France to Hike VAT
The French President announced on January 3, 2012 that his government will hike value-added tax before the upcoming elections, to allow for a reduction in social security contributions paid by companies. The tax measures would be in place before
See MoreDTA between Taiwan and Germany Signd
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on 3 January 2012 that Taiwan and Germany have signed a bilateral double taxation agreement (DTA). The DTA, which is subject to ratification procedures in both countries before it enters into force,
See MoreUK: Latest Transfer Pricing Statistics Released
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) settled the UK’s Transfer Pricing rules such a way that the pricing of transactions between connected can result into an increased revenue yield. The internationally recognized ‘arm’s length principle’ is
See MoreSettlement of Small Tax Debts by 120,000 Italians
120,000 taxpayers have taken the opportunity to settle their small tax debts with the Revenue Agency In accordance with the tax administration provisions of the Italian budget approved in July 2011. From July, by immediately paying the tax due,
See MoreReduced VAT in 2013 in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian government announced that it will reduce the nation’s value-added tax by 1% in 2013 with a target of reaching 16% by 2015. The government said that in order to freeze the excise duty hikes until 2015, a cut from the current 20% rate
See MoreAustria – Mulls wealth-related taxes in EUR10bn package
Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger recently united on plans for a five-year budgetary consolidation package, amounting to a total volume of around EUR10bn (USD13bn), to be agreed by the end of February
See More“Save Italy” Budget is approved
The Italian government has finally approved the "Save Italy" budget with few modifications, except for those previously agreed by the government. Despite continued opposition from different groups, especially, the trade union to the pension reforms
See MoreRevised DTA between Germany and Switzerland entered into force
The revised double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Germany has now entered into force following a recent exchange of the instruments of ratification. The revision of the existing DTA between the two countries was signed on October
See MoreTIEA between UK and Dominica in forced
A Tax Information Exchange Agreement between the United Kingdom and Dominica entered into force on 23 December 2011. The agreement was signed in London on 31 March
See MoreBelgian Rules on import warehouse fiscal representatives
Thes European Court of Justice recently reviewed the VAT liability of fiscal representative to any VAT default by their clients. The Belgian VAT authorities offer a special import VAT deferment scheme for companies importing into Europe for the
See More2012 Budget has been restored by the French Deputies
In order to achieve its ambitious deficit reduction targets, the French National Assembly has essentially restored the initial bill proposed by the government, which contains a raft of targeted tax rises and cuts in public spending. Certain
See MoreLuxembourg: Crisis contribution repealed
Draft law n°6350 on the State budget for 2012 has been voted by Parliament on 8 December 2011. Although a couple of steps still need to be completed for the law to be published in the Luxembourg official gazette, it is unlikely that its content
See MoreUK: VAT registration threshold drops for foreign businesses
Following a recent European Court of Justice Case, Schmez C 97/09, the Value Added Tax registration threshold for foreign businesses has been forced to be withdrawn by the UK. The change will be effective from the end of 2012. According to this
See MoreIreland: VAT rate raise from 21% to 23%
The government of Ireland announce an increase of its standard VAT rate from 21% to 23% from January 2012. This increase is an acceleration of plans to raise the VAT rate to 23% by 2014. The government’s main target is to reduce the GDP deficit
See MoreOman and Netherlands DTA will in force from 1 January 2012
It has been reported that the income tax treaty between the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been approved by both the Omani and Dutch parliaments. As a result, the treaty will enter into force on January 1, 2012. The treaty
See MoreAutomated Transactions Tax has been approved by the French Senate
The French Senate approved plans to establish a tax on automated transactions in France, on 23 November 2011, to curb the rapid rise in high frequency trading. The new initiative proposes to impose from January 1, 2012, a tax on certain investment
See MoreAustria: Lawmakers approve 2012 Budget
During a third reading, Austria’s National Council recently adopted the country’s 2012 budget, providing for a deficit of 3.2%, as well as for state debt of 74.6% of gross domestic product (GDP). Drawn up under the motto “stable finances for a
See MoreGermany expects additional tax revenues in 2011
The tax estimate unveiled recently by the German finance ministry predicts higher tax revenues both this year and in the coming years, than previously predicted in the May forecast. The German finance ministry confirmed after the meeting in Halle of
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