TIEA between Australia and Switzerland enters into force
The Tax Information Exchange Agreement between Australia and Switzerland was concluded through an exchange of notes entered into force on 1 January 2017. Furthermore, this agreement was signed on 14 December 2016 by Australia and on 8 December 2016
See MoreAustralia releases guidance on related-party marketing hubs
On 16 January 2017, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) issued a Practical Compliance Guideline which sets out the ATO's compliance approach to transfer pricing issues related to the location and relocation of certain business activities and
See MoreAustralia releases Q&A of CbC reporting
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released a guidance in the form of questions and answers (Q&As) in respect of compliance with country-by-country (CbC) reporting requirements. The guidance reflects the transitional administrative practice of
See MoreThe 16th Round of RCEP Negotiations Held in Tangerang
On December 1-10, the 16th Round of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Negotiation was held in Tangerang, Indonesia. Attending were 10 countries of ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India and the Secretariat
See MoreAustralia and New Zealand sign revised Social Security Agreement
On 8 December 2016, Australia and New Zealand signed a revision to the Social Security Agreement by which pensioners who segregates their lives between Australia and New Zealand will face changes from July 2017. The revised agreement provides for
See MoreAustralia: Exposure Draft issues for imposing GST on low value imports
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) treatment for importing of low value goods (LVG) valued at less than AU$1,000 has led to various reviews over many years but the Government of Australia is now preparing to legislate the “destination principle”.
See MoreDTA between Australia and Germany entered into force
The Income Tax Treaty (2015) between Australia and Germany has been entered into force on 7 December 2016. The treaty generally applies in Germany from 1 January 2017 and in Australia from the following dates: For withholding tax on income that is
See MoreAustralian government asking for comment on diverted profits tax legislation
In the 2016-17 Budget, the Australian Government announced that it would implement a Diverted Profits Tax (DPT) to impose a 40% penalty tax on profits that have been artificially diverted from Australia by multinationals. This exposure draft Bill
See MoreAustralia: Draft taxation ruling on timing for PE
On 12 October 2016, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) released for comment Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2016/D2 that provides guidance on applying the participation test in Subdivision 768-A when working out whether an equity distribution received by
See MoreAustralia: Electronic Local Files template finalized
Taxpayers that fail to adhere to their tax disclosure obligations like submitting local file will be exposed to administrative penalties of AUD 4,500. The Government proposes revised penalties amounting to AUD450, 000 from 1 July 2017 for failure to
See MoreAustralia: Tax incentives for early stage innovation investors
On 6 May 2016, the Tax Laws Amendment Bill 2016 received Royal Assent, enacting additional income tax incentives for new investments in Australian early-stage innovation companies (ESICs). From 1 July 2016, investment in a qualifying early stage
See MoreATO published a Practice Statement for TP penalties in transition period
The Australian Taxation Office published a Practice Statement Law Administration 2016/2 (PS LA 2016/2) to deal with the application of transfer pricing penalties during the transition period between 1 July 2004 and 28 June 2013. During that period,
See MoreAustralia: Amended the Transfer Pricing Rules as per 2015 OECD Transfer Pricing Recommendations
Australia's transfer pricing legislation currently specifies that it be interpreted to achieve consistency with the OECD transfer pricing guidelines as last updated in 2010. The OECD's final report on Action Items 8-10 of the G20/OECD BEPS Action
See MoreAustralia: Reducing the corporate income tax rate
On 3 May 2016, the government of Australia announced in the 2016–17 Budget that it will reduce the corporate tax rate progressively from 30 per cent to 25 per cent. Currently, there is a small business corporate tax rate which is less than the
See MoreIMF Technical Note on introducing a GAAR
On 31 January 2016 the IMF issued a technical note on ensuring that a general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR) achieves its purpose. Many countries have either introduced a GAAR or are considering its introduction, which the objective of combating
See MoreAustralia: Multinational anti tax avoidance bill receives Royal Assent
On 11 December 2015, Further to its passing by Parliament on 3 December 2015 the Tax Laws Amendment (Combating Multinational Tax Avoidance) Bill 2015 received Royal Assent. The Bill implements a new anti avoidance rule designed to counter the
See MoreAustralian Senate passes Government’s multinational anti tax avoidance measures
The Turnbull Government has secured the passage of the Tax Laws Amendment (Combating Multinational Tax Avoidance) Bill, a critical piece of legislation, which will ensure major international companies operating in Australia but booking profits
See MoreThe Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiation completed
On October 4, 2015, Ministers of the 12 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries – Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam – announced conclusion of their
See More