France – Creation of new program for APAs and MAPs
The French tax authorities have announced the creation of a new program—Mission d’expertise juridique et économique internationale (MEJEI) - which will be responsible for both advance pricing arrangements (APAs) and mutual agreement procedures
See MoreBelgian Finance Minister Preserves Savings Tax Perk
The Belgian Finance Minister has clarified that the 15 percent favorable rate of withholding tax, levied on income derived from regulated savings deposits, is to remain in place despite a recent ruling from the country's Constitutional Court,
See MoreGermany and Costa Rica sign a double tax agreement
On February 13, 2014, the Costa Rican government announced that it has signed an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation on income and capital with Germany. The agreement aims to eliminate situations of conflicting double taxation between the
See MoreBelgium changes Film Tax Shelter
Following consultation with business and parliamentary discussions the Belgian Council of Ministers has approved plans to modify the tax regime benefiting the film industry. Production companies in Belgium are required under the current regime to
See MoreUpdate of DTA between Belgium and China
On 27 January 2014, Belgium’s finance ministry announced changes to the effective dates of the Double Tax Agreement (DTA) with China. The finance ministry had previously announced that the agreement would come into effect on Jan. 4, 2014 and
See MoreProtocol between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands is in force
The DTA Protocol signed between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands entered into force on January 31, 2014. The provisions of the Protocol have effect: in the United Kingdom: in respect of income tax and capital gains tax, for any year of
See MoreECJ: Deduction of input VAT on pension fund management costs
In a Revenue and Customs Brief HMRC has set out its position on VAT on pension fund management costs. This follows decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the case of Fiscale Eenheid PPG Holdings BV regarding an employer's entitlement to
See MoreUK and Zambia sign a DTA
On 4 February 2014 the United Kingdom (UK) and Zambia signed a Double Taxation Agreement. The Agreement will replace the existing Double Taxation Agreement between the UK and Zambia which was signed in 1972. The new agreement generally follows the
See MoreSpanish capital gains tax rules found to be discriminatory by Supreme Court
In a decision on 25 October 2013 in the Brambles France case (appeal No 1374/2011), Spain's Supreme Court ruled that the capital gains tax on non-residents may be discriminatory in some cases. The case involved a French company that sold its shares
See MoreJersey ratifies TIEA with Slovenia
Jersey ratified the tax information exchange agreement (TIEA) with Slovenia on February 4, 2014. The law to ratify the TIEA signed between Jersey and Slovenia was tabled before Jersey's parliament for its approval on December 23, 2013. Jersey and
See MoreSlovenia initials US FATCA Agreement
On January 28 2014 Slovenia's Ministry of Finance announced that Slovenia and the United States have initialed the text of a bilateral inter-governmental agreement (IGA) for the implementation of the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA).
See MoreSingapore: DTA between Singapore and Austria enters into force
The Singapore tax authority announced on February 6, 2014, that the double tax agreement (DTA) signed between Singapore and Austria will enter into force on May 1,
See MoreSingapore: DTA between Poland and Singapore enters into force
The Singapore tax authority announced on 6 February 2014, that the double tax agreement (DTA) signed between Singapore and Poland applies from 6 February 2014 for the mutual agreement procedure and exchange of information provisions and from 1
See MoreRussia’s draft DTAs with Belgium and China
On 5 February 2014, Russia's draft Double Tax Avoidance Agreements with China and Belgium were tabled before Russia's Cabinet for its
See MoreRomania: Prime Minister considers tax breaks for reinvested profits
Romania's Prime Minister has said that he hopes to have details ready on a planned tax break on reinvested profits in time for the next International Monetary Fund (IMF) visit to the country in April. The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister
See MoreRomania: Foreign energy traders are now permitted to reclaim input VAT
The European Court of Justice has ruled that foreign energy traders in Romania are now permitted to reclaim input VAT incurred through the EU’s 8th Directive. This follows Romania’s withdrawal of the requirement for VAT registrations on
See MoreRevised DTA between Poland and Singapore in force
The revised version of the Singapore-Poland avoidance of double taxation agreement (DTA) entered into force on 6 February 2014. It was signed on 4 November 2012. Bottom of Form The revised DTA incorporates the internationally agreed standard for
See MorePortugal: Collection of Food Security Tax being enforced
The Portuguese Government is finally taking action to enforce payment of the country's food security tax from operators of large supermarket chains. Portugal's State Secretary for Food said that 107 cases are currently before the administrative and
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