France: Greater transfer pricing documentation burden on taxpayers
The government of France has introduced a new bill with an effort to prevent tax evasion. The bill is expected to bring a greater compliance burden to taxpayers. According to the draft law companies are required to submit and file their
See MoreFrance: Carbon tax to be included in budget 2014
The committee for ecological taxation (CFE) of France emphasized that a carbon tax is an effective instrument to modify production and consumption behavior. The CFE suggested that the rate of the tax should be progressively increased until
See MoreFrance is looking to review transfer pricing provisions
A report published by the Inspectorate General for Finance (IGF) on 6 June indicates that France is looking to review transfer pricing aspects of its tax code in order to better impose the arm’s-length principle. The French sanctions and
See MoreFrance Begins Tax Break Simplification
The French Government has announced a number of tax simplification measures. The aim is to simplify administrative procedures in respect of taxation for both companies and individuals in France, and to reduce state spending on tax breaks. The
See MoreMalta and US FATCA negotiations oncluded
Recently negotiations concerning an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) relating to US FATCA regulations (FATCA) have been concluded between Malta and the US. Financial institutions must comply with certain prescribed reporting obligations for the
See MoreECJ: Decision on state aid and Finland’s tax loss carry forward rules
A case was brought before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) concerning the question of whether Finland’s rules for carrying forward tax losses were contrary to the state aid provisions in Article 107 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
See MoreEU: ECJ Rules on Denmark’s exit tax rules
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) on 18 July 2013 issued a decision in a case concerning Denmark’s exit tax. The case was brought by the European Commission. At the point where a person leaves Denmark an exit tax is calculated on the person’s
See MoreUK: VAT changes for telecommunications, broadcasting and e-services
The UK tax authority HMRC has issued a briefing on changes to the VAT place of supply rules affecting telecommunications, broadcasting and e-services from 1 January 2015. From that date where these services are supplied from a business established
See MorePortugal: Madeira’s International Business Center regime transfer pricing deadline
Among other tax incentives, the new Madeira International Business Centre (MIBC) regime introduced by Portugal provides reduced corporate income tax rates of 4% (in 2012) and 5% between 2013 and 2020. Under the new regime companies are required to
See MoreNetherlands: Increased depreciation allowed for second half of 2013
In Netherlands an amendment to the depreciation rules is effective from 1 July 2013 allowing entrepreneurs to immediately deduct from tax up to half of the amount of corporate investments in new assets. The temporary “bonus” depreciation rules
See MoreNetherlands: Additional Bill on taxation of rental income passed
The additional Bill on the taxation of rental income for 2013 was published in the Official Gazette on 12 July 2013. Rental income from housing in the regulated sector will become liable to a special levy based on the value of the house. In 2013,
See MoreItaly: Approval of new nonresident forms for mitigation of withholding taxes
The Italian tax authorities released revised and updated versions of forms on 11 July 2013 which is to be used by non-residents in filing claims for an exemption, refund or reduction of Italian taxes on dividends, interest, royalties and other
See MoreHungary: Increased financial transactions and mining tax rates
The Hungarian Parliament passed legislation in late June 2013. The legislation is planned to increase the tax collections and other supports so that the government could meet its target for a balanced national budget. According to the legislation a
See MoreFrance Considers Imposing a Surtax On Luxury Hotels
France is currently considering the idea of introducing a tax on luxury hotels. A committee considering the issue has suggested that a tax of between 2% and 6% could be imposed on hotel rooms to fund activities for young people. The proposals are
See MoreEU: Applications for customs duty relief
For enterprises which want to claim relief from customs duty regarding imports of specific goods into the European Union (EU), the following due date for filing applications is 31 July 2013. This relief from import duty normally applies to imported
See MoreECJ: European Commission refers the matter of cross-border loss relief for UK groups
The European Commission has requested the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to determine that the conditions imposed by the UK tax rules on cross-border group relief mean that in practice it is almost impossible for companies to receive this loss
See MoreECJ: Decision in the Ocean Finance case
The case of Paul Newey (trading as Ocean Finance) concerned a UK loan broker arranging loans between lenders and borrowers within the UK. Mr. Newey set up a Jersey company called Alabaster (CI) Ltd and gave this company the right to use the trading
See MoreUK: Review of bank levy
When the introduction of the UK bank levy was announced in the 2010 budget it was also announced that there would be a review in 2013 to ensure that the levy was operating efficiently. On 4 July 2013 the UK published a consultation document on the
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