Luxembourg: Standard VAT rate will increase from 2015
The Luxembourg Prime Minister announced on 10 April 2013 that, the standard VAT rate will increase as from 2015, but the new rate has not yet been announced. The standard VAT rate is presently 15percent and is the lowest in the EU. The Luxembourg
See MoreUK: report on the role of large accountancy firms in tax avoidance
The UK’s Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a report entitled “Tax avoidance: the role of large accountancy firms” criticizing the close relationship between accountancy firms and the tax authorities. The practice of seconding
See MoreSweden: tax proposals in 2013 spring budget
The government of Sweden submitted to Parliament a budget bill on 15 April 2013 that proposes domestic tax changes. The measures include improving incentives to work, strengthening the income tax credit further and increasing the lower threshold for
See MoreBelgium: New tax measures for 2013
Belgium’s Council of Ministers recently reached agreement on new tax measures for 2013. The Belgian government has already confirmed plans to increase the minimum wage and to reduce employer contributions from April 1. These measures are intended
See MoreTreaty between Luxembourg and Isle of Man signed
Luxembourg has signed a comprehensive Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with the Isle of Man, as part of an on-going programme of signing DTAs and Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs). The signing took place in London on 8 April 2013. TIEAs are
See MoreUK: the European Commission opens an investigation into the tax relief for video games
The UK is introducing tax relief for the animation, high end TV and video games industry from 1 April 2013. The relief would amount to a 25% tax reduction based on 80% of the production budget of a qualifying animation or video game relating to
See MoreUK challenges financial transactions tax
The UK has launched a legal challenge in the European Court of Justice to the planned financial transactions tax. This tax is to be introduced by eleven European countries under the EU provisions for enhanced cooperation and is planned to go into
See MoreEU: Updated study on the consequences of accession of Croatia to the EU for customs legislation
The European Commission on 2 April 2013 published an updated study dealing with the consequences of the accession of Croatia to the European Union (EU) for customs legislation. At the moment of Croatia’s accession to the EU which is expected to
See MoreUK: HMRC issues revised GAAR guidance
HMRC’s latest guidance on the application of the General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) was approved by the GAAR Advisory Panel on 15 April 2013. This guidance summarizes what the GAAR is intended to achieve and how it operates to arrive at this
See MoreTreaty between Cyprus and Finland enters into force
On 28 April 2013, the double tax agreement that was signed on 15 October 2012 between Cyprus and Finland will enter into force. The treaty generally follows the provisions of the OECD Model. Under the treaty the maximum withholding tax rate on
See MoreEU: Advocate General decides in favour of HMRC
The Advocate General has issued an opinion in a case referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) by the Danish High Court. The point at issue is whether the scope of Article 1(1) Regulation (EC) No 44/2001 includes an action brought by a State
See MoreItaly: Report on international standard rulings
The tax authorities in Italy have issued a second International Standard Ruling Report. This provides statistics on the tax ruling system. Any enterprise that has international activities may apply for the process known as an international tax
See MoreGreece: Extension of Deadline for submission of certain tax returns
The deadline for submission of the tax returns for taxpayers falling into the scope of article 4 of paragraph 2 of the Income Tax Code has been extended until 31 May 2013, by the Ministry of Finance and all the tax returns are to be submitted solely
See MoreIreland: Finance Act 2013
The Irish Finance Bill 2013, which was published on 13 February 2013, was enacted on 27 March 2013 as the Finance Act 2013. Modifications have been made to the tax regime for start-up companies. These companies currently are not required to pay
See MoreAndorra signs a double tax treaty with France
A double tax treaty between France and Andorra was signed on 2 April 2013. No further details of the agreement are currently available. Andorra was removed from the OECD list of uncooperative list of tax havens in 2009, and in that year signed
See MoreFinland: Government’s 3-Year Tax Plan
The Finnish government has formed a new 3-year spending plan to respond to the current decline in the Finnish economy. The plan covers the years from 2014-2017. The main key points of the plan are as follows: • Corporate income tax will be
See MoreNetherlands: Finance Minister clarifies aspects of international taxation
A letter to the Upper House of Parliament (Eerste Kamer) from the Dutch Finance Minister has presented clarifications of the Dutch tax system in the light of the recent OECD report on base erosion and profit shifting and the steps taken by the G8
See MoreSweden: Record number of taxpayers filing electronically
Online individual tax returns filing, or by text message or phone is available in Sweden. This offers advantages for taxpayers such as earlier receipt of tax refunds due, and helps the tax administration by reducing compliance costs. The Swedish tax
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