IMF report comments on economic and fiscal policy of Sri Lanka

15 June, 2016

On 14 June 2016 the IMF issued a report following the completion of consultations with Sri Lanka under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. GDP growth was 4.8% in 2015, generally unchanged from 2014. The economy is however facing an

See More

Vietnam increases penalty for tax fraud and evasion

15 June, 2016

The General Department of Taxation announced on 6 June 2016, an increase in the maximum penalty that may be imposed for tax fraud and evasion to VND 50 million. Further it announced an increase in the fines for lost or damaged tax invoices

See More

Australia: Electronic Local Files template finalized

12 June, 2016

Taxpayers that fail to adhere to their tax disclosure obligations like submitting local file will be exposed to administrative penalties of AUD 4,500. The Government proposes revised penalties amounting to AUD450, 000 from 1 July 2017 for failure to

See More

IMF publishes working paper on aid and fiscal policy

10 June, 2016

On 9 June 2016 the IMF published on its website a paper entitled “What does aid do to fiscal policy? New evidence”. As foreign aid is an important source of funding for some developing countries it is important to look at how aid is allocated

See More

Hong Kong: Amendment ordinance clarifies interest deduction rules and profits tax incentives

07 June, 2016

The Inland Revenue has gazetted the “(Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 2016” on 3 June, 2016. The Amendment Ordinance enables, under specified conditions, the deduction of interest payable on money borrowed by a corporation carrying on in Hong Kong

See More

Oman: Corporate tax rate to be increased for liquefied natural gas and mining companies

06 June, 2016

The State Council and the Shura Council on 26 May 2016 approved the increase of the corporate tax rate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies to 55%. The council also approved the increase of the corporate tax rate on petrochemical and mining

See More

Vanuatu: Abuse of duty free system

03 June, 2016

The Customs and Inland Revenue Department (DCIR) has published a statement on 26th May 2016 on its website announcing that there has been a number of abuses involving cruise ship passengers who purchase duty free goods to give in exchange for taxi

See More

Singapore and Cambodia sign Income Tax Treaty

29 May, 2016

Singapore and Cambodia have entered into a double taxation avoidance agreement, on 20 May 2016, to boost cross-border trade and investment between the two countries The Agreement clarifies the taxing rights of both countries on all forms of income

See More

China offers tax incentives for software and IC enterprises

28 May, 2016

On 4 May 2016, the State Administration of Taxation (SAT), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology jointly issued a notice (Cai Shui 2016 No. 49)

See More

Kazakhstan: Plans to consolidate Tax Code and Customs Code postponed until 2017

26 May, 2016

The Prime Minister has made a declaration on 24th May 2016 that the policies to consolidate the Tax Code and Customs Code into one single code will be postponed until

See More

Axiom Groupe conference on Transfer Pricing Excellence

24 May, 2016

The Axiom Groupe conference on Transfer Pricing Excellence was held in Barcelona on 19 and 20 May 2016. The conference included a workshop from the World Bank group. Some of the important issues coming out of the sessions are summarized

See More

Malaysia: Tax incentives regarding ventures capital industry

23 May, 2016

The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia has issued Public Ruling No. 2/2016 (PR 2/2016) on 9 May 2016 regarding tax incentives in relation to the venture capital industry in Malaysia. A venture capital company (VCC) that invests in a venture company is

See More

Sri Lanka: Proposals on corporate and individual tax rates in Budget 2016

22 May, 2016

Recently the Sri Lankan Inland Revenue Department (IRD) announced that the proposals made in Budget 2016 regarding corporate and individual tax rates. Main corporate income tax rate: As per the proposed revised Budget for 2016, a 28% tax rate will

See More

Pakistan: Foreign tax registration documents mandatory for non-resident companies

17 May, 2016

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has proposed to make it mandatory for non-resident companies with or without a permanent establishment (PE) in Pakistan to be registered for tax purposes and to provide their company and business details (including

See More

India: The Tribunal held that, no transfer pricing adjustment of AMP expenses

15 May, 2016

The Mumbai Bench of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal in the case of: L’Oreal India Pvt. Ltd. v. DCIT  , held that the tax officer must prove that the taxpayer’s real intention in incurring an advertising, marketing, and promotion (AMP)

See More

India: Proposes amendments to Finance Bill 2016

11 May, 2016

The Finance Bill, 2016 (the Bill) was introduced by the Finance Minister on 29 February 2016 in the Lok Sabha. On 5 May 2016, the amendments to the Bill have been proposed by notice of amendments. The Bill has proposes following  amendments: -The

See More

Australia: Tax incentives for early stage innovation investors

08 May, 2016

On 6 May 2016, the Tax Laws Amendment Bill 2016 received Royal Assent, enacting additional income tax incentives for new investments in Australian early-stage innovation companies (ESICs). From 1 July 2016, investment in a qualifying early stage

See More

ATO published a Practice Statement for TP penalties in transition period

08 May, 2016

The Australian Taxation Office published a Practice Statement Law Administration 2016/2 (PS LA 2016/2) to deal with the application of transfer pricing penalties during the transition period between 1 July 2004 and 28 June 2013. During that period,

See More