Estonia Approves Draft Agreement to implement FATCA
On 23 January 2014, the government of Estonia approved a draft agreement to implement the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). According to a press release, the agreement is scheduled to be signed by the Estonian Tax and Customs
See MoreCzech Republic joins Convention and protocol on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters
The multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, as amended by the 2010 protocol, entered into force in respect of the Czech Republic on 1 February 2014. The Convention and the amending protocol generally apply in the
See MoreCroatia-Bill Ratifying Multilateral Tax Convention
The government of Croatia has sent a bill to parliament to ratify the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. This move forms part of the country's aims to fulfill its tax obligations on an international level. Croatia signed
See MoreBelgium increases quarterly VAT return threshold
The normal rule is that VAT returns are submitted on a monthly basis in Belgium. There is however a quarterly filing option for smaller businesses whose turnover is below a certain threshold. The annual turnover threshold for companies
See MoreMalta – Inclusion of the individual tax proposals in budget legislation
In Malta legislation has been presented to parliament to implement measures that were presented in the government’s budget for 2014. The proposed amendments include the introduction of a new tax bracket; the extension of the parental computation;
See MoreUnited Kingdom: Partnerships, tax policy
To inquire into the draft Finance Bill 2014 as published on 10 December 2013 the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee has established a Finance Bill sub-committee. The sub-committee will focus on two areas: The draft clauses relating to the
See MoreUnited Kingdom – New DTA with China effective
The Income Tax Treaty between China and the United Kingdom entered into force on 13 December 2013. The new tax treaty replaces the 1984 income tax treaty between the United Kingdom and China and is effective beginning 2014. The new treaty provides
See MoreUnited 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
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