Czech Republic: New Decree on Low Value Adding Services
The General Financial Directorate (D-10) has issued the new Decree related to Low Value Adding Services took into effect on January 1, 2013 and it will relief qualifying taxpayers from preparation of full-phase transfer pricing documentation and
See MoreUK: consultation on allowing the transfer of savings in child trust funds to junior ISAs
The UK government has published a consultation document in respect of allowing the transfer of savings from a Child Trust Fund to a junior Individual Savings Account (Junior ISA). Child trust funds were originally introduced in 2004 with the
See MoreUK: Double tax agreement with the Netherlands on bank taxes
The UK and the Netherlands signed a double tax convention on 12 June 2013 in respect of bank taxes. The taxes covered by the Convention are the UK bank levy under Schedule 19 FA 2011 and the tax charged under the Netherlands law on bank tax. The
See MoreRomania: Corporate tax rate remain unchanged
The Prime Minister of Romania has confirmed that the country’s 16 percent flat rate of corporation tax will be kept until 2016. The rate is being kept the same to provide investors with more stability and certainty in taking investment decisions
See MorePoland: Amendment on the Advance Pricing Agreements
Poland’s Ministry of Finance proposed changes on 11 June 2013 that might amend the provisions concerning advance pricing agreements (APAs) if sanctioned. Changes in the APA - Extended the scope of transactions to APAs by repealing current law
See MoreFrance: IGF recommends strengthening control of transfer pricing
The French tax authorities released a report on 11 June 2013 regarding recommendations aimed at strengthening existing transfer pricing rules applicable to international groups in France, to better combat tax optimization and avoidance by
See MoreECJ: Ruling on freedom of provision of services by banks
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on 6 June 2013 in Commission v Belgium (C-383/10) that Belgium had failed to fulfill its responsibilities under Article 5 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and Article 36 of the
See MoreECJ: Finland refers a question on VAT on electronic publications
The Supreme Administrative Court of Finland on 23 April 2013 asked for a ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in respect of the neutrality principle and its implications for the Finnish VAT on books in electronic form. The question put
See MoreUK: Amendments to the tax treaty passport scheme
The tax treaty passport scheme was introduced from September 2010 to allow a simplified clearance scheme for taxpayers applying for reduced rates of withholding tax on interest under a double tax treaty. An overseas corporate lender in a country
See MoreUK: offshore employment intermediaries
A consultation document has been issued by the UK government proposing measures to deal with issues arising from the use of offshore employers of workers based in the UK to avoid tax and national insurance contributions on wages. The consultation
See MoreUK: Consultation on loan relationships and derivative instruments
The original loan relationships rules issued by the UK government in the 1990s modernized the treatment of debt instruments by aligning the tax treatment more closely with the accounting treatment. However in the meantime the financial world has
See MoreSpain: New forms and procedures to submit CIT tax returns approved
The Ministry of Economy and Finance has approved by Order HAP/864/2013 of 14 May 2013, the new forms, procedures and the stipulated periods for submission of returns for the corporate income tax (CIT) and non-resident income tax returns for PEs and
See MoreSlovenia: VAT rates increased
Amendments and supplements to the Act on the implementation of the Budget for the years 2013 and 2014 (the Act) were published in the Official Gazette (Uradni List, No. 46/2013) of Slovenia On 29 May 2013 on June 5, 2013. The government of Slovenia
See MoreSlovenia: Modified Corporate Income Tax Law proposed
The Ministry of Finance on 20 May 2013 published a draft law on modifications to the taxation of companies. The proposal does not implement the previous plan of a further reduction in tax rates to 15 percent and instead proposes that the 17 percent
See MoreUK: Terms of Reference issued for GAAR advisory panel
The legislation in respect of the General Anti Abuse Rule (GAAR) in the Finance Bill 2013 provides for the appointment of a GAAR advisory panel. The panel is to consider and approve HMRC’s guidance on the GAAR. It is also required to consider
See MoreUK: Strengthening the code of practice on taxation for banks
The HMRC released a consultation document on 31 May 2013 in respect of amendments to the code of practice on taxation for banks. Comments on the proposed changes are invited by 16 August 2013. The provisions of the code cover the required practices
See MoreUK: HMRC guidance the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme
The HMRC published a series of answers on 28 May 2013 to frequently asked questions about the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (Seed EIS). The scheme has been applicable in respect of shares issued after 6 April 2012. The Seed EIS was set up to
See MoreUK: Consultation on the VAT treatment of refunds by manufacturers
The UK issued a consultation paper on 31 May 2013 in respect of the value added tax (VAT) treatment of refunds paid directly by manufacturers to consumers. The current UK VAT law permits a business that is in a direct relationship with a customer to
See More