UK-Netherlands: Protocol to treaty enters into force
The Protocol amending the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between the UK and the Netherlands, signed in London on 12 June 2013, has entered into force on 13 December 2013. The Protocol is effective in the UK for any assessment year beginning on or
See MoreBelgium: Rules for “self-billing” for VAT purposes
The Belgian fiscal administration has issued guidance on the application of a “self-billing” system for value added tax (VAT) purposes. The Belgian self-billing rules enable a customer to issue an invoice in respect of the supplier, for supplies
See MoreUK: Coalition Partner indicates preference for Income Tax Allowance Increases
The UK Deputy Prime Minister has said that the personal allowance could be increased beyond the target GBP 10,000 in April 2014 if the Government were to abandon “pet projects” on tax and focus on on a single goal of a high allowance
See MoreUK Chancellor Envisions Permanent Tax Cuts
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer has reiterated the government’s commitment to continue cutting taxes, especially through spending cuts, and without any extra borrowing. He cited the cuts in income taxes and freezing fuel duty, and the increase
See MoreProtocol to Ireland – Switzerland DTA enters into force
Ireland’s tax administration, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, has confirmed that the Protocol signed with Switzerland became effective on January 1,
See MoreSlovenia: Tax Procedure Law amended
The Slovenian Parliament passed into law amendments to the Tax Procedure Law on 18 December 2013. These changes apply from 1 January 2014. The main changes cover undeclared taxable income,the applicable statute of limitations and rules on the
See MoreNetherlands: Commodity Board Levies Removed
The Netherlands Finance Ministry has announced that compulsory levies payable by companies to the Dutch commodity and industrial boards (PBO) will be abolished from 1 January 2014. While PBOs undertook a number of functions, e.g. animal welfare and
See MoreItaly: Efforts to combat tax evasion
Italy has taken steps to discourage cash payment for certain goods and services from 1 January 2014 as part of the effort to combat tax evasion. E.g. claims for the additional tax deduction for reconstruction or energy-saving work will be denied for
See MoreIreland: SME Body requests changes in tax system
The SFA (Small Firms Association) has stated that Ireland needs changes to the tax system in order to create more jobs. He pointed out that the country has one of the highest marginal individual tax rates in the Organization for Economic
See MoreFrance: Property Savings Account Tax Perk to remain
The Budget Minister of France has confirmed that there are no plans to change regulated home buyers savings account (PEL savings account). This measure enables individuals to earn tax free interest earned up to a period of 12 years, and offers
See MoreSlovakia: Corporate tax rate reduction, international tax rules changed
The Finance and Budget Committee of the National Council of the Slovak Republic recently proposed some changes to the Slovak Income Tax Act. The proposed changes cover reduction in the corporate income tax rate, carry forward of tax losses, transfer
See MoreProtocol to Canada- France DTA enters into force
The Protocol amending the Canada-France DTA signed on 2 February 2010 entered into force on 27 December
See MoreNetherlands: New decree on arm’s length principle published
The Netherlands State Secretary for Finance issued Decree No. IFZ 2013/184M on 26 November 2013 (Official Gazette No. 32854) which relates to the application of the arm’s length principle and the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines. The revised
See MoreFrance: Tax provisions enacted
The French Parliament passed the tax legislative packages for 2014 on 19 December 2013, which were subsequently scrutinized by the Constitutional Court on 29 December 2013 and eventually enacted into law on 30 December 2013. Most of the key
See MoreBulgaria: Intrastat reporting threshold changed in 2014
Bulgaria has changed its 2014 Intrastat reporting thresholds with effect from 1 January 2014. The current arrivals (imports from other EU member states) threshold of BGN 240,000 has been increased to BGN 360,000; while current despatches (exports to
See MoreBelgium: Proposed changes to expatriate tax rules
The Belgian government has proposed legislation to amend the rules for determining the non-resident individual (personal) income tax as applicable to expatriates. Proposed changes include the repeal of personal exemptions for expatriates benefiting
See MoreUK: Increase in 2014 intrastat reporting thresholds
The United Kingdom has updated the annual reporting thresholds for Intrastat declarations from 1 January 2014. For arrivals (import of goods from other EU member states) the threshold will rise from GBP600,000 to GBP1,200,000 per annum; and for
See MoreBelgium: Increase in resident VAT registration threshold
Belgium has proposed an increase in the resident EU VAT registration threshold. This will rise to EUR 15,000 from the current EUR €5,580 at a date in early 2014 to be confirmed. The European Commission to reduce the compliance paperwork and
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