Netherlands 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 The requirement to appoint a VAT fiscal representative by non-resident taxable persons is withdrawn.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
See MoreFrance – Status of Transfer pricing proposals in the Draft Finance Bill for 2014
The French Senate rejected part 2 of the draft finance bill for 2014 on 16 December 2014. The bill is scheduled on 19 December 2013 for a final consideration. The draft bill changes the penalty provisions for those taxpayers who fall under article
See MoreNew Grand Coalition of Germany Ruled out Tax Rises
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has finally signed a coalition agreement with the Social Democrats (SPD), in which both parties pledge their commitment to no new debt or tax rises, as well as to
See MoreGermany: Enormous number of Voluntary Tax Declarations
The number of voluntary tax declarations received by the German tax authorities submitted by German residents so far this year is already more than doubles the 2012 total. It has been reported by the business newspaper Handelsblatt based on
See MoreFrance: Independent Worker Union Criticizes Corporate Land Tax Reform
The government of France proposed reform to the corporate land tax contribution (CFE) under the framework of the finance bill of 2014- PLF 2014. But the independent worker union UNAPL has strongly criticized the proposal. The PLF 2014 presents
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