New Zealand, Australia continue tax treaty negotiations
New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has announced that Australia and New Zealand will begin a second round of talks in May 2025 to negotiate a new income tax agreement. The first round of discussions took place in May 2024. This
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Malaysia ratifies new income tax treaty with Russia
Malaysia has completed the ratification of the new 2024 Malaysia - Russia Income Tax Treaty (2024) through the publication of the Double Taxation Relief (The Government of The Russian Federation) Order 2025 in the Official Gazette PU (A) 112 of 28
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Philippines enforces mutual assistance convention
The OECD-Council of Europe Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, amended by the 2010 protocol, took effect in the Philippines on 1 May 2025. The Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters
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Philippines: DOF refutes new tax claims, highlights strong fiscal health
The Philippines Department of Finance (DOF) categorically refuted reports alleging the imposition of new taxes and stressed that there is no need for additional revenue measures at this time, given the government’s robust fiscal position. This
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Hong Kong approves Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions) Bill 2025
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council has passed the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (Tax Concessions) Bill 2025, according to an announcement by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on 30 April 2025. The bill was introduced as part of the government’s
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Pakistan expands e-invoicing to all sales tax registrants
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of Pakistan has formally extended the electronic invoicing requirement to all sales tax-registered persons through Notification SRO 709(I)/2025 issued on 22 April 2025. This move follows an earlier amendment
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China reportedly exempts select US imports from tariffs, discretely communicates policy to companies
China reportedly has drafted a list of US imports that is exempted from its 125% tariffs. It’s unclear how many, or which, products are on the list because authorities have not publicly shared this information. The sources state that the
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China exempts tariffs on US ethane imports
China has exempted the 125% tariff on US ethane imports imposed earlier this month, alleviating pressure on Chinese companies that rely on ethane imported from the US for petrochemical production, reports Reuters . China has increased tariffs on
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New Zealand, Iceland continue tax treaty talks
New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade announced that Iceland and New Zealand have concluded a second round of negotiations for an income tax treaty in February 2025. This agreement seeks to eliminate double taxation, combat tax
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Japan: Upper House approves new income tax treaty with Ukraine
Japan's upper house of parliament (House of Councillors) approved the new income tax treaty with Ukraine on 23 April 2025. The new treaty updates tax rules on business profits and investment income, introduces measures to prevent treaty abuse,
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Hong Kong, Bahrain tax treaty enters into force
Hong Kong's Comprehensive Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement (CDTA) with Bahrain, signed in March last year, came into force on 4 March 2025, after completion of relevant ratification procedures. The CDTA will be applicable to Hong Kong tax
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Malaysia postpones new sales and service tax amid tariff concerns
Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance announced that its planned expansion of the sales and service tax, initially planned for implementation on 1 May 2025 as outlined in Budget 2025, will be postponed. The ministry said the sales and service tax will
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US: Customs and Border Protection imposes new tariffs on Chinese imports
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued an amended notice on 24 April 2025 announcing additional duties on products from China and Hong Kong following President Donald Trump's Executive Orders 14256, 14259, and 14266. The notice was
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Kyrgyzstan: Parliament approves amending protocol to the tax treaty with Korea (Rep.)
The parliament of Kyrgyzstan approved the law for the ratification of the amending protocol to the 2012 income and capital tax treaty with Korea (Rep.) on 23 April 2025. Earlier, the National Assembly of Korea (Rep.) approved the ratification of
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Japan: Upper House approves new income tax treaty with Turkmenistan
Japan's upper house of parliament (House of Councilors) approved the new income tax treaty with Turkmenistan on 23 April 2025. Japan and Turkmenistan signed the tax treaty “Convention between Japan and Turkmenistan for the Elimination of Double
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Vietnam, Ethiopia to negotiate first tax treaty
Representatives from Ethiopia and Vietnam met on 15 April 2025 to explore opportunities for strengthening bilateral relations. This announcement was made by the Vietnam Government News portal on 16 April 2025. Vietnam and Ethiopia have agreed
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Singapore revises guidelines on withholding tax for specific payments
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has released revised guidance on payments liable to withholding tax on 25 April 2025. The guidance outlines the types of payments subject to withholding tax when made to non-resident companies:
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China reportedly exempts select US imports from tariffs
China has reportedly exempted certain US imports from its 125% tariffs and is urging companies to identify essential goods that should be exempt from tariffs. However, they are yet to make any public statements regarding the matter. The Trump
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