United Kingdom – Foreign income dividend claims
In a recent ruling, the England and Wales Court of Appeal issued a decision concerning the time limits for making foreign income dividend (FID) claims and “Manninen claims” in a test case for the FID and Tax Credit Group Litigation. The Court of
See MoreUnited Kingdom – Derivative contracts and anti-avoidance legislation
On 23 January 2014, draft legislation amending the rules for derivative contracts was updated by adding an anti-avoidance provision which disregards debits and credits arising from arrangements to transfer profits between group companies. The
See MoreSweden: Protocol to DTA with Japan signed
The Policy Research Institute of Japan's Finance Ministry confirmed on December 5, 2013 that the governments of Japan and Sweden have signed a Protocol amending the current tax treaty. The main changes are: expansion of the scope of exemption of
See MoreSpain – VAT changes effective in 2014
Spain’s value added tax law Changes which made by Law 14/2013, Royal Decree 828/2013, Order 2214/2013, Royal Decree 1042/2013, and Law 22/2013—generally were effective beginning 1 January 2014. In general, the principle change concerns a new VAT
See MoreSpain to review tax system for families
Spain's Finance Minister has announced that the Government will review family tax reliefs ahead of the next tax reform. In a meeting, he has reiterated the Government's commitment to helping Spanish families and promoting equality of opportunities.
See MoreSpain rejects call to raise VAT to 23%
The Spanish Finance Minister has rejected a call by an influential tax committee to increase its standard value added tax (VAT) rate to 23% to help reduce the budget deficit. Spain has already undergone some of the steepest rises in VAT. The Spanish
See MorePortugal: Corporate Income Tax Reform
The Corporate Income Tax Reform (“CIT Reform”) represents one of the most ambitious tax initiatives undertaken by the Portuguese Government. On January 16 2014, Law no. 2/2014introduced a set of measures that aim to raise the competitiveness of
See MorePoland: 2014 VAT Law
The 2014 Poland VAT Law, which came into effect on 1 January 2014, brings about major changes to the Polish VAT compliance regime. Key changes relate to the tax point in Poland, the VAT base and on intra community supplies within the EU. VAT will
See MorePoland: Amendments to input VAT deductions for automobiles
A draft modification to the rules for input value added tax (VAT) deduction for vehicles has been published, and is expected to be effective from March 2014. The proposed amendments will introduce limitations of the right to claim input VAT,
See MoreNetherlands: New Decree on substance requirements enters into force
From 1 January 2014, a new Decree entered into force which codifies the existing administrative guidance on substance requirements for companies engaged in inter company financing and/or licensing activities. Now, Dutch companies that claim the
See MoreItaly: FATCA intergovernmental agreement signed with United States
Representatives of the governments of Italy and the United States signed an intergovernmental agreement to implement the provisions of U.S. law known as “FATCA” (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act). According to a Ministry of Economy and Finance
See MoreItaly Cancels Budget’s Automatic Tax Deduction Changes
The Italian Government has decided to include proposed measures to rationalize individual income tax deductions within the framework of the draft tax reform law, which is currently before parliament, rather than the recently-approved 2014 Budget
See MoreItaly Allows Taxpayers to Regularize Undeclared Foreign Capital
Recently the Italian Government approved a new decree to constitute a legal framework to allow for the regularization of undeclared capital held abroad by Italian residents. The new decree allows for favorable treatment, including penalty
See MoreIreland: Anti-VAT fraud measures
To prevent fraud in Irish VAT compliance, the Irish government introduced a number of measures through its Finance Bill which came into effect from 1 January 2014. VAT registered businesses will have to refund to the Irish Revenue any deducted input
See MoreEU Discloses Climate Change Plan
The European Commission has proposed the establishment of a market stability reserve at the beginning of the next Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) trading period. The ETS was designed to deliver emissions reduction goals in a harmonized and
See MoreEU Steps Up Actions to Decelerate Custom Fraud
The European Commission expressed their intention to strengthen their effort to anti-fraud operations with the cooperation of the customs and tax authorities. As a part of its six-month European Union (EU) Presidency, Lithuania organized a Joint
See MoreDTA between Luxembourg and Kazakhstan entered into force
Luxembourg ratified the first Income and Capital Tax Treaty with Kazakhstan on 16 May 2013. The treaty was signed on 3 May 2012 and entered into force on 10 December 2013. The provisions of the treaty will be applicable from 1 January 2014
See MoreHungary and Jersey sign a TIEA
Hungary and Jersey signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) on 28 January, 2014. The TIEA will enter into force after ratification by both parties, and the possible date for entry into force is not
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