EU: European Council adopts UN convention on transparency for dispute settlement
The decision will increase public access to documents and hearings and include civil society in investor-state disputes under investment treaties. The Council of the European Union adopted a decision on the conclusion of the United Nations
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Congo, France to begin negotiations for income tax treaty
The Democratic Republic Congo and France are set to hold their first round of negotiations in Paris in early 2025. The Democratic Republic of Congo and France have agreed to begin negotiations for their first income tax treaty, according to a
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EU: Council adopts VAT and tax recovery stance in UK trade deal
The Decision replaces Annex I to Decision 4/2023, which outlines standard forms for sharing information and data, exchanging information by using the Common Communication Network, and arranging contact between central liaison offices and liaison
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Netherlands: Tax Administration clarifies domestic withholding exemption may apply to outbound dividends despite treaty ineligibility
The Tax Administration has clarified its position on whether dividends can qualify for a withholding tax exemption under Article 4(2) of the Dividend Withholding Tax Act if they don’t qualify for treaty benefits. The Dutch Tax Administration
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Poland: MoF lowers late payment interest rates
Ministry of Finance updated interest rates for tax arrears and late payments on 16 May 2025. Poland’s Ministry of Finance released the updated interest rates for tax arrears and late payments on 16 May 2025. The standard rate will decrease
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Italy: Council of Ministers approve amending protocols on frontier workers under tax treaty with Switzerland
Italy approved a draft law on 19 May 2025 to ratify amendments to agreements from 2024, modified by the 1978 and 2015 protocols. Italy’s Council of Ministers has approved a draft law on 19 May 2025, which ratifies the amending protocol
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Ethiopia, Hungary conclude second round of tax treaty negotiations
Representatives from Ethiopia and Hungary met in Addis Ababa for a second round of negotiations for a DTA. Ethiopia and Hungary have concluded a second round of negotiations for the avoidance of double taxation in Addis Ababa, following
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France consults VAT treatment of art, antiques
France has launched a public consultation on new VAT rules for art, antiques and collectibles ahead of a reduced 5.5% rate which is set to take effect on 1 January 2025. France’s tax authorities have launched a public consultation on new VAT
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France updates VAT guidelines for composite supplies
France updates VAT rules to clarify taxation of mixed goods and services. The French Tax Authorities issued new administrative guidelines regarding the VAT treatment of composite supplies in transactions involving a mix of goods and services on
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Italy clarifies how VAT applies to secondment under legislative changes
Italy’s tax authority clarified that from 1 January 2025, staff secondment reimbursements covering only salary and related costs will be subject to VAT under new or renewed agreements. Italy’s tax authorities issued Circular No. 5/E on 16 May
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Poland: Council of Ministers approve bill to ease group taxation, transfer pricing rules
Poland's Council of Ministers approved a proposal to simplify group taxation and transfer pricing regulations on 21 May 2025. Poland’s Council of Ministers approved a proposal on 21 May 2025 to streamline the country’s group taxation and
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Czech Republic: Ministry of Finance publishes draft guidance on floor area calculation for VAT
Ministry of Finance issued a draft decree on calculating floor area for VAT, preparing for real estate VAT changes under the 2024 consolidation package, which goes into effect on 1 July 2025. The Czech Republic’s Ministry of Finance released a
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EU to introduce flat tax on low-value imports from China
According to a Financial Times report on 20 May 2025, the EU is considering imposing a flat fee on small packages entering the bloc, mainly from China. The Financial Times reported that the European Commission shared a draft proposal for a
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Sweden: Ministry of Finance proposes reduced energy tax on electricity from 2026
Sweden’s Ministry of Finance has proposed lowering the energy tax on electricity to öre 41.1 per kilowatt hour on 19 May 2025. The draft is currently under consideration. If approved, the change would take effect on 1 January 2026. The
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Iran: Guardian Council approves tax treaty with Finland
Iran’s Guardian Council has approved the income tax treaty with Finland on 22 April 2025, after the parliament approved the agreement on 8 April 2025. Signed on 7 February 2022, this is the first treaty between the two countries and aims to
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Netherlands: Government submits Box 3 tax reform bill to House of Representatives
The Netherlands Ministry of Finance has published a letter to the House of Representatives regarding the submission of a draft bill to reform Box 3 income taxation, which includes income from savings and investments, on 16 May 2025. The reform
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Sweden: Ministry of Finance announces tax proposals for Autumn Budget 2026, includes reduced corporate tax
Sweden's Ministry of Finance announced various tax proposals for the 2026 Autumn Budget on 19 May 2025. It includes reduced corporate tax, energy tax on electricity, special income tax for non-residents, amongst others. Reduced corporate
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Luxembourg: Government Council approves amending protocol to tax treaty with Vietnam
Luxembourg's Government Council approved the ratification of the amending protocol to the 1996 tax treaty with Vietnam on 15 May 2025. The protocol was signed to update the DTA according to the latest OECD standards. Signed on 4 May 2023, it
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