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 tariffsÂ
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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EU, US remain far from reaching a tariff agreement
The EU Economic Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, stated on Friday, 25 April 2025, that the United States and the European Union still have work to do to reach a deal that avoids tariffs on each other's goods. The US has imposed 25% tariffs on EU
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Philippines amends VAT rules for digital services
The Philippines' Department of Finance has announced an amendment to the VAT requirements for non-resident digital services providers (DSPs) operating in the Philippines. Starting 1 June 2025, non-resident digital service providers (DSPs) must
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Thailand, Bhutan sign free trade agreement
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand and Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan witnessed the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between their countries. The ceremony took place at the Thai Khu Fah Building, Government
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Japan: Upper House of Parliament approves new income tax treaty with Armenia
Japan’s Upper House of Parliament (House of Councilors-Diet) approved the new income tax treaty with Armenia on 23 April 2025. This new agreement replaced the 1986 tax treaty between Japan and the former Soviet Union. It aims to eliminate
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Turkey approves trade and economic cooperation agreement with Maldives
The President of Türkiye approved the trade and economic cooperation agreement with the Maldives on 22 April 2025,, which was signed on 27 November 2023 in Ankara. The approval was made through Decision No. 9755, published in Official Gazette No.
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India expands scope of luxury products subject to tax collection at source
India’s Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has issued Notifications No. 35/2025 and 36/2025, on 22 April 2025, expanding the scope of the 1% Tax Collected at Source (TCS) on high-value luxury goods. The updated scope now includes
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Kazakhstan considers new tax code amendments, proposes sector-specific rates and VAT increase
Kazakhstan’s lower chamber of parliament is currently examining provisions of the new draft Tax Code, which received approval in its first reading on 9 April 2025. These provisions are based on the draft originally issued by the Ministry of
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On 14 April 2025, Vietnam’s Ambassador to Greece, Pham Thi Thu Huong, announced in an interview that Vietnam and Greece are actively negotiating their first bilateral income tax treaty. Negotiations are ongoing for agreements on maritime
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Taiwan raises VAT registration threshold for non-resident e-service providers
Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance issued Decree No. 11404515421 amending the VAT regulations for non-resident electronic service (e-service) providers on 7 April 2025. A key revision under the decree is the adjustment of the VAT registration threshold
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Hong Kong: Tax authority introduces eTAX portals for businesses, tax representatives, individuals
The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department has introduced new portals under eTAX, including a pre-launch of the Business Tax Portal (BTP), Tax Representative Portal (TRP) and Individual Tax Portal (ITP) on 22 April 2025. Taxpayers can now register
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Tajikistan approves ratification of amended tax treaty with Kuwait
Tajikistan's lower house of the Supreme Assembly approved the law for the ratification of the income and capital tax treaty with Kuwait on 16 April 2025. Earlier, Tajikistan and Kuwait signed an amending protocol to revise the Kuwait-Tajikistan
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India to impose safeguard duty on steel to curb imports from China, South Korea, Japan
India plans to introduce a temporary 12% safeguard duty on certain steel imports to address a rise in low-cost shipments; mainly from China, South Korea, and Japan; according to a government source. The measure, recommended by the Directorate
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US: VP Vance lands in India to negotiate trade deal amid Trump’s tariff tensions
US Vice President JD Vance arrived in New Delhi, India, on Monday, 21 April 2025, for a four-day visit. During the visit, Vance met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two leaders planned to build on the framework for stronger
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Korea (Rep.) extends fuel tax cuts until June, plans smaller reductions from May
South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance announced on 22 April 2025 that it will extend the fuel tax cut for an additional two months, with revised discount rates. The tax discount on gasoline will be reduced from 15% to 10%, while
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