Hong Kong: Chief Executive announces new tax relief for SME & IT sectors
On October 11, 2017, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong proposed a new tax concession for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to the proposal, a new two-tier profit tax system that would reduce the corporate income tax rate to 8.25%
See MoreIndia: Government increases import tax on edible oils to highest in a decade
On 17 November 2017, the Indian government increased the import duties on various vegetable oils and soybeans oils through a notifications released on the website of the Central Board of Excise and Customs. The government has introduced these
See MoreChina passed a draft law to reinforce VAT reform
On 30 October 2017, the State Council executive meeting decided to abolish the business tax, which has been in force for over 60 years and decided to put an end to the provisional regulations on business tax and revise the provisional regulations on
See MoreChina: Tax benefits to boost small businesses
On 6 November 2017, according to a joint announcement by the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation, tax incentives will be expanded in China to reduce costs for agriculture-related and small-scale businesses, encouraging bank
See MoreChina publishes a circular to support technology industry
On 2 November 2017, China's State Administration of Taxation has issued Circular 79 of 2017 to expand tax incentives for advanced technology service enterprises. A 15% special corporate tax rate has been offered in 21 cities since 2014 on a pilot
See MoreHong Kong signs free trade agreement with ASEAN
On 13 November 2017, ASEAN and Hong Kong signed a free trade and investment agreement hoping to strengthen economic cooperation between the two sides and promote development in the region. Both agreements, ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement
See MoreTaiwan: MoF announces changes to the transfer pricing documentation rules
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) published the amendment of Transfer Pricing Audit Rules on 13th November 2017. The rules established three-tiered transfer pricing documentation in accordance with the OECD under the base erosion and profit shifting
See MoreSingapore: OECD concludes tax incentives meet international BEPS standards
Singapore is an "associated" jurisdiction under the BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) project. Singapore’s available tax incentives were reviewed by the Forum on Harmful Tax Practices and found to be “not harmful” under the peer review
See MorePakistan: Ministry orders compliance with tobacco control laws
On 10 November 2017, the Ministry of National Health Services has requested to all federal secretaries and provincial chief secretaries to take steps for ensuring compliance of tobacco control laws in best public interest. The Secretary Health
See MoreSingapore: Tax exemptions for corporate re-domiciliations
On 11 October 2017, Singapore's Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) has immediately adopted the Companies (Transfer of Registration) Regulations 201, which allows eligible foreign companies to relocate their registered offices to
See MoreIndia: GST rate reduced to 18% from 28%
On 10 November 2017, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council reduced the tax rate on 178 items from 28% to 18%. GST Council also brought all AC and non-AC restaurants in the 5% GST bracket without the input tax credit (ITC). Only 50 items, mostly
See MoreThailand: OECD concludes Thai incentives as harmful tax practices
The Thai government upon joining the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) inclusive framework, agreed to implement certain minimum standards under Action 5 (harmful tax practices). Part of the minimum standard under Action 5 relates preferential
See MoreThailand: Decree on corporate tax reduction options for SMEs released
On 31 October 2017, Royal Decree (No 647) was published allowing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to claim a double (200%) corporate tax deduction allowance for expenditure paid out for purchasing or hiring computer software programs
See MoreMalaysia: Prime Minister announces the Budget for 2018
On October 27, 2017, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak presented the budget for 2018, outlining government plans to combat rising costs and limit the country's fiscal deficit. Some of the key fiscal tax measures are summarized as follows: Tax
See MoreLatvia and Pakistan sign an agreement on avoidance of double taxation
Pakistan and Latvia on October 25, 2017, after the second round of negotiations, concluded an agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation with regard to income tax and prevention of tax evasion and avoidance (ADTA). Avoiding the double taxation
See MoreKorea: National Assembly set to increase e-cigarette taxes
On 20 October 2017, the Assembly Strategy and Finance Subcommittee of Korea passed a revised bill to increase the excise tax levied on a pack of 20 heat-not-burn (HNB) e-cigarettes sticks to 529 won from the current 126 won. The tax increase will
See MoreTaiwan: The Ministry of Finance publishes the CFC implementation rules
The Ministry of Finance has announced the implementation of CFC (controlled foreign company) rules on September 20, 2017. The main features of the CFC rules are summarized below: CFC definitions: Under the rules, a foreign company located in a
See MoreIndia: CBDT publishes rules for CbC reporting and Master File rule
On 1 November 2017, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has notified rules in respect of Country-by-Country reporting and furnishing of Master File. The significant features of the Country-By-Country Report and Master File rules are: The
See More