China: Consumption tax on more luxury goods
China is considering broadening the scope of its consumption taxes to cover more luxury goods. This announcement comes as Chinese consumers are set to make up a third of luxury consumption globally by 2015, up from 27 percent in 2012. China already
See MoreAfghanistan – Pakistan DTA
Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to launch negotiations towards a double taxation agreement (DTA) at meetings on August 25, 2013. No further details of the negotiations or likely provisions of any future agreement are currently
See MoreAustralia: Changes to unfair dismissal related thresholds
Changes to numerous employment related financial thresholds which are listed every year have been proclaimed by the Australian Government. These are applicable from first July 2013. Both the employer and employee will be required to enter into an
See MoreAustralia: Liabilities classification for Thin Capitalization
As a consequence of changes to Australia’s thin capitalization rules taxpayers may need to review their thin capitalization position. Now every entity must have to consider whether their liabilities are debt or non-debt and the effect on the
See MoreAustralia: Prepare for an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) review
Australia is increasingly giving attention to transfer pricing issues and has recently introduced changes in the law to align the transfer pricing rules more closely to the OECD Guidelines. Taxpayers need to be completely ready for an Australian
See MoreChina: Tax exemption for small and micro-sized enterprises
The Chinese Finance Ministry (MOF) and the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) have announced VAT and business tax exemptions for small-sized businesses on 29th July 2013 and the new measure has come into effect from 1st August 2013. This
See MoreIndia – Indian government set up its first Tax Administration Reform Commission
The Indian government set up its first Tax Administration Reform Commission on 26 August 2013. The seven-member panel is being given eighteen months to draw up its recommendations. The Commission is likely to put forward proposals for the creation
See MoreMalaysia: Hike in Property Gains Tax
Malaysia is considering a hike in the real property gains tax (RPGT), which is imposed on the profits from the sale of properties within certain periods after their purchase. This would be done to restrict what is seen as too much speculation in the
See MoreSouth Korea- Planning of Acquisition Tax Cuts
The South Korean Government announced on 30 August 2013 that the tax rates on home purchases would be decreased in order to encourage a rise in transaction numbers. An exemption from property acquisition tax was granted in April 2013, but the
See MoreAustralia: Effective date of new Transfer Pricing rules
The new transfer pricing rules introduced by Australia are effective for years starting on or after 1st July 2013 and will apply to the transactions of all multinational entities operating in Australia. Before documenting their assessment forms,
See MoreChina signs agreement for mutual assistance in tax matters
China signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance on 27 August 2013 in Tax Matters. The Convention provides a framework for cooperation between tax authorities to exchange tax information. The OECD and the G20 are
See MoreChina: Eligibility of software enterprises for corporate income tax incentives
To clarify the rules concerning software enterprises that are eligible for certain corporate income tax incentives, China’s State Administration of Taxation has issued guidance on the issues arising in qualifying for these incentives. According
See MoreIndia – CBDT Releases Drafts on Transfer Pricing Safe Harbor Rules
India’s Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) released draft transfer pricing “safe harbor” rules as part of an initiative by the government to reduce the number of transfer pricing audits and protracted disputes on 14th August 2013,. Under the
See MoreIndia – No transfer pricing adjustment required on certain interest-free advances
Recently, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal by a ruling rejected and deleted transfer pricing adjustments proposed with respect to a taxpayer’s interest-free advances made to its related party (a U.S. subsidiary) on a finding that the taxpayer had
See MoreNew Zealand reforms the Inland Revenue Department
The New Zealand Government has announced to reform the Inland Revenue Department which intended to make it easier and less costly to taxpayers’. The first things of changes need to improvements of processes, skills and capabilities, and
See MorePhilippine: Collect taxes from online sellers
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) of Philippines’ has released a memorandum, which is ensure that it will start accumulate taxes from individuals and businesses for selling products online. This measure is already permitted under the tax law
See MoreVietnam: Issues Decree 92/2013 on implementation of CIT and VAT
Vietnam’s corporate income tax (CIT) and value added tax (VAT) guidance given in the Decree includes the following points: – Decrease of CIT to 20% for enterprises with a total annual revenue not exceeding VND 20 billion, effective since 1
See MoreVietnam and New Zealand sign double tax agreement
New Zealand signed a new double tax agreement (DTA) with Vietnam on August 5, 2013. When will become effective, dividends will be subject to a maximum withholding tax of 5% where the beneficial owner is a company directly holding at least 50% of the
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