Taiwan increases business tax rate for financial services
Taiwan has amended the laws on income tax, VAT and business tax with an effective date of 1 January 2015 in the case of the income tax changes. The measures include an increase of the business tax rate on core business revenue in banking and
See MoreSwitzerland – Upper House passes China FTA
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Switzerland and China has been adopted by the Swiss Council of States. The agreement contains provisions in respect of trade in goods and services, competition, investment promotion, intellectual property
See MoreSouth Korea and US Agree on Text Of FATCA Agreement
South Korea has announced that it has agreed to the regular exchange of information with the US from next year to assist the implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The FATCA legislation in the US aims to ensure that the US
See MoreSingapore- issues e-Tax Guide on GST Advance Ruling System
An updated e-Tax Guide has been published by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to give guidance on aspects of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) advance ruling system and on the relevant application procedures in connection with the
See MoreSingapore Arranges First Wage Credit Payments
Singapore is paying out the first tranche of the payments under the Wage Credit Scheme (WCS) by 31 March 2014. Around 75 percent of the payments are due to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The payments are intended to help new businesses and low
See MoreRevision to treaty between India and Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s Ministry of Finance has been authorized to begin negotiations for a double tax treaty with India. After it has been signed and has entered into force the new treaty will replace the current treaty signed in
See MoreNew Zealand and China set new trade goals
New Zealand and China have agreed to update their free trade agreement with the objective of increasing mutual trade to reach a value of USD 30 billion by the year 2020. This follows two meetings in the past year between the New Zealand Prime
See MoreIsrael: High Court of Justice rejects petition to deny “foreign resident” VAT status from multinational internet companies
The High Court in Israel has rejected a petition asking the Court to order the Finance Minister and tax authorities to impose VAT on cross border services delivered electronically and on products of foreign companies sold in Israel. The Court
See MoreIndonesian tax office signs an agreement on tax revenues and data sharing
A recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Jakarta city administration and the tax directorate general covers the issue of data swaps and ways to increase tax revenues. The two authorities have reached an agreement on the exchange of
See MoreIndia: Delhi Tribunal rules on transfer pricing aspects of intra group financing transactions
In India many transfer pricing cases are heard in the Courts. These decisions can provide clarification of the operation of the transfer pricing rules in India and can therefore give potential investors more certainty about the transfer pricing
See MoreEuropean law used in Turkish transfer pricing case
Turkey has taken a step towards improving the rights of taxpayers by implementing a decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in a transfer pricing ruling. The transfer pricing case involved allegations by the tax administration that a
See MoreChinese SAT announces new plans for the future
In a video conference held by the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) on 18 March 2014 the current work on international taxation and future plans were outlined. China has improved the legal framework within which its international tax work takes
See MoreChina relaxes company registration procedure
With effect from 1 March 2014 China’s company law has been updated with the aim of streamlining the registration procedures and making the minimum capital requirements less stringent. China’s Company Law gives considerable discretion to
See MoreAustralia considers GST rise
The rate of GST in Australia is currently 10%, however the possibility of raising the rate has been under consideration for some time. An increase in the GST rate could be used to fund reductions in tax on labor and in corporation tax, helping to
See MoreTreaty between Indonesia and Latvia under negotiation
Indonesia and Latvia have announced that they intend to intensify negotiations for a double taxation agreement. No details of the likely content of the agreement are currently
See MoreDTA between China and Ecuador enters into force
The double tax agreement (DTA) between China and Ecuador which was signed in 2013 entered into force on 6 March 2014 and will apply as from 1 January 2015. When it is in effect, the agreement will establish maximum withholding tax rates on
See MorePhilippines Legislates To Cut Back Income Tax Relief
In the Philippines there is some concern in the Department of Finance (DOF) that tax relief is being granted to applicants without sufficient consideration of their entitlement. The Department is therefore keen for legislation to be passed to
See MoreSouth Korea to Rein In Tax Relief to Fund Welfare Reform
Under the Framework Plan for Tax Expenditures for the year 2014 South Korea is committed to amending the system of tax relief. This could result in the abolition of some tax incentives and taxpayers need to keep a close eye on developments as they
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