China to pursue tax reforms
According to a statement by China’s State Council, after a meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao, the government promised to push forward its structural reform programmes, including tax measures, to improve the country’s economic development and
See MoreChina’s Tax Revenues Rise in 2011
Recently released final figures from China’s Ministry of Finance show that, in 2011, its tax revenue reached a total of RMB8.97 trillion (USD1.42 trillion), an increase of more than RMB1.65 trillion or 22.6% over the previous year. The significant
See MoreThailand Increases Bank Tax
From July 31, 2012, all banks in Thailand will have to pay an increased levy to help fund the public debt that arose out of financing their rescue during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. In order that the government will be able to borrow additional
See MoreHong Kong Reduces Taxes to Support Growth
On 2 February 2012 Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary unveiled a 2012/13 Budget which proposes a wide range of tax concessions aimed at supporting businesses and individuals, who face a possible global economic slowdown. The Financial Secretary said
See MoreIndian Service Tax regime will change from 1 July 2012
The Indian Service Tax regime will change from 1 July 2012. Currently, Service Tax, part of the Indian VAT CENVAT regime, is charged on services at varying, codified rates. This is now moving to a ‘Negative List’ system, meaning that all
See MoreDTA between Taiwan and Germany Signd
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 3 January 2012 that Taiwan and Germany have signed a bilateral double taxation agreement (DTA). The DTA, which is subject to ratification procedures in both countries before it enters into force,
See MoreJapan’s Government Agrees Plan for Consumption Tax Hikes
It was reported on 2 January 2012 that Japan’s Prime Minister has been able to fulfill his government’s target to produce a detailed plan for future consumption tax rises, but only after his personal intervention at a meeting of the ruling
See MoreJapan: Raise of consumption tax rate
It was published on 31 December 2011 that, the Japanese coalition government has put forward long awaited plans to raise Japanese consumption tax to 10% by April 2015 in two steps. First there will be an increase from the current 5% consumption tax
See More2012 Budget issued by the Japanese government
The Government of Japan has approved and submitted a JPY90.3 trillion budget for the next fiscal year, beginning on April 1, 2012. The proposed budget will be presented to the country’s parliament early in 2012. The Japanese government has
See MorePhilippines: Increase in individual income tax revenue from 2012
In order to increase the collection of individual income tax by some 15%, the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has disclosed that it will raise its budget in 2012. Individual income tax represents over 20% of BIR’s annual revenue
See MoreDTA with Taiwan has been recognized by Switzerland
Switzerland’s Federal Council has recently recognized the double taxation agreement (DTA) of October 8, 2007 with Chinese Taipei (Taiwan). The federal act on the recognition of private agreements for the avoidance of double taxation of June 17,
See MoreTIEA Signed between Japan and Jersey
On December 2, 2011, a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) between Japan and Jersey was signed, in London by the Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom, and Jersey’s Chief Minister. The TIEA will enter into force on the 30th day after the
See MoreThailand: Import Tariff Exemptions
Thailand’s government has approved the waiving of duties on their imports of machinery and spare parts, until the end of June 2012. The measure was taken to help businesses with plants damaged by the floods in the country. The measure will cover
See MoreExpansion of Preferential Tariffs in South Korea
With effect from January 1, 2012 a further expansion of its tariff exemption programme for products from least-developed countries (LDCs) has been announced by the South Korea’s Ministry of Strategy and Finance. Mostly 250 items of agricultural,
See MoreChina’s pilot scheme on VAT in Shanghai
A pilot scheme to replace the existing business tax on the country’s service sector with value added tax (VAT) has been declared by China’s Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation. The project will be in Shanghai starting
See MoreTaiwan: Income Tax Exemption on Royalties
The income tax exemption for royalties paid to foreign enterprises will be limited to the extent of their domestic use as per declaration of the Taiwan’s National Tax Administration (NTA). The NTA confirmed that the domestic companies that, when
See MoreChina plans VAT and Service tax reform in Shanghai
Chinese State Administration of Taxation published a new proposal for Chinese VAT and Business Tax reforms plans for a 2012 to consolidate the overlapping between VAT and Business Tax. The pilot scheme is proposed to take place in Shanghai and the
See MorePhilippines: Thresholds for VAT exemptions increased
The threshold amounts for value added tax (VAT) on sales and leases of residential lots and houses has been increased to offset the rise in the consumer price index by the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). According to the regulations
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