EU – VAT guidance for e-services rule changes effective in 2015
The European Commission has issued guidance to help businesses cope with for the new value added tax (VAT) rules for in respect of e-services including telecom, broadcasting, and electronic services. The changes to the place of supply rules are to
See MoreEU Probes French Energy Tax Breaks
The European Commission is looking at the French tax decreases granted to the large energy consumers and consulting other interested parties on the matter. The tax reductions have been granted to reduce the amount of the renewable energy surcharges
See MoreCyprus – Due date for 2012 corporate return extended
According to a recent announcement of the Inland Revenue Department in Cyprus the deadline for electronic filing of corporate tax returns for 2012 has been extended and is not fixed at 30 June
See MoreChina and EU Agree To Work towards FTA
In a meeting between EU leaders and China’s President both sides agreed that they are committed to transparent trade and investment rules. They investigated ways to enhance trade and investment to benefit their economies. When the appropriate
See MoreBelgium: Protocol to tax treaty with Canada
A Protocol amending the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Belgium and Canada has been signed. The Protocol incorporates into the DTA updated provisions in respect of the exchange of tax information. The exchange of information between tax
See MoreUS – Luxembourg and US Sign FATCA Deal
An agreement has been concluded between Luxembourg and the US to ensure that institutions may carry out the provisions of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The two countries reached the agreement on the basis of one of the model
See MoreTreaty between Saudi Arabia and Luxembourg approved by Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia approved the double taxation agreement with Luxembourg on 31 March
See MoreSlovenia- VAT rise from 22% to 24%
Slovenia has increased the standard VAT rate from 22% to 24% with effect from 1 May 2014 until 31 December 2014. This is intended to contribute to dealing with the 14.7% budget deficit to GDP that has arisen due to a bailout of banks in 2013.
See MoreNew Zealand and EU consider Free Trade Agreement
New Zealand and the European Union are considering possibilities for updating their trade and economic relations. As part of this process they are looking at the possibility of concluding a free trade agreement. The leaders of the EU met with New
See MoreLuxembourg supports revised Savings Tax Directive
The EU has adopted the revised Savings Tax Directive, strengthening the efforts to combat cross-border tax evasion by exchanging information on savings income. The revised text extends the scope of the Directive more entities and types of income
See MoreItaly: Italian 2012 Tax Returns Suggest Compliance Gap
Italian statistics in respect of tax returns suggest that Italians on average declared income of around EUR19,750 (USD27,200) in the 2012 fiscal year. Although the government has been encouraging more tax compliance, the number of taxpayers sending
See MoreIreland: IBEC calls for Tax Cuts to Support recovery
Ireland’s business and employers’ confederation IBEC has requested a reduction in the marginal individual income tax rate to bring it below 50 percent and has suggested that the income level at which the top rate of tax begins should also be
See MoreFrance – Study Backs Real Estate Tax Review
The French housing association CGL has pointed out that there are large differences between rates of residence tax in different parts of France. The residence tax is due from the owners or tenants of residential property on the basis of the notional
See MoreFrance – President offers Token Tax Cut for Households
The French is to announce some tax cuts for families in France, according to reports, but the amount of the tax cuts has not been decided and may depend on further reductions in government expenditure. The President also plans to lower labor costs
See MoreFrance- Court Rules in Research Tax Credit Case
In France a tax credit known as the Crédit Impôt Recherche (CIR) is available for certain research and development expenditure by businesses. A recent case (No. 1219816) involved an appeal from a business advisory firm, in respect of the partial
See MoreFrance Reintroduces Rules for Creative Tax Credit
The creative tax credit is given to innovative enterprises in the area of arts and crafts. A company in this sector may obtain a 10% tax credit for expenditure on new products, including the cost of wages, design and protection of new models. The
See MoreFinland decides against VAT increase as taxes rise
On 25 March 2014 Finland is to put through some tax rises and benefits cuts in an attempt to lower the budget deficit. Other Scandinavian countries have VAT rates as high as 25%, and Finland has for some time been considering an increase in VAT.
See MoreGermany: Finance Minister Indicates Tax Cuts Will Come
The German Finance Minister has suggested that tax cuts could be made in the next few years. Various commentators have pointed out that the personal income tax thresholds have not increased in line with inflation, leading to the phenomenon of
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