Treaty between Bahrain and Hungary approved by Bahrain’s cabinet
Bahrain has approved the Income Tax Treaty signed 23 March 2014 with Hungary. The treaty is not yet in force and no further details of the treaty are currently
See MoreSweden to Investigate Tax Incentives for SMEs
Sweden is looking at the tax treatment of entrepreneurs, start ups and small businesses with a view to improving the competitiveness of the country’s business and increasing employment. An investigation has been launched to consider the changes
See MoreSpain’s Prime Minister Considers Cultural VAT Cut
The Prime Minister of Spain has suggested that the standard rate of value added tax (VAT) applied to goods and services could be reduced as part of a general tax reform. The Spanish government has recently raised the VAT rate on the cultural sector
See MoreSpain- Industry Comments on Tax Reform Proposals
The Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE) has given a mixed response to the tax overhaul proposed by Spain's Expert Committee on Tax Reform. Its recommendations focused on lowering direct tax rates by cutting back on the number of
See MoreSaudi Arabia and Hungary sign a DTA
Saudi Arabia and Hungary signed a double taxation agreement (DTA) on 24 March 2014. No further details of the agreement are currently
See MoreRussia: treaty between Russia and Italy clarified by the Ministry of Finance
Letter No. 03-08-РЗ/10213 published by the Russian Finance Ministry explains the position with respect to dividends paid by Russian companies to Italian parent companies. The participation exemption is available if the parent company meets a 365
See MoreRomania: New tax law to conform to EU rules
Romania has passed Law No 8/2014 to bring the tax low into line with EU provisions. The Law provides for new VAT place of supply rules for broadcasting, telecom and electronically supplied services that are similar to EU rules. The Law also reforms
See MoreRomania will not reduce VAT rate yet
Romania has announced that it cannot lower the current 24% VAT rate unless economic growth of more than 3 percent continues until 2015. Like some other EU countries, Romania raised its VAT rate on a temporary basis to deal with the consequences of
See MoreRevision to treaty between India and Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s Ministry of Finance has been authorized to begin negotiations for a double tax treaty with India. After it has been signed and has entered into force the new treaty will replace the current treaty signed in
See MorePortugal: Personal Income Tax System Reform
Portugal has appointed an expert committee to consider improvements to the personal tax system. Simplification of the individual income tax could improve social mobility and encourage tax compliance, according to the government. The tax system needs
See MorePoland – New guidelines concerning transfer pricing regulations on business restructuring
Poland has prepared guidance on some questions arising from the issue of transfer pricing regulations last year. The guidance is generally based on OECD principles. Under the guidance the expression “business restructuring” is defined as the
See MoreNetherlands – Dutch taxpayer liable for Swiss captive subsidiary’s profits
A recent decision by a district Court in the Netherlands involved a Swiss captive insurance company that did not have any employees. The Court reached the decision that the tax authorities in the Netherlands were correct in levying tax on a related
See MoreLithuania – Tax card for 2014
Lithuania has prepared a “tax card” that provides an easy-to-read overview of the tax system in Lithuania for 2014. This provides a convenient reference for businesses operating in
See MoreLatvia introduces Tax card for 2014
Latvia has prepared a “tax card” that provides an easy-to-read overview of the tax system in Latvia for 2014. This card includes a review of Latvia’s corporate income tax rates and rules, micro-enterprise tax, individual (personal) income tax,
See MoreItalian Red Tape Reduction Could Fund Tax Cuts
At its 15th annual forum the President of Confcommercio, the federation representing small and medium-sized enterprises, professionals and sole traders in Italy, re-asserted his appeal for the Government to link a reduction in public expenditure
See MoreIreland – Finance Minister clarifies Corporate Tax Developments
Ireland has confirmed that the changes to residency rules that are intended to deal with the problem of mismatches between treaty partner countries have so far not affected any company’s residence status. The reform which was in the 2014 Finance
See MoreIreland – Car Tax Breaks for Disabled Persons
Ireland has announced that from the end of this year it is to abolish the excise duty relief relating to the fuel portion of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme. This is a consequence of a decision of the European Court of Justice,
See MoreFrance – VAT on house improvement rises
France has confirmed that the reduced rate of VAT on home improvements is to rise from 7 percent to 10 percent. The previous 7 percent rate will however still apply in certain situations including work that began before 1 January 2014 and cases
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