Greece: OECD Report Considers Streamlined VAT Obligations
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has proposed changes that would assist taxpayers in complying with the value added tax (VAT) rules. The compliance burden for taxpayers could be reduced by establishing a clear
See MoreGermany: OECD Report Suggests Lower Labor Taxes
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has stressed the need for Germany to implement economic reforms to achieve sustainable growth. The priorities include making the tax system more equitable and environmentally
See MoreGerman Transition to Electronic Payroll Tax Platform Successful
The introduction of an electronic income tax tracking system, ELStAM, has been carried out without any problems, as is shown by the figures to 7 April 2014. This new system has been introduced to deal with tax on wages and more than two million
See MoreGerman States Agree Tougher Tax Regularization Rules
German federal state finance ministers have discussed improvements to the tax system and have decided on action to strengthen the “declaration of non-compliance” that permits residents to regularize their tax affairs without the possibility of
See MoreGerman Bill Revises Energy Tax Concessions for Industry
The Cabinet has given the go-ahead to a Bill to amend the provisions of the renewable energy law. This ensures that the tax concessions given to energy intensive companies are not contrary to EU law, while preserving the competitive nature of energy
See MoreFrench Local Tax Reforms Have Cut Tax Burden
A report issued by the Board of Compulsory Levies (CPO) in France suggests that small and medium enterprises have benefited by the introduction of the local economic contribution in place of the local business tax. This contribution is the most
See MoreFrance- Lawmakers Seek Simpler Tax Regularization Scheme
French members of parliament have indicated that offering taxpayers a chance for tax regularization through a lump sum 10 percent tax on assets repatriated would raise revenue for the government of around EUR 10 billion. Around half of this sum
See MoreFrance Plans Higher Exempt Threshold for Low Earners
The French Prime Minister intends to take around 650,000 low income individuals out of the direct tax net by adjusting the personal income tax thresholds. Taxpayers with income up to around EUR 15,000 would not be paying income tax after these
See MoreEU – Customs tariff duties suspension on industrial and agricultural products
The European Commission has issued a notice to economic operators in relation to the suspension of autonomous common customs tariff duties on certain industrial and agricultural products. A list of the products affected by the measure is available
See MoreEU: Issues opinion regarding cross-border intra-company transactions within a VAT group
On 8 May 2014, the Advocate General (AG) of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued an opinion in the case of Skandia America Corporation USA, Sweden branch (C-7/13). The questions referred to the CJEU by the Swedish court related
See MoreEU Member States React To EU FTT Declaration
Some EU member states have commented on the intention of a number of member states to go ahead with the introduction of a financial transactions tax (FTT) under the EU’s enhanced cooperation provisions. The member states that are not participating
See MoreEU and China sign mutual recognition agreement
A mutual recognition agreement signed by the EU and China is to simplify procedures and lower costs for many traders. The two sides agree to recognize their certified safe traders and to permit them to benefit from speedier controls and reduced
See MoreUS: New treaty delayed in Senate due to renewed opposition
Based on privacy concerns Senator is opposing the ratification of some US tax treaties including the Hungary – United States Income Tax Treaty (2010). The Senator is particularly concerned that the US government would be permitted by the treaty
See MoreUK: Tax Reform Has Boosted UK’s Appeal to Business
The UK’s Exchequer Secretary has suggested that there is currently high business confidence in the tax system. One reason for this is that the UK has recently taken measures to improve the attractiveness of its tax system including reductions to
See MoreSwiss Bankers Ask France to Increase Amnesty Uptake
The President of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), has suggested that France should extend and enhance its tax regularization facility to allow more taxpayers to make a voluntary declaration to normalize their tax affairs. At the moment the
See MoreRomania Pursues Tax Debtors
Romania’s tax authority has commenced a pilot project aiming to ensure that medium sized businesses pay their tax arrears. Businesses are being contacted and given the options available for settling their liabilities. The intention is to
See MorePortugal Discloses Tax Rates For 2015
Portugal’s medium term economic strategy includes provisions to raise the rate of value added tax (VAT) and social security contribution (TSU). The government also intends to decrease the extraordinary solidarity contribution (CES) on
See MoreMalta – Russia DTA
On May 22 2014 the double taxation agreement (DTA) between Malta and Russia is to enter into force. Under the agreement, withholding tax on dividends paid from Russia is restricted to 5% where the recipient company has a 25% shareholding in the
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