VAT rate increases in Portugal
Among a range of austerity measures introduced in Portugal is a rise in the standard rate of VAT. The rate is to increase from 23% to 23.25%. This follows earlier rises in the rate in 2008 and 2011. The new measures also include an increase in
See MoreOman – Spain DTA
Oman and Spain signed a double taxation agreement (DTA) on April 30, 2014. No further details of this agreement are currently
See MoreNetherlands Agrees to Amend the Russian DTA
The Netherlands are to begin negotiations with Russia to amend the double taxation agreement (DTA) concluded in 1996, with a first round of negotiations expected to be held in June 2014. Russia has asked for a revision to the agreement to bring it
See MoreItaly – Reduced rates of IRAP regional tax
Decreto-Legge n 66/2014 which was published on 24 April 2014 reduces the rates of the regional tax on productive activities (IRAP). This amendment is awaiting ratification from parliament within 60 days but could be subject to further alterations
See MoreItaly Expands Employee Productivity Tax Incentive
Italy has extended into 2014 the reduced individual income tax rate for earnings from work arrangements that increase corporate productivity. This lower 10 percent rate was first introduced in 2008 and has been extended in the 2014 budget.
See MoreIreland – Belgium DTA
Ireland and Belgium signed a Protocol to amend their double taxation agreement (DTA) on April 14, 2014. The new Protocol updates the Article of the treaty in respect of the exchange of tax information, strengthening the measures for information
See MoreIreland Increases Carbon Tax Rates
With effect from May 1 2014 the solid fuel carbon tax is to be raised. This change will bring the tax up to a level that is equivalent to EUR20 (USD28) per tonne of CO2 emitted, in line with the tax payable in respect of other fossil fuels. This
See MoreBelgium – Tax benefits for investments in economic zones
Belgium has passed legislation providing for tax relief for employers making investments in particular economic zones. The relief is a partial exemption from salary withholding tax in respect of wages paid to new employees who are taken on within
See MoreBelgium ratified the DTA with Bahrain
On April 28, 2014, Belgium ratified the double taxation agreement (DTA) and Protocol signed with Bahrain. No further details of the agreement or Protocol are currently
See MoreAustria Lowers Business Taxes in Federal Budget
The Austrian budget for 2014 aims to decrease the labor costs incurred by business and has also proposed the abolition of the capital transfer tax. Wage costs will be lowered by means of a decrease of 0.1 percent in the accident insurance
See MoreSweden – Intergovernmental agreement under FATCA
The US and Sweden have reached substantial agreement on the content of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) in relation to the US FATCA regulations. The aim of such agreements is to allow the relevant information required by FATCA to be exchange
See MoreFrance and Germany- Businesses Warn Against EU FTT
Representatives of businesses throughout France and Germany have expressed their strong reservations about the planned financial transactions tax (FTT) currently under discussion among some member countries of the European Union (EU). Medef, BDI and
See MoreFrance: Unveils Medium Term Tax Strategy
France’s medium-term economic plan, included in the 2014-2017 Stability Program, involves measures that will help France to reach its public deficit target of 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015. Among the tax measures in the plan is
See MoreEU – UK challenge to financial transaction tax rejected
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has rejected a legal action by the UK challenging the legality of the EU Council’s decision to authorize the plan for a financial transaction tax (FTT) through the mechanism of enhanced cooperation
See MoreItaly: Small businesses consider tax cut to be insufficient
In Italy the association representing small and medium-sized enterprises, has suggested that the government’s plan to reduce the regional tax on production activities (IRAP) by 10 percent will only bring a very small measure of assistance to
See MoreItaly: Government reduces IRAP rate and enacts other tax measures
Law Decree no. 66 published in the Official Gazette on 24 April 2014 confirms certain tax changes that were previously announced on 12 March 2014. The measures include a reduction of the regional tax on productive activities (IRAP) from a standard
See MoreExchange of information agreement between Belgium and Cayman Islands
An Exchange of Information Agreement (2014) was signed between Belgium and Cayman Islands on 28 April 2014. This agreement will facilitate the exchange of tax information and thereby help to ensure that it is more difficult for taxpayers to evade
See MoreUK – Tougher Penalties for Offshore Evaders
Offshore tax evaders are likely to face stiffer penalties under measures recently announced in the 2014 UK Budget. The UK government has said that stricter penalties would apply to individuals who hold money in hidden bank accounts in countries that
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