Japan: Changes to consumption tax and corporate income tax

03 November, 2013

The Japanese government officially announced on 1st October 2013 its plan to modify “consumption tax” and “corporate income tax”.  The highlights of the plan are summarized below: Consumption tax: In the period between 1 April 2014 and 30

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India – Government has raised VAT processing charges

31 October, 2013

In India the fee for accepting and processing Indian VAT annual returns was previously a flat INR 800 irrespective of the values in the return. But recently the Indian central government has raised the charges for accepting and processing Indian VAT

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India – Implications of GAAR from 2015

31 October, 2013

Recently, in India general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR) has been introduced which will become effective from 1 April 2015 (Financial Year 2015-16). The rules for application of the GAAR provide certain exceptions which clarify that the GAAR will not

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Chile-Thailand FTA signed

31 October, 2013

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has signed between Chile and Thailand on October 4, 2013. This follows a feasibility study by a Joint Study Group and further negotiation between the two countries. The agreement will remove 90% of tariffs on products

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China: Draft regulations relating labour dispatch

30 October, 2013

Recently, the government of China issued draft regulations relating to provisions of Labour Dispatch. Labour dispatch arrangements  are supplementary arrangements for provision of labour and can only apply in respect of temporary positions of six

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Australia may limit employment-related tax benefits

30 October, 2013

Australia has made a decisive step towards imposing restrictions on certain employment-related tax benefits which may include reforms in fringe benefits tax (FBT) and superannuation provisions. The new measures would adjust the caps outlining

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Australia: Documentation of R&D activities

30 October, 2013

As like other nations, Australia gives tax relief to companies taking part in research and development activities. However companies need to hold satisfactory documentation to show that their activities fall inside the meaning of these activities

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Australia: Draft Bill to repeal carbon tax

30 October, 2013

The Australian Prime Minister and Environment Minister on 15 October 2013 announce that the government has released draft legislation to repeal the carbon tax for public consultation. As per the government, the first enactment they will table in

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OECD: Welcomes Japanese tax increase

22 October, 2013

Recently, the Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister on 7 October 2013 that,  the nation will increase its consumption tax from its current 5% levy to 8%

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Japan: Published Fiscal Incentive Package

22 October, 2013

Japanese Prime Minister has confirmed on 4 October 2013 that, the Government is to provide a fiscal stimulus package to counteract the declining effects of a 3 percent consumption tax rate rise due next year. He also disclosed on 1st   October

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Indonesia-temporary tax payment relief

22 October, 2013

A new regulation providing a temporary cash flow relief for some taxpayers has been issued by The Ministry of Finance of Indonesia. The regulation is intended to sustain the positive cash flow of certain taxpayers for creating stable macro economy,

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India: introducing VAT compliance with more fines

22 October, 2013

India will introduce a new range of fines to help improve the weak compliance record of many firms, following a recent increase in the number of Indian VAT audits. From 12 September 2013, India announcing an increased fine regime, including: Late

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India: CBDT issues rules for application of GAAR

22 October, 2013

The government of India has allotted a General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) in order to combat tax avoidance. The GAAR which was originally introduced in the 2012/13 budget will be effective from 1 April 2016. The Rules are applicable for tax years

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Japan: Convention and protocol on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters enters into force

22 October, 2013

The multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters,  as amended by the 2010 protocol on 1st October 2013 which entered into force in respect of Japan. The Convention and the amending protocol generally apply from 1

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China: Tax breaks for solar manufacturers

22 October, 2013

Recently the Finance Ministry of China has announced that it intends to offer tax breaks to solar manufacturers since the industry is struggling to recover from both oversupply and diminished export demand. A short statement was posted on-line on

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China: Scope for 50% tax deduction on R&D expenses

22 October, 2013

The Ministry of Finance of China on 30 September 2013, released a circular which expands the criteria for enterprises to be eligible to claim the extra 50 percent tax deduction on expenses incurred from research and development. The super tax

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China: Clarifies VAT exempt services rules

22 October, 2013

Following the launch of the Chinese VAT pilot in 2012, the Chinese tax authorities released detailed guidance on September 2013 on the rules around the exemptions for VAT on export services. The services covered by the exemptions include transport

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Canada-Malaysia Tax Treaty Signed

22 October, 2013

Canada and Malaysia has signed a declaration of intent on October 7, 2013 to conclude a new tax agreement that will deduct tax obstacles and inspire to increase trade and investment. The new agreement will include provisions consistent with the

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