UK: 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
See MoreTreaty between Albania and United Kingdom signed
On 26 March 2013, Albania and the United Kingdom signed a Double Taxation Agreement. The agreement generally follows the provisions of the OECD Model, with some modifications. The agreement will enter into force when the appropriate ratification
See MoreUK Finance Bill 2013 published
Following the Budget announcements on 20 March, the UK published the Finance Bill 2013 on 28 March 2013. The Bill includes a reduction in the main rate of corporation tax to 21% in 2014 and to 20% in 2015. Explanatory Notes to the Finance Bill have
See MoreFinland Plans to Cut Corporate Tax Rate in 2014
On 21 March 2013, the government of Finland announced that it had reached an agreement on its tax plans for the tax years from 2014 to 2017. Finland plans to further cut its corporate tax rate to 20% from the current 24.5% rate, as of the beginning
See MoreUK-Budget announcements for 2013
The Chancellor of the Exchequer presented the 2013 Budget to Parliament on 20 March, 2013. The draft Finance Bill is to be published on 28 March. As previously announced, the main rate of corporation tax will be reduced from 23% in April 2013 to 21%
See MoreUK: new double tax treaty with Norway
On 14 March 2013 the UK signed a new double taxation treaty with Norway. When the treaty enters into force it will replace the current treaty which was signed in 2000. The treaty generally follows the provisions of the OECD Model and incorporates
See MoreUK: New double tax treaty with Spain
On 14 March 2013 the UK and Spain signed a new double taxation treaty. The treaty will come into force when the ratification procedures have been completed. When it comes into effect the new treaty will replace the treaty currently in force which
See MoreDouble taxation convention between the United Kingdom and Ethiopia entered into force
The Comprehensive Double Taxation Convention between the UK and Ethiopia entered into force as of 21 February 2013. The treaty was signed on 9 June 2011. The convention generally follows the OECD Model Tax Convention. According to the provisions of
See MoreLuxembourg-Czech Republic DTA signed
The Czech Republic and Luxembourg has signed a bilateral double taxation agreement (DTA) on March 5, 2013 and this new treaty will replace the former Czechoslovakia – Luxembourg Income and Capital Tax Treaty (1991). The new treaty generally
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