France Urged To Review Social Housing Tax Break
Under the French tax law there is tax relief available in respect of social housing in certain overseas areas, in an effort to increase the supply of low cost residential accommodation. The French Court of Auditors has however called on the
See MoreFrance – VAT on hotel accommodation may be damaging the tourism sector
In the opinion of some commentators the 1 January 2014 increase in VAT on hotel accommodation may be damaging the French tourism sector. The French hotel VAT rate rose from 7% to 10% in 2014 as part of reorganization of all French VAT rates –
See MoreFrance employers and unions considering draft accord
The French trade unions are considering a draft accord that sets out the terms and conditions for a EUR30bn (USD41.6bn) reduction in labor costs. The main employers' associations Medef, the CGPME, and the UPA have drafted the agreement, which urges
See MoreFrance – Introduces new share saving plans
The French Government has published decree number 2014-283 of March 4, 2014, increasing the ceiling for investment in the tax-exempt share savings plan (PEA), and introducing a new share savings plan (PEA-PME) exclusively for investment in small-
See MoreFinland and Chile Sign US FATCA
On March 5 2014 the United States signed intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with Finland and Chile to implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). A total of twenty four of these IGAs have so far been signed by the US in connection
See MoreExchange of information agreement between Greece and Guernsey enters into force
On 7 March 2014, the Exchange of Information Agreement between Greece and Guernsey entered into force. The agreement generally applies from 7 March 2014. Agreements on the exchange of tax information are seen as an important tool in combating
See MoreExchange of information agreement between Belgium and Guernsey
According to a communication of 11 March 2014, published by the Guernsey tax authorities, Belgium and Guernsey have initialed a tax exchange of information agreement (TEIA). Guernsey has recently been negotiating TIEAs as part of a commitment to
See MoreEU- To Cut Tariffs On Ukrainian Exports
The European Union (EU) is to temporarily cut tariffs on Ukrainian exports until November 1, 2014. The EU has announced that it hopes in the meantime to sign the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement with Ukraine. The College of
See MoreEU – Frequently asked questions on EU Savings Taxation Directive
Recently the European Commission provided a discussion of frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning the EU Savings Taxation Directive. The Savings Directive aims to address cross-border tax evasion by creating an information exchange system for
See MoreEU-European Parliament Backs New Money Laundering Law
The problem of money laundering has received increasing attention in recent years. Although many countries have their own money laundering laws the problem can be tackled more successfully with international cooperation. The European Parliament has
See MoreEU: JTPF presents comments received on the discussion paper on the Arbitration Convention
The Joint Transfer Pricing Forum (JTPF) held a meeting in Brussels on 6 March 2014at which the following items were discussed: – Information by the European Commission on ongoing issues; and – Arbitration
See MoreEstonia – Amendments to VAT law
Estonia’s parliament (Riigikogu) has passed amendments to the value added tax (VAT) law that will be effective in 2014 or in 2015. Among the most significant amendments effective as from 1 March 2014 include the following: The amendments
See MoreBelgium: VAT rate change in 2014
Belgium has suggested that it plans to raise its standard VAT rate from the current rate of 21% to fund cuts to the labour tax regime. The Finance Minister has stated that the rise would be agreed after May’s general election. The amount of the
See MoreBelgium: Reform of taxation after the May elections
Belgium's main political parties have agreed that a reform of taxation must be carried out after the May elections, to modernize and simplify the country's tax law. The Belgian Finance Minister has underlined the need to reduce the number of tax
See MoreBelgium and Jersey signed a TIEA
On 13 March 2014, Belgium and Jersey signed a tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) in London. Jersey has recent concluded a number of agreements on the exchange of tax information as part of its commitment to international standards of
See MoreRomania: Information regarding late penalty payment provisions
After arising from 1st March 2014, the late tax payment penalty relating to liabilities is 0.03% per day of delay in addition to the payment of interest at the applicable
See MoreUS: DTA Protocols between the United States and various countries
The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held talks on February 26, 2014, on the double taxation agreement (DTA) Protocols between the United States and Switzerland and Luxembourg, and DTAs with Hungary and Chile, as part of the nation's
See MoreUS: Finland and Chile Sign FATCA Pacts
On March 5, 2014 the United States signed intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) with Finland and Chile to implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). To date, twenty four of these bilateral agreements have been signed between the US and
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