Luxembourg publishes Circular on Minimum Corporate Income Tax (MCIT)
The Luxembourg tax authority published a circular L.I.R. no. 174/1 on 1 August 2013. This relates to the Minimum Corporate Income Tax (MCIT). The most significant parts of the circular are given below: Luxembourg permanent establishments are not
See MoreRomania: Reduced VAT for bakery products
A change in the VAT rate in respect of bakery products is contained in Government Ordinance no. 16/2013 which was published in the official journal (no. 490, 2 August 2013). The reduced value added tax (VAT) rate of 9% will apply to the supply of
See MoreUK: Published draft guidance on DOTAS regime confidentiality hallmark
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) the UK tax authority published draft guidance on 21 August 2013 to accompany the present consultation on the confidentiality hallmark about the disclosure of tax avoidance schemes (DOTAS) regime. The guidance will
See MoreUK: Statistics for Research and Development Tax Relief
The HMRC published the statistics on 15 August 2013 for the uptake of the research and development tax relief in the UK. This tax relief allows an enhanced tax deduction for expenditure on research and development. In the case of large companies
See MoreUkraine and Malta to sign double tax convention
The governments of Ukraine and Malta are intending sign a convention on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion. It approved by Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers on July 24, 2013. Under the draft convention, the withholding
See MoreUK has removed the VAT exemption for business supplies of research
With effect from 1 August 2013 the UK has removed the exemption from value added tax (VAT) for business supplies of research between eligible bodies. Business research for this purpose is defined as research that is provided in return for
See MoreUK: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) revises SDLT group relief regulations
The UK tax authority HMRC has introduced a clarification confirming that intra-group transactions are eligible for group relief related to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). The declaration follows a meeting by HMRC with representative bodies concerning
See MoreUK: Consultation on measures to combat artificial tax avoidance
The UK has published a consultation document entitled “Raising the Stakes on Tax Avoidance”. Comments are invited from interested parties on further measures to discourage the propagation of artificial tax avoidance schemes. The closing date
See MoreUK: consultation on tax free childcare
In the 2013 Budget measures the UK announced the introduction of tax free childcare for working families. The objective of the scheme would be to give the equivalent of basic rate tax relief for the costs of childcare. A consultation document has
See MoreMalta and Turkey DTA entered into force
The Income Tax Treaty (2011) between Malta and Turkey for the avoidance of double taxation entered into force on 13 June 2013. The treaty generally applies from 1 January 2014. OECD Model Tax Treaty is broadly followed in this
See MorePoland: Parliament rejects proposal for tax relief
The parliament of Poland voted against the proposal of changes in the Law on Freedom of Establishment exempting start-up entrepreneurs from the obligation to pay income tax and social security contributions on 12 July
See MoreHungary: amendment to transfer pricing documentation rules
The Ministry of Finance of Hungary issued an amendment of Decree No. 22/2009 related to transfer pricing documentation requirements. The amendment effectively increases the validity of an APA to 6 years. Under the new rules taxpayers recharging the
See MoreFinland: Budget proposal for 2014
On 8 August 2013, the Finnish Ministry of Finance published its Budget proposals for 2014. All the proposals will be discussed by the government on 28-29 August 2013 before the final set of proposals is presented to parliament in September 2013. If
See MoreECJ: Referral in respect of vendor reclassified as taxable person
The Romanian Court of Appeal has referred a question to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in respect of a supply of immovable property by a vendor who was later reclassified as a taxable person. The questions relate to the taxable amount of the
See MoreECJ: Advocate General issues an opinion in a case concerning discounts given by a travel agent
The Advocate General of the ECJ has given an opinion in the case of Finanzamt Düsseldorf-Mitte v Ibero Tours GmBH. This case involves the supply of travel services by a German travel agency which is acting as an intermediary. In respect of a second
See MoreRomania: Late payment penalty provision
Government Emergency Ordinance no. 50/2013 regarding certain fiscal measures has been published in the Official Gazette of Romania (Part I, no. 320/2013). The Fiscal Procedure Code enforces a new regime in relation to penalties imposed for tax debts
See MoreProtocol to DTA between Austria and Canada signed
A second protocol to the Austria –Canada Income Tax Treaty which was signed on 1 March 2012 will enter into force on 1 October 2013. The protocol contains provisions for the exchange of tax information and will have effect in accordance with the
See MorePortugal: New VAT e-invoice requirements
After the execution of the second EU VAT Invoice Directive in Portugal from the beginning of 2013, the tax office of Portugal has issued another new ruling on the technical obligations for e-invoices. This ruling covers: • Control over the
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