India defends trade negotiations as US tariffs loom
India’s Foreign Minister says trade talks with the US are continuing, but New Delhi will defend key “redlines” as additional tariffs of up to 50%. India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated on 23 August 2025 that trade
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Pakistan issues income tax return notifications for 2025
FBR issues electronic income tax return forms for the 2025 tax year with filing deadlines set for individuals and companies. Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on 18 August 2025 issued Notification (Income Tax) S.R.O. 1561(I)/2025 and
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Australia: ATO notifies large corporate taxpayers to review tax transparency data before October 2025 report
This month, companies will receive a notification with the tax information proposed for publication. The communication will also outline steps for correcting any errors prior to publication, including the deadline for responses. The Australian
See MoreBarbados seeks tax and investment deals with India
Barbados plans its first income tax treaty and investment protection agreement with India. Barbados has expressed its interest in negotiating an income tax treaty and an investment protection agreement (IPA) with India. The announcement came
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Singapore: IRAS revises GST filing guidance on error corrections and extension requests
IRAS updates GST filing guidance, outlining error corrections, refund claims, and deadlines for extensions. Singapore’s tax authority (IRAS) released revised instructions regarding the correction of errors in Goods and Services Tax (GST)
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Pakistan: FBR introduces withholding tax on domestic digital sales
The FBR introduced a 1–2% withholding tax on domestic digital sales via online marketplaces. Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued Notification (Sales Tax) S.R.O. 1429(I)/2025 on 4 August 2025, establishing a new Chapter XIV-E in
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China: Finance Ministry consults on draft VAT law regulations
The new draft VAT law aligns with existing VAT policies while introducing key adjustments, organised into six chapters covering provisions, rates, payable taxes, incentives, administration, and supplementary rules. China's Ministry of Finance has
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Taiwan: MoF clarifies how to handle remaining labour retirement fund balances
The Ministry of Finance says leftover Labour Retirement Reserve funds must be reported as income when settled. Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) has stated on 18 August 2025 that when a company is dissolved or has no employees eligible for
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New Zealand: RBNZ cuts official cash rate to lowest level in three years
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand trimmed its official cash rate by 25 bps on 20 August 2025, signalling possible further cuts as economic growth stalls. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) cut its official cash rate (OCR) by 25 basis points to
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Australia: ATO issues final compliance guideline on restructures and updated thin capitalisation rules
This guideline outlines ATO’s practical compliance approach for restructures undertaken in response to the new thin capitalisation and debt deduction creation rules (DDCR). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has published the final
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Indonesia: Central Bank cuts interest rate to 5.00%
This marks the fifth rate cut since September 2022, bringing rates down by a total of 125 basis points to their lowest level since late 2022. Indonesia’s central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI), announced it has cut its benchmark interest rate by 25
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Taiwan, Singapore negotiate to update tax treaty
Taiwan and Singapore first signed an income tax treaty in 1981. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced, on 19 August 2025, that negotiations to update the 1982 tax treaty with Singapore are ongoing. Although specific updates
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Hong Kong: IRD revises eligible debt instruments list for profits tax relief
The QDIs listed are mainly composed of debt instruments issued by governments and financial institutions within the Asia-Pacific region, along with a limited number from other issuers. The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has released
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India introduces Pillar Two disclosure requirements under national accounting standard
India has amended Ind AS 12 to align with International Accounting Standard 12 and introduce new disclosure requirements for the OECD’s Pillar Two global minimum tax. India’s Ministry of Corporate Affairs has issued the Companies (Indian
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Australia: ATO clarifies what private rulings can cover
A private ruling is binding advice explaining how a tax law applies to a specific situation or scheme. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has released updated guidance on 17 August 2025, regarding the scope of private rulings. A private
See MoreNew Zealand to replace petrol tax with distance-based road charges
New Zealand will shift from petrol taxes to electronic road user charges for all vehicles, starting a staged overhaul of its road funding system. New Zealand’s government announced plans, on 6 August 2025, to overhaul its road funding system,
See MoreIndia to cut GST on small cars, health and life insurance premiums
The government proposed cutting GST on small cars from 28% to 18% and reducing GST on health and life insurance premiums to as low as 5% or zero. India’s government has proposed reducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on small cars from 28%
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Japan, UAE hold fourth round of CEPA negotiations
The fourth round of CEPA negotiations between Japan and the UAE from 4–8 August 2025, focused on trade, competition, and intellectual property. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan reported on 8 August 2025 that the fourth round of
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