Spain and Dominican Republic treaty enters into force
The income tax treaty between Dominican Republic and Spain will enter into force from 25 July 2014. The treaty was signed on 16 November 2011, which generally follows the OECD provision and concluded Spanish language. Under treaty, the maximum
See MoreGreece: Planning to cut tax rates for oil and gas companies
The tax rate of oil and gas explorers has been planned to reduce to 25% from current tax rate of 40% and 5% of the tax will be allotted for local communities. As per Greece energy minister, Ioannis Maniatis, the measure will be taken to attract
See MoreGermany: To focus on tax reforms in G7
As per German media report of 29 June 2014, Germany wants to focus on tax reform after taking over the presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) next week. Germany emphasized the need for sound public finances to achieve effective growth in the G7
See MorePoland: Proposal for single VAT rate
The Finance Ministry of Poland revised its standard and reduced rate of VAT for creating a single rate to simplify the VAT procedure. Poland’s current VAT rate is 23%; this rate will decrease in between 8% to5%. From 2016 this rate will further
See MoreCzech Republic: Amendment of VAT Law has submitted to parliament
The government has submitted a VAT Law amendment to the parliament initiating changes to supply rules in telecommunications field, broadcasting and electronic services. The changes would generally apply with effect from January 1, 2015. The main
See MoreAustria: planning for Restructuring Tax Administration
Austrian Finance Minister planning for greater fiscal sovereignty for the federal states and municipalities, to decrease administrative costs and finance tax cuts for low earners. He also said that, “tax sovereignty should pass from Government to
See MoreFATCA agreement between US and Latvia signed
Latvia and the United States signed a Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Agreement, on June 27, 2014. Under the agreement, Foreign Financial Institutions (FFIs) in Latvia will report the information required under FATCA about U.S. accounts
See MoreEU Signs Historic Trade Pacts with Eastern States
The European Union (EU) and three of Russia’s neighbors signed sweeping trade-and-political agreements that will ultimately eliminate tariff barriers to trade. The deals with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova which will provide for a deep and
See MoreSwitzerland-Hungary: Signed Double Taxation Agreement
Switzerland and Hungary signed a double taxation agreement on 4 June 2014. Switzerland's lower house of parliament has approved the DTA after ratification by both
See MoreSpain: Cabinet approves reduction to income tax rates
The Spanish Cabinet on June 20, 2014, approved the downsizing the corporate and individual income tax rates to encourage investment and employment. Under the revised plans, the corporate tax rate will fall from 30% to 28% in 2015 and to 25 percent
See MoreIMF alerts Slovak Republic on VAT rate cut
Slovakia has increased its VAT rate from 19% to 20% in 2011. IMF has warned that reducing the rate back to 19% would expense 0.3% GDP in tax takes for the country. As the economic picture has enhanced slightly, many countries have started to think
See MoreFrance Reveals Revised HGV Tax
The French Ministry of Ecology has announced that the plans for a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) "eco" tax will be abandoned. Instead of this a truck transit toll will be imposed from 1 January 2015. The charge will be applied to all HGVs over 3.5
See MoreFrance: Withdraws IHT Agreement with Switzerland
The government of France has announced to withdraw the 1953 inheritance tax (IHT) agreement with Switzerland effective from 31 December 2014. Accordingly from 1 January 2015 in the absence of a treaty domestic inheritance tax rules will be
See MoreSlovak Republic: IMF advises to keep current VAT rate
International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) advice to Slovakia to preserve the 20% VAT rate and focus more on boosting state revenues rather than further cutting of expenses. The IMF assumes that the plan to reduce VAT to 19 % would responsible for 0.3%
See MoreCzech Republic: Announcement of new anti-tax evasion force
The Ministry of Interior has declared the a new anti-tax evasion unit, naming "Cobra" regarding the sign of a protocol agreement on exchange information for customs, tax, and police chiefs and promised results by the end of the year. Finance
See MoreItaly: Simplification of Individual Tax Filing by incorporating the provision of pre-compiled tax returns
Italian cabinet approved a draft tax simplification law decree on June 20, 2014. It was confirmed by the Minister of Constitutional Reforms and Relations Maria, Elena Boschi that from 2015 tax returns will be pre-compiled for 30 million Italian
See MoreGermany: Setting up a special unit within the tax investigation department to protect fiscal crime
A special unit has been set up by the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg within its tax investigation department to protect fiscal crime at federal level. The unit will involve carrying out investigation to trace tax evasion strategies and
See MoreFrance: Planning of Tax Cuts By 2017
The French Court of Auditors is estimating that the companies’ liability to mandatory levies will be cut by EUR14bn between 2015 and 2017. The Responsibility, Solidarity Pact, the tax credit for competitiveness and employment program will
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