Thailand: Cabinet approves draft Transfer Pricing Act
On 3 January 2018, the Thai Cabinet approved the draft transfer pricing act following a public hearing held in July 2017 on the first draft Act that was approved in principle in May 2015. Subject to a legislative procedure and announcement, the
See MorePhilippines: DoF releases the second package of the tax reform bill
The Philippines Department of Finance (DOF) released the second package of the tax reform on 9 January 2018, as part of the country's broader Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP). Under the Package Two, the DOF aims to lower the CIT rate from 30%
See MoreHong Kong publishes a bill to implement transfer pricing documentation
On 29 December 2017, Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 6) Bill 2017 published in order to sets out rules on transfer pricing documentation including country-by-country reporting, and contains other measures to implement the minimum standards under
See MoreTaiwan: MoF increases dividends withholding tax rate
Taiwan's Ministry of Finance (MoF) has stated that, the withholding tax rate on dividends paid to nonresidents is increased from 20% to 21%. The withholding tax rate effects from 1st January 2018. Ministry of Finance further said that this standard
See MoreMalaysia: Budget-2018 introduces a number changes to GST
Malaysia's 2018 budget introduced a number of changes to the tax regime for goods and services. These include: The sale of newspapers, magazines and books is newly classified as a zero value Exempting municipal services from GST Exempting
See MoreHong Kong: IRD introduces two tiered profits tax rate
The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No.7) Bill published on 29 December 2017 proposes to modify Hong Kong’s tax relief for various businesses including reinsurance, captive insurance, aircraft leasing, shipping and corporate treasury centers as these
See MoreKorea: Free Trade Agreement (FTA) lending a helping hand to strengthen Australian Exports
After the KAFTA (Korean-Australian Free Trade Agreement) coming into action since 12th December, 2014 enabling the Korean FTA chipping in to boost the Australian exports, it has been a sheer class of masterstroke which has immensely uplifted the
See MoreKazakhstan: Law signed for ratifying DTA with Ireland
The President of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, signed a law on December 29, 2017, for ratifying the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Ireland. The Treaty is aimed at strengthening and expanding economic cooperation between Kazakhstan and
See MoreAustralia: New guidance on DPT
On 18 December 2017, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) published a draft law companion guideline (LCG) 2017/D7 on Diverted profits tax (DPT) for public consultation. The draft Guideline addresses Schedule 1 to the Treasury Laws Amendment Act 2017
See MoreChina: New guidance of CbC reporting
On 19 December 2017, China’s tax authority issued a public notice No. 46 clarifying country-by-country (CbC) reporting matters, that illustrate certain provisions of country-by-country (CbC) reporting will not apply for the CbC report for
See MoreJapan issues tax reform plan for 2018
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan accepted a tax reform package on 14 December 2017. Based on the draft, a tax reform bill (The Bill) will be drafted. The bill will be submitted to Parliament and is expected to enter into force by the end
See MoreNew Zealand: A tax bill regarding BEPS introduces in Parliament
A tax bill which will counter base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) by multinational companies has been introduced into Parliament on 6th December 2017. The bill would implement the government’s policies concerning BEPS matters. The proposals
See MoreNew Zealand: A tax bill to counter tax avoidance introduces into Parliament
On 6 December 2017, a tax bill to counter tax avoidance has been introduced into New Zealand’s Parliament by multinational companies and Minister of Revenue also published its commentary on the bill. Most provisions would enter into effect July
See MoreKorea passed the budget for 2018
The Government passed the 2018 budget on 6 December 2017. Under the budget, the threshold of the new highest corporate income tax rate of 25% has been increased from KRW 200 billion to KRW 300 billion. A 10% local income tax surcharge is also
See MoreAzerbaijan: VAT on Uber rides
Azerbaijan will apply a new VAT rate of 18% on Uber from 1 December 2017. The tax will be collected as a withholding tax on payments through bank
See MoreIndia clarifies position on acceptance of the MAP and bilateral APA
On 27 November 2017, the Indian Government has announced that the MAP for transfer pricing disputes and the bilateral advance pricing agreement (APA) process would be available to taxpayers even where Article 9(2) or the equivalent is not present in
See MoreHong Kong-Belarus tax treaty enter into force
On 30 November 2017, the income and capital tax treaty between Hong Kong and Belarus entered into force. The agreement was signed on 16 January 2017. It will be in effect in Hong Kong for any year of assessment beginning on or after April 1, 2018.
See MoreLatvia: Parliament approves protocol to tax treaty with Singapore
On 30 November 2017, the Latvian Parliament agreed to ratify the protocol to income tax treaty with Singapore. The protocol was signed on 20 April 2017 to amend the income tax treaty of 1999. The protocol will enter into force once both parties have
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