Ireland 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
See MoreSwitzerland – New VAT registration requirements on foreign companies
Switzerland is planning to require non-resident companies that provide services in Switzerland to charge Swiss VAT on the services at a rate of 8%. There is a need for all foreign service providers to comply with this requirement so that Swiss
See MoreSwitzerland: Consults on revised rules for expats
Switzerland is planning changes to the tax deductions to which expatriates are entitled, as a result of recommendations by a working group set up for the purpose. A revision to the legislation would involve changing the definition of an expatriate
See MoreSwitzerland: Expands professional training tax breaks
In Switzerland a federal law in relation to tax deductions for professional development and training costs is to take effect from 1 January 2016. The rules will widen the current tax deduction to encompass virtually all training fees rather than
See MoreSpain Introduces New Tax Measures
Tax reforms published in Spain include a number of changes intended to boost employment and growth. The changes announced on 25 February 2014 include an increase in family allowances and the allowances for older people; an exemption from income tax
See MoreSlovenia – Iran DTA ratified
It is reported that Slovenia on 6 March 2014 ratified the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Iran. The DTA which was originally signed on 20 September 2011 will enter into force when both countries have completed the necessary ratification
See MoreItaly Introduces e-advertising Tax Legislation
Italy has introduced a tax measure under which foreign companies must apply for a VAT number if they intend to engage in the sale of online advertising to enterprises in Italy. This measure is to take effect on 1 July 2014. The delay in carrying out
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