Hong Kong, Barbados commence first round of tax treaty negotiations
The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department announced on 18 March 2025 that the first round of income tax treaty talks between Barbados and Hong Kong will take place from 24 to 28 March 2025. The agreement between Hong Kong and Barbados aims to
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Thailand: Cabinet approves carbon tax to reduce emissions
The Thai Cabinet gave its approval to a draft Ministerial Regulation, proposed by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) on 21 January 2025, which aims to introduce a carbon tax as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
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Bhutan, Singapore begin negotiations on first income tax treaty
Officials from Bhutan and Singapore met in Paro, Bhutan, from 10 to 14 March 2025 to begin negotiations on their first-ever income tax treaty. This treaty aims to address the issue of double taxation on the income of citizens in both
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India proposes temporary duty on steel imports
India has proposed a temporary 12% safeguard duty on certain steel products for 200 days, to protect its domestic industry from the surge in imports, on 19 March 2025. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) cited the influx of steel
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Bahrain, Hong Kong IPA enters into force
The Bahrain - Hong Kong Investment Protection Agreement (2024)Â will enter into force on 21 March 2025. Hong Kong and Bahrain signed an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) on 3 March 2024 to strengthen mutual investment protection, with a view
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Mongolia considers draft bill to lower VATÂ
Mongolia’s Deputy Speaker B. Purevdorj and MPs Ch. Lodoisambuu, A. Undraa, and G. Uyankhishig proposed a bill on 13 January 2025 to reduce the VAT rate to 5%. This bill was first submitted in 2019 but was returned as it was not reviewed. The
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Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam agree to tax treaty negotiations
Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam have agreed to sign a tax treaty and an investment protection agreement (IPA) during the official visit of the Chairman of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers to Vietnam from 6 to 7 March 2025. This announcement was made by the
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Vietnam initiates tax and investment treaty talks with Solomon Islands
Vietnam has shown interest in negotiating a tax treaty and an investment protection agreement (IPA) with the Solomon Islands on 7 March 2025. The proposed tax treaty would be the first between the two nations, designed to prevent double
See MoreMongolia announces VAT reforms for 2025
Mongolia’s government is drafting a new VAT Bill for 2025, which was submitted to the parliament. The new VAT bill proposes a simplified VAT system, higher registration thresholds, and faster input VAT recovery. The government has also launched
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Korea (Rep.): National Assembly approves ratification of tax treaty protocol with Kyrgyzstan
The National Assembly of South Korea (Rep.) has approved the ratification of the protocol to the 2012 income and capital tax treaty with Kyrgyzstan on 13 March 2025. The treaty was signed on 3 December 2024. The protocol will come into effect
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Indonesia: Tax cuts lead to high palm oil exports
Indonesia's palm oil exports surged 62.2% in February 2025, reaching 2.06 million metric tons, the highest in four months, fueled by a reduction in export taxes. Palm oil is a crucial component in food products, cosmetics, and household items. It
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Singapore: IRAS introduces GST InvoiceNow requirement for e-invoicing
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) released a new edition of its e-Tax Guide, Adopting GST InvoiceNow Requirement for GST-Registered Businesses (First Edition), on 7 March 2025. This e-Tax Guide explains the requirement for
See MoreMongolia joins multilateral agreement on exchange of financial account information (CRS-MCAA)
According to an OECD update, Mongolia signed the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (CRS-MCAA) on 6 March 2025. Mongolia plans to automatically exchange financial account information
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Australia: ATO updates country-by-country reporting rules from 2025
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) introduced changes to Country-by-Country reporting (CbCR) from 1 January 2025, which requires Version 4 of the local file/master file schema for reporting periods starting on or after 1 January
See MoreMongolia: MLI instrument goes into effect on January 2025, announces direct and indirect tax measures
Mongolia has ratified the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI) on 30 September 2024, which takes effect on 1 January 2025. As of February 2025, the Organisation for Economic
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EU, Korea (Rep.) finalise digital trade agreement
The EU and Korea (Rep)Â finalised a Digital Trade Agreement (DTA) to boost online trade and data flows on 10 March 2025. Announced at the 12th Trade Committee meeting, the agreement will now undergo legal review before final
See MoreAustralia, Latvia conclude second round of tax treaty talks
Australia and Latvia officials met from 11 to 13 February 2025 for the second round of negotiations for an income tax treaty. The agreement between the two nations seeks to eliminate double taxation on income and capital while combating tax
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Taiwan: MoF issues statement on US Double-Tax Relief Act approval
Taiwan's Ministry of Finance ( MoF) issued a statement on 12 March 2025, welcoming the passage of the US-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act by the US House of Representatives on 15 January 2025 (local time). The 119th US Congress, which
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