Ireland – Evaluation of R&D tax credit regime
Ireland’s Department of Finance in 2013 undertook a comprehensive review of the Irish research and development (R&D) tax credit regime, to determine that the R&D tax credit provides “value for money” for taxpayers. The review had 5 key
See MoreGuernsey expects to sign a DTA with Austria
According to the Guernsey Government, Guernsey expects to sign a double taxation agreement (DTA) with Austria on May 14, 2014. No further details are currently
See MoreGermany reverses plans on Railway Eco Tax Break Repeal
The German Economy and Energy Minister has reversed plans to strike out the renewable energy tax (EEG-Umlage) rebate for train operators. The EEG-Umlage is intended to finance the transition in Germany towards the use of renewable sources of
See MoreFrance- Transfer Tax hiked
According to the French Tax Administration 66 out of the 101 departments in France have elected to increase their house transfer tax rate from March 1 2014. The house transfer tax is imposed on transactions involving older property. Other expenses
See MoreFrance To Simplify Tax System
The French General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) has found that 192 taxes in France each yield less than EUR150m (USD208m), and has advocated abolishing two-thirds of them. The report has been prepared by the IGF on behalf of the French Budget
See MoreFrance cuts VAT rate on digital news
The French government has updated the Tax Code to reduce the VAT rate on digital news and journals from the standard 20% rate to the reduced rate of 2.1%. This puts digital news on a par with printed newspapers and magazines. This change is in
See MoreEU – Status update of financial transaction tax
The European Commission on 5 March 2014 posted an update of the status of the proposed financial transaction tax. According to the Commission a February 2013 proposal for “enhanced cooperation” reflected the scope and objectives of original
See MoreEU – Excise tax rates for alcohol, tobacco and energy for 2014
Recently, the European Commission posted updated (as of 1 January 2014) indirect tax rates for excise duties on alcohol, tobacco, and energy. Updated rates are available on the EC
See MoreEU – European Commission Looks At Green Tax Options
An increase in taxes on the causes of air and water pollution in the European Union could generate revenues of EUR35bn (USD47.2bn) in real terms in 2016 alone, the European Commission has claimed in a new report. A new study from the European
See MoreEU – European Commission takes action to close the gender pay gap
On 8th March, 2014 the European Commission adopted a Recommendation asking Member States to improve pay transparency for women and men in a bid to help close the gender pay gap. The pay gap – the average difference between women and men’s hourly
See MoreDTA between Hungary and Kosovo enters into force
On March 12, 2014, the double taxation agreement (DTA) signed between Hungary and Kosovo entered into
See MoreDTA between Austria and Taiwan
On February 20, 2014, Austria and Taiwan initialed a double taxation agreement (DTA) following three days of negotiations. No further details are currently
See MoreDenmark: MBA education liable to VAT
The MBA courses provided by Danish public universities are still subject to Danish VAT. The tax authorities wanted to challenge the VAT exemption on these additional educational services on the basis that the learning was not part of the legal
See MoreBelgium’s cdH Pledges Election Tax Cuts
The President of Belgium's Humanist Democratic Center (cdH) has unveiled details of the party's plans to lower taxes for individuals and corporations. The tax reductions would amount to around EUR10bn. The party which is currently a member of the
See MoreBelgium reduces VAT on Electricity
Recent VAT changes in Belgium include the latest change in VAT rate for supplies of electricity. The rate will change from 21% to 6% and will take effect from1 April 2014 until 31 December 2015 with an option to extend the rate into 2016 and
See MoreAlgeria – Negotiation of DTA with the United Kingdom
Negotiations have begun between Algeria and the United Kingdom towards a double taxation agreement (DTA), it was confirmed on March 2, 2014. No further details of the negotiations are currently
See MoreUnited Kingdom – India DTA protocol
As notified by the Indian Ministry of Finance on February 10, 2014, the Protocol amending the India-UK double taxation agreement (DTA) entered into force in the UK and India on December 27, 2013. The DTA Protocol is immediately effective in India,
See MoreUnited Kingdom – HMRC report on offshore tax evasion
The United Kingdom government is continuing to take action against artificial tax avoidance and tax evasion. In this connection the tax administration (HMRC) has issued a "corporate report," which sets out how HMRC addresses offshore tax evasion and
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