China: 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%,
See MoreChina aiming to speed up progress of FTA talks with Australia
Comments by the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia have been welcomed by the Australian Trade and . Investment Minister. On March 5 2014, in his speech to the annual meeting of the National
See MoreChina becomes largest trader of goods in the world
From the preliminary statistics produced by the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization, it appears that China became the biggest trader of goods in the world for the first time last year, overtaking the US. The total volume of China’s trade
See MoreCanada expand Commercial Ties with China
The Canadian Minister of State (Foreign Affairs and Consular) has recently concluded a four-day visit to Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Beijing, China, where she met with government and business leaders. The visit aimed to help position Canada as a
See MoreAustralian Prime Minister Loses Senate Carbon Tax Vote
The Australian Prime Minister’s plan to abolish Australia's carbon tax regime received a setback when the Senate failed to pass legislation to dismantle the independent Climate Change Authority. The bill was defeated on its second reading by 38
See MoreAlgeria – Negotiation of DTA with the United Kingdom
Negotiations have begun between Algeria and the United Kingdom towards a double taxation agreement (DTA), it was confirmed on March 2, 2014. No further details of the negotiations are currently
See MoreIsrael: Information regarding controlled transactions and documentation
According to the Art. 57 of Act 90/2003, parties are considered as related if they are part of a group under Art.2 Act 3/2006. The majority of shares is owned, directly or indirectly, by two or more legal entities within the group or they are
See MoreUnited Kingdom – India DTA protocol
As notified by the Indian Ministry of Finance on February 10, 2014, the Protocol amending the India-UK double taxation agreement (DTA) entered into force in the UK and India on December 27, 2013. The DTA Protocol is immediately effective in India,
See MoreTurkish electronic VAT invoices delayed until April 2014
The introduction of Turkish electronic VAT invoices has been delayed until 1 April 2014 due to continuing teething problems. Until this date, tax registered persons may continue to use paper-based VAT invoices. The original edict (Tax Procedural
See MoreTreaty between Philippines and Nigeria
The 1997 double taxation treaty between the Philippines and Nigeria entered into force on 18 August 2013 and applies as from 1 January 2014. A 12.5% maximum withholding tax applies to dividends paid to a company (other than a partnership) that holds
See MoreTreaty between Philippines and Kuwait
The 2009 double taxation treaty between the Philippines and Kuwait entered into force on 22 April 2013 and applies as from 1 January 2014. A 10% maximum withholding tax applies to dividends paid to a company (other than a partnership) that holds
See MoreSingapore: over 1.2m Taxpayers Need Not File Returns
The tax filing season in Singapore started on March 1, 2014. Around 1.23m taxpayers will not need to file a return, as more people benefit from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore's (IRAS) No-Filing Service (NFS). Taxpayers who have been
See MoreSingapore: Budget 2014
Singapore has recently issued the 2014 budget, containing provisions related to introduction of the Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) Scheme for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), PIC benefits on training employees, the extension of the
See MoreSingapore simplifies stamp duty rate regime
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has issued an e-Tax Guide explaining the stamp duty changes introduced in the Government's 2014 Budget on February 21, 2014. In Singapore stamp duty is payable on instruments relating to the
See MorePhilippines: Congress to prioritize bill raising tax exemption cap on 13th-month pay
Despite objection from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Congress will prioritize the passage of the bill raising the tax exemption cap on 13th-month pay, Christmas bonus and other work benefits. Congress leaders have agreed to give "urgent
See MoreNew Zealand: Convention on tax assistance enters into force
From 1st March 2014, the multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters will become effective for New Zealand. The Convention, which New Zealand ratified in November, will greatly enhance the country’s ability to combat
See MoreIndian Government wants tax officials to be more friendly
The Indian Government has requested that tax officials act as "facilitators" rather than "administrators," and ensure that the taxation system is as taxpayer friendly as possible. The Finance Minister has suggested that procedures should be
See MoreIndian Capital Gains Tax slows Saudi Investment
Concerns have been raised by foreign investors about the effect of India's taxation system, particularly its capital gains tax, on foreign investment. The issue was raised during the India-Saudi Arabia Business Forum in Delhi. The Forum also looked
See More