Korea – Free trade agreement signed with Australia
A free trade agreement (FTA) was signed on 8 April 2014 by representatives of the governments of South Korea and Australia. The agreement is designed to boost trade between the two countries and strengthen economic ties
See MoreJapan and US Hold Talks On TPP
Talks were held between Japan and the US on 9 and 10 April 2014 to consider the remaining issues relating to the terms of the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. The main problems between the US and Japan concern Japan’s
See MoreIndia: Hyderabad Tribunal rules on transfer pricing aspects of corporate guarantee
The Hyderabad Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has issued a ruling that concerns certain transfer pricing issues from a corporate guarantee issued to a bank by associated enterprises of a borrower. The case is Four Soft Pvt Lrd. The case
See MoreHong Kong – Urged To Retain Prudent Fiscal Policies
The IMF has expressed support for the work of Hong Kong’s Working Group on Long-Term Fiscal Planning, which is looking at the fiscal strategy in the long term. The Group is investigating the question of balancing government revenues and spending
See MoreChina ‘Open-Minded’ on Trans-Pacific Partnership
The Chinese Premier has declared that China remains open towards the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations that are currently being conducted under the leadership of the US, although there had been suggestions previously that China
See MoreChina: Shanghai and Hong Kong Agree Financial Services Co-operation
The fourth Hong Kong-Shanghai Financial Co-operation Working Meeting brought together representatives of governments, stock exchanges and financial regulators to discuss issues surrounding financial services and products. Representatives from
See MoreVietnam – VAT export and invoice changes
Some changes have been made to Vietnam’s VAT regime in respect of VAT invoices and the VAT on exports. The aim of the changes is to require adequate documentation to be maintained in respect of the transaction, including proof of export. There
See MoreNew Zealand’s opposition party welcomes the launch of FTA talks with the EU
In New Zealand an opposition party has welcomed the launch of free trade talks with the EU but has called on the Government to address tax barriers to domestic economic activity. Reacting to NZ-EU FTA negotiations, the leader of the opposition ACT
See MoreMalaysia – Steep Penalties in GST Bill
Malaysia is to introduce a new Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act to replace a draft Act originally put forward in 2009. The new Act will contain harsh penalties for taxpayers who fail to comply with its provisions. The GST rates and structure are not
See MoreHong Kong – 2013-14 Tax Returns Issued
On April 1 2014 the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department issued the 2013/14 tax returns in respect of profits tax, property tax and tax reporting by employers. In the Budget for this year Hong Kong has announced a one-off reduction of 75% on profits
See MoreHong Kong signs tax information exchange agreement with the US
Hong Kong signed a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with the US on 25 March 2014. This agreement will strengthen the ability of the two jurisdictions to take action in respect of the enforcement of their taxes. Tax information exchange
See MoreGermany and China sign a DTA and Protocol
Germany and China signed a new double tax agreement (DTA) and Protocol on March 28 2014. The agreement generally follows the provisions of the OECD Model but the definition of a permanent establishment includes the provision of services in the other
See MoreChina: Additional tax cuts for small business
China’s State Council meeting on April 2, 2014 decided on a number of changes including more tax cuts for micro and small-sized enterprises. These enterprises are defined as businesses with an annual taxable income under RMB 60,000 (USD 9,650).
See MoreChina and EU Agree To Work towards FTA
In a meeting between EU leaders and China’s President both sides agreed that they are committed to transparent trade and investment rules. They investigated ways to enhance trade and investment to benefit their economies. When the appropriate
See MoreNew Zealand: New rules for determining tax residence
In New Zealand the Inland Revenue Department has issued an “interpretation statement” on tax residence. This is an update to previous guidance from 1989. The new statement takes effect from 1 April 2014 and includes residence criteria for
See MoreNew Zealand and EU consider Free Trade Agreement
New Zealand and the European Union are considering possibilities for updating their trade and economic relations. As part of this process they are looking at the possibility of concluding a free trade agreement. The leaders of the EU met with New
See MoreJapan: 2014 tax changes
Some changes to Japan’s tax law announced on 1 October 2013 were passed on 20 March 2014. The “attributed income principle” in respect of the profits of permanent establishment, as set out in the authorized OECD approach, will be adopted. The
See MoreIndia shows decline in transfer pricing adjustments
The income tax department has estimated that the number of transfer pricing adjustments in 2014 so far has fallen by 14 percent by comparison to the previous year. This may indicate that taxpayers in India are becoming more aware of the transfer
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