Switzerland signs new DTA with Argentina
Switzerland and Argentina have signed a new double taxation agreement (DTA). When it enters into force this agreement will replace the provisional agreement signed in 1997. The agreement contains provisions relating to the exchange of information
See MoreSwitzerland Plans Stricter Rules for Biofuel Tax Breaks
The Swiss Council of States has given its approval to a bill strengthening the provisions on the eligibility of enterprises for biofuel tax breaks. Biofuels may be partly or wholly exempt from mineral oil tax provided that they conform to certain
See MoreSwitzerland Adopts Anti-Tax Evasion Bill
The Swiss Council of States has approved a Bill in respect of the revised recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The Bill raises the qualifying threshold for serious tax offences and therefore helps the fight against tax evasion.
See MoreSwiss Parliament rejects French IHT agreement
The Swiss Council of States has not accepted the text of a revised inheritance tax (IHT) agreement with France and has instead suggested that it should be renegotiated. Switzerland had asked for a renegotiation after France had communicated its
See MoreRussia: treaty between Russia and Italy clarified by the Ministry of Finance
Letter No. 03-08-РЗ/10213 published by the Russian Finance Ministry explains the position with respect to dividends paid by Russian companies to Italian parent companies. The participation exemption is available if the parent company meets a 365
See MoreRussia Clarifies transfer pricing for Domestic Transactions
Letter No 03-01-18/2080 issued by the Russian Finance Ministry on 22 January 2014 clarifies that some domestic transactions are to be subject to the transfer pricing rules as they are deemed to be controlled transactions for this purpose. These
See MoreUkraine – VAT bonds introduced by the parliament
Ukraine has passed a new measure to clarify the procedure for obtaining VAT refunds through VAT bonds (Law No 4575). The new law clarifies that VAT bonds will cover refunds claimed before 1 January 2014 but these bonds are only available in respect
See MoreEuropean law used in Turkish transfer pricing case
Turkey has taken a step towards improving the rights of taxpayers by implementing a decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in a transfer pricing ruling. The transfer pricing case involved allegations by the tax administration that a
See MoreSwitzerland – Peru DTA
The double taxation agreement (DTA) between Switzerland and Peru which was originally signed on 12 September 2012 entered into force on March 10, 2014. The agreement raises the standard of tax information exchange between the two countries to the
See MoreSwitzerland – Kazakhstan DTA Protocol
On March 25, 2014 Switzerland confirmed that the protocol to the double taxation agreement (DTA) with Kazakhstan has entered into force. The protocol amends the DTA to provide for the exchange of tax information between the countries. The exchange
See MoreRussia Plans Crimean Special Economic Zone
Russia has confirmed that the process of making the Crimea a part of Russia is likely to require amendments to the tax system and this may involve the provision of temporary tax incentives for companies located in the Crimea. Other changes would
See MoreRussia: Condition related to Financial Services
According to the transfer pricing rules, interest that is not disallowed may be subject to the thin capitalization provisions. Certain specialized provisions may apply where one of the parties to a transaction is a
See MoreSwiss Parliament Passes Media Tax
Switzerland has introduced a new media tax which replaces the license fee previously charged in respect of radio and television. This is charged on large companies and households whose annual income or turnover exceeds EUR 500,000. The introduction
See MoreRussia – Investment in Russian SEZs Increases in 2013
The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) set up by Russia attracted an increased amount of investment in 2013, totalling RUB 30.2 billion in the year. Revenues of RUB 50 billion were earned in the zones, and 3,145 new jobs were created. The Russian
See MoreEU- To Cut Tariffs On Ukrainian Exports
The European Union (EU) is to temporarily cut tariffs on Ukrainian exports until November 1, 2014. The EU has announced that it hopes in the meantime to sign the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) agreement with Ukraine. The College of
See MoreBrazil and Norway Sign Protocol to DTA
Brazil and Norway signed a Protocol to their double tax agreement on February 20, 2014. No further details are currently
See MoreUS: DTA Protocols between the United States and various countries
The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations held talks on February 26, 2014, on the double taxation agreement (DTA) Protocols between the United States and Switzerland and Luxembourg, and DTAs with Hungary and Chile, as part of the nation's
See MoreSwitzerland urged to approve IHT agreement with France
The French Finance Minister has informed Switzerland that France will not renegotiate the revised inheritance tax (IHT) agreement the two countries have drafted if it is rejected by Swiss lawmakers. The revised Franco-Swiss IHT accord was signed in
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