taxation agreement (DTA) signed between Laos and Luxembourg will enter into force on March 21, 2014. The agreement, which was originally signed on 14 June 2013, will take effect from 1 January
See MoreIndia: Tribunal finds reimbursed advertising expenses were at arm’s length
The Mumbai Bench of the Income tax Appellate Tribunal has upheld an administrative action by the Commissioner of Income tax, to reject a proposed transfer pricing adjustment for advertising expenses reimbursed by the taxpayer to its related
See MoreHong Kong – Tax Authority Responds To Fair Value Accounting Case
Following the judgment of Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal in Nice Cheer Investment Limited v Commissioner of Inland Revenue (CIR), FACV 23/2012, the Inland Revenue Department has been requested, and has agreed, to accept financial statements
See MoreDTA between Austria and Taiwan
On February 20, 2014, Austria and Taiwan initialed a double taxation agreement (DTA) following three days of negotiations. No further details are currently
See MoreChina-Japan-ROK Free Trade Zone Negotiations
On March 4 2014 the fourth round of China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Zone negotiations was held in Seoul, Korea (ROK). The chief negotiator and Assistant Minister of Commerce of China led a delegation to attend the negotiations. Delegations from Japan
See MoreChina: VAT on telecoms
China’s plans to include telecoms services in the VAT pilot are progressing. It was confirmed in the Chinese Parliament that plans are advanced, although there was no indication of the VAT rate to be applied. This rate is expected to be 11%,
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