New Zealand – Supports BEPS Action Plan
The tax department of New Zealand released a report that endorses measures outlined by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) action plan to deal with the taxation of large multinational corporations and the problems of
See MoreNew Zealand – Increase in the Family Tax Credit
The New Zealand Inland Revenue has announced that the minimum family tax credit will be increased starting from 1 April 2014. Low income families who work the minimum number of hours and who are not receiving a benefit will have an after-tax income
See MoreJapan: tax reform outline announced
The Japanese government has officially decided to increase the rate of consumption tax from the current 5% to 8% with effect from 1 April 2014. It has also delivered a five-trillion yen (US$50B) economic stimulus policy that aims to alleviate
See MoreIndia : Loan simplification services and fees of foreign branches
In a recent decision, the Mumbai Bench of the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal found that: Services provided by a taxpayer bank were “crucial services” and the services were not a “mere facilitation” for concluding or signing of the loan
See MoreChina: VAT reforms for 2014 and 2015
Chinese VAT reforms went national in August 2013 in respect of transport and broadcast services. The first VAT reform pilot started in 2012 in Shanghai and was then rolled out to 11 other provinces. Some more services will become subject to VAT and
See MoreChina: Enterprise income tax treatment from technology transfers
The State Administration of Taxation (SAT) of China issued a bulletin which states that revenues from technical advice, technical services and technical training, in relation to technology transfers will be included under the enterprise income tax
See MoreChina: Circular providing tax breaks for eligible enterprises for Government-led shanty town renovations
The Finance Ministry of China on 28 October 2013 released a circular that announced tax breaks for eligible enterprises that are involved in government-led shanty town renovations. This is part of an effort to encourage participation in the
See MoreAustralia: GST fraud in gold industry is in target
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) on 30 October 2013 announced that it is investigating companies within the gold bullion sector for a total of AU$65 million ($61.5 million) of alleged goods and services tax (GST) fraud. The investigation is a part
See MoreAustralia: Fuel tax credits and carbon pricing
The new Coalition Government of Australia discharged draft enactment regarding to the proposed nullification of the carbon pricing mechanism. This holds some key perspectives concerning fuel tax credit, customs duty and excise. Submissions are
See MoreAmendment to the Bahrain-China double tax treaty
Bahrain and China have recently amended their 2002 double tax treaty (DTT) by a protocol signed on 16 September 2013. The protocol will enter into force on the 30th day after the exchange of ratification and will apply to income derived during the
See MoreTreaty between Serbia and Vietnam enters into force
The Serbia – Vietnam Income Tax Treaty (2013) entered into force on 18 October 2013,. The treaty generally applies from 1 January 2014. Under the treaty the definition of a permanent establishment generally follows the provisions of the UN Model
See MoreKorea (Rep.) – Poland: protocol treaty signed
Korea (Rep.) and Poland signed a protocol treaty to the Korea (Rep.) on 22 October 2013. Among other changes the protocol updates Article 9 of the original treaty in respect of associated enterprises and adds a new article to the treaty relating
See MoreNew Zealand Tax Department Backs OECD BEPS Plan
New Zealand's Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has released a report that strongly endorses the measures drawn up by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) for tackling base erosion and profit shifting. The OECD action plan
See MoreMalaysian Budget for 2014
Malaysia’s budget for 2014 proposes a new goods and services tax (GST) to replace the existing sales tax and service tax regimes. The GST would be effective from 1 April 2015. It would be imposed at a rate of 6% (with some goods and services
See MoreKorean Budget Proposal for 2014
The Ministry of Strategy and Finance (MOSF) of Korea (Rep.) released the Budget 2014 proposal on 27 September 2013. The tax measures in the budget proposal include in the local government consumption taxes to 8% in 2014 and 11% from 2015. According
See MoreKenya-Turkey DTA sign in 2014
The Turkish and Kenyan governments are ready to sign an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation in 2014 and when a high level Kenyan government representative visits Turkey following year then it will be signed. Both nations signed an contract
See MoreIndia: Vodafone case regarding transfer pricing
The Bombay high court directed the income-tax department to stop the proceedings of its dispute resolution panel (DRP) against the Indian subsidiaries of Vodafone Group Plc and Royal Dutch Shell plc in an alleged transfer pricing case till the court
See MoreExchange of information agreement between Finland and Niue signed
According to media reports, Niue has recently signed tax information exchange agreements with a number of countries, including New Zealand and some Nordic countries. On 16 October 2013, Niue signed exchange of information agreements relating to tax
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