EU – VAT refund claims are due by 30 June 2014
Businesses incurring costs in many EU countries may recover the VAT on those costs even if they are not registered for VAT in that particular country. In many of the EU jurisdictions there is a 30 June deadline in any year for making the reclaim.
See MoreEU – Changes to VAT place-of-supply rules in 2015
There will be a change to the EU VAT place-of-supply rules, which determine where VAT is collected and remitted for some types of service, with effect from 1 January 2015. This change will affect businesses providing services such as
See MoreEU Tackles Single Market Tax Obstacles
The European Commission has begun two public consultations, on discriminatory tax rules that my affect the position of individuals in European Union (EU) member states. These consultations are aim to help efforts to take away tax obstacles to
See MoreEU: Court of Justice decision affecting US regulated investment companies
On 10 April 2014, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in case C-190/12 concerning the Emerging Markets Series of DFA Investment Trust Company. The CJEU held that barring a non-EU investment fund, in this case a US investment
See MoreDTA between Portugal and Peru enters into force
It is reported that on April 12, 2014, the double taxation agreement (DTA) concluded between Portugal and Peru entered into
See MoreCyprus – Company incorporated, but not tax resident of Cyprus
Circular 2014/3 of March 2014 gives guidance in respect of the tax return requirements in the situation where a company is incorporated in Cyprus but is not tax resident in the country. According to the Circular companies in this position must be
See MoreBulgaria’s Finance Ministry to draft Tax Fraud Prevention Strategy
Bulgaria is to produce a tax fraud prevention strategy. The Finance Ministry is combining its efforts with those of other government control authorities to look at the most effective strategies for combating illegal behavior. The new rules will be
See MoreAustrian Unions drive for lower income tax rates
The President of the Austrian Federation of Trade Unions (ÖGB) has suggested that the income tax on low income employees should be significantly reduced. He suggested that the government should decrease the starting rate of income tax from the
See MoreSpanish Supreme Court confirms the minimum participation withholding rate for application of Spain-Netherlands tax treaty
The Spanish Supreme Court issued a decision on 6 March in relation to application of the double tax agreement between Spain and the Netherlands signed on 16 June 1971. The Court confirmed that the 5% reduced rate for withholding tax under the DTA
See MoreLuxembourg Confirms 2015 VAT rise
The Luxembourg government is to raise the rate of VAT 15% to 17% on 1 January 2015. The lower VAT rates charged on certain categories of expenditure will also rise from 12% and 6% to 14% and 8%, respectively. The third reduced VAT rate of 3%
See MoreLuxembourg – Capital Flight Expected
Luxembourg’s intention to begin automatic exchange of information from January 1, 2015, is considered likely to have a significant impact on the financial sector. The national statistics agency Statec considers that a proportion of around five
See MoreLithuania – VAT and excise tax updates
Lithuania is supplying additional explanatory notes on the VAT law so as to given guidance to taxpayers involved in mixed activities and to give practical case details on derivatives. If taxpayers refer to notes provided by the tax authorities this
See MoreItaly receives further Financial Transaction Reports
As part of efforts by the Italian Revenue Agency to increase the scrutiny of tax compliance reports by banks and other financial institutions containing statistics of transactions for 2012 were due to be submitted by March 31, 2014. The scrutiny of
See MoreIreland – Taxation of Termination Payments Challenged
European Commission has requested Ireland to change its legislation on termination payments paid to individuals when their employment contracts end, as the Commission is of the opinion that the Irish rules are a restriction on the free movement of
See MoreIreland Launches Tax Relief Review
As part of a review of tax relief the Irish Government has launched public consultations on certain tax relief. The reviews of these tax breaks are to be completed by May 2014 and the findings of the reviews will be taken into consideration by the
See MoreGermany and China sign a DTA and Protocol
Germany and China signed a new double tax agreement (DTA) and Protocol on March 28 2014. The agreement generally follows the provisions of the OECD Model but the definition of a permanent establishment includes the provision of services in the other
See MoreGerman Government under renewed pressure to raise personal income tax bands
Germany is being urged to increase the personal income tax bands to keep pace with inflation following estimates that a sizeable amount of tax will be collected as a result of the effects of inflation rather than real increases in individual income.
See MoreFrance- President Promises to Push Through Tax Cuts
The French President has pledge to put the economy on firmer ground by reducing taxes for households and businesses, with the aim of increasing the consumers’ net income and purchasing power. The President has promised to reduce labor costs for
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