EU: FTA with Peru and Colombia
A free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU, Peru and Colombia signed on 26 June 2013.The agreement will enter into force after ratification procedures are completed. The agreement introduces technical and procedural obstacles to trade. The
See MoreEU: FTA between Colombia and EU entered into force
The European Commission announced on 26 July 2013 that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and Colombia will enter into force on 1 August 2013. This agreement was signed on 26 June
See MoreEU: Regulation on Customs enforcement of intellectual property rights
The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (EU) on 18 July 2013 published a Regulation (EU No 608/2013) on customs enforcement of intellectual property rights. The situations where the regulation is particularly relevant are as
See MoreEU: Countering “carousel” VAT fraud
The Council of the European Commission affirmed on 22 July 2013 that the appropriation of measures to empower EU Member States to address VAT fraud, with directive provisions that take into account fast response and in addition a particular measure
See MoreCzech Republic: Flood-related tax relief and proposed payroll tax changes
New tax measures in the Czech Republic provide tax relief to flood damage and introduce a new payroll tax regime. The Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic is providing tax relief to companies and individuals affected by floods this year. The
See MoreCroatia: New excise duty imposed on energy products
Croatia has recently passed a number of new laws and regulations in connection with its entry to the European Union (EU). On 23 July 2013, the Ordinance regulating excise duty on energy products entered into force in Croatia. With its entry to the
See MoreBelgium: No credit for withholding tax on dividends
Belgium has affirmed that 25% withholding tax imposed on dividends if those dividends are received by Belgian investment companies would no longer be creditable and refundable. This would implement a decision of the European Court of Justice and
See MoreBelgium: Approval of “Fairness tax” on corporations
The tax measures under the budget control proposals previously announced by the Belgian government were adopted on 18 July 2013 by Parliament.The new “fairness tax” is included in the measures. Imposition rate of the fairness tax will be 5.15%
See MoreAustria: From July 2013 Amendments’ to Limited Liability Company Act
Austria has passed an amendment to the Limited Liability Companies Act from 1st July 2013 with the aim of reducing the costs connected with setting up an Austrian limited liability company. A new provision has also been introduced into the
See MoreUK: exploration of FTT recommended by MPs
It has been recommended by a UK Parliamentary Committee to consider the “feasibility, benefits and risks” of a Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) on High Frequency Trading (HFT), despite the Government’s strong opposition to such a tax within the
See MoreUK: Temporary Non-Residence Regulations 2013
A new statutory instrument SI 2013/1810 has been issued by the UK Government in relation to the temporary Non-Residents (Miscellaneous Amendments). The Government announced its intention to introduce a Statutory Residence Test from 6 April 2013 in
See MoreUK: Regulations for Annual tax on enveloped dwellings
A new statutory instrument named SI 2013/1844 has been issued by HMRC regarding the Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (Returns) 2013. This regulation will come into force on 12 August 2013. Finance Act 2013 introduced an annual tax on enveloped
See MoreUK: HMRC guidance on creative industry tax relief
HMRC has issued guidance on access to the creative industry tax relief. In addition to Film Tax Relief introduced in 2007 the UK has now introduced tax relief for animation and high end television with effect from 1 April 2013. Tax relief for video
See MoreUK: Finance Act 2013 receives the Royal Assent
The 2013 Finance Act became law on 17 July 2013. The main provisions include a reduction of the corporate tax rate from 22% to 21% in 2014/15 and to 20% in 2015/16. The Act also includes the legislation introducing the General Anti Abuse Rule
See MorePoland: Amendments on transfer pricing guidelines come into force
The amendment of the Transfer Pricing Ordinance was published in the Official Journal No. 768/2013 on 3 July 2013, in a decree of Poland’s Ministry of Finance.The decree implements the provisions of the 2010 OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for
See MoreNew Tax Treaty between China and Netherlands
The People’s Republic of China and the Netherlands signed a new tax treaty on 31 March 2013, which is expected to replace the current tax treaty of 1987. Under the new treaty, a building site, or construction, assembly or installation project or
See MoreNetherlands: Guidance on application of bonus deprecation rules (2013)
The Dutch tax authorities have given a clarification and cases showing examples of the new rules on “free depreciation” (or bonus depreciation) for businesses making new investments between 1 July and 31 December
See MoreTax treaty signed between Malta and Macau
The governments of Malta and Macau recently signed an agreement to work together to prevent tax evasion and tax avoidance. Macau is a part of the People’s Republic of China but operates as a separate jurisdiction for some purposes. It is expected
See More