Irish PM considers tax cuts
It has been reported on 27 December 2013 that for middle income families the Irish Government will prioritize income tax cuts when there is due scope for change, according to the Prime Minister. There will be no income tax increases in the next
See MoreIndia is expected to post a Revenue Service office in Cyprus
India is expected to post a Revenue Service officer in Cyprus early in the new year, just months after it suspended its double tax avoidance agreement (DTAA) with the island. India has set up overseas Tax Units in various countries in an effort to
See MoreSlovenia: Modified Individual Income Tax Law enacted
It has been confirmed on 26 December 2013 that modified Individual Income Tax Law entered into force on 23 November 2013 in Official Gazette 96/2013. The modifications include a provision that in the case of income that arises under a dependent
See MoreAustria: Chancellor says tax reform is first priority
The Austrian Chancellor has clarified that his number one priority is to reform the country’s tax system, as soon as there is scope to do so. The Chancellor highlighted that he will push for the fiscal reform to be financed by wealth taxes. The
See MoreNetherlands and the US sign FATCA Intergovernmental Agreement
The Dutch State Secretary of Finance has concluded and signed an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) in order to improve international tax compliance and to implement the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.The agreement is designed to deal with tax
See MoreLatvia: changes of VAT code 2014
The following changes have been taken place under the Latvian VAT code which will come into effect in January 2014. The requirement to appoint a VAT fiscal representative by non-resident taxable persons is withdrawn. For advertising costs, the
See MoreUnited Kingdom and Iceland sign a DTA
The United Kingdom and Iceland signed a double taxation agreement (DTA) on December 17,
See MoreCzech Republic: New Reduced VAT rate
The Czech coalition government is taking into account to introduce a new, deducted VAT rate for medicines. The EU VAT Directive permits two reduced VAT rates below any member state’s standard VAT rate. These rates may not go beyond 5%.
See MoreCyprus: VAT rate increases
From the 13 January 2014 there will be some changes to the VAT rates in Cyprus as follows: Standard rate of VAT increased to 19% from 18%; Reduced rate of VAT increased to 9% from 8%; and The super reduced and zero rates will remain
See MoreSpain: New law regarding deferred tax assets
A new law (RDL 14/2013) exchange into Spanish tax law the EU directives and regulations regarding the deferred tax assets. The law will enter into force from 1 January 2014, and this will affect Spanish financial institutions in the light of the
See MoreProtocol to treaty between Belgium and Japan
For the entry into force of the Protocol amending the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between Japan and Belgium, mutual notification procedures were completed on 27 November 2013. The Protocol will enter into force on December 27, and in the case
See MorePortuguese Parliament (AR) adopts the Budget for 2014
The country’s State Budget for 2014 (OE 2014) is adopted by the Portuguese Parliament (AR). The budget deficit is reduced to 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) is ensured by the fiscal consolidation measures, in connection with the
See MorePortugal: VAT rate need not be reduced on restaurant trade
There is no need for a cut from the standard 23% rate to the reduced 13% rate. This is indicated by the latest positive estimates of Portuguese VAT restaurant receipts points. VAT rate on restaurant services in Portugal raised from 10% to 23% in
See MoreNetherlands Welcomes Court Ruling on Business Succession Tax Break
The Netherlands Supreme Court has ruled in recent proceedings that the country's business succession rules, provided for in the inheritance and gift tax law, are not contrary to the principle of equality. Under Dutch business succession regulations,
See MoreNetherlands – New transfer pricing decree unifies rules
The Dutch Deputy Minister of Finance has issued a new decree that generally unifies and clarifies prior transfer pricing guidance, and withdraws and cancels prior decrees from 2001 and 2004. The new decree is effective from 27 November 2013. The
See MoreLuxembourg: Rejection of a tax on FTT
A recent report confirmed that Luxembourg’s clear rejection of a tax on financial transactions (FTT). Luxembourg will carry on ruling out the idea of such a tax, as currently envisaged by eleven EU member states, within the structure of enhanced
See MoreJoining of Six More Countries with the Tax Information Exchange Pilot of G5
UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy (the G5) planed for a multilateral program in April which was based on the automatic exchange of tax information. Participants of 37 jurisdictions have expressed their intention to join. Luxembourg,
See MoreLuxembourg: Automatic exchange of tax information
Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister of Luxembourg declared that the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg will adopt the automatic exchange of information foreseen in the European Union Savings Directive and that will effect from first January 2015. The
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