Germany, Switzerland renew changes to tax treaty arbitration agreement
The German Ministry of Finance announced a new agreement on 28 March 2025 with Switzerland that permanently extends the 2019 amendments to the 2016 mutual agreement concerning arbitration procedures under the 1971 tax treaty between the two
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Germany releases 2025 CRS reporting list with new jurisdictions
The German Federal Central Tax Office has published a provisional list of jurisdictions for the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) financial account information exchange for 2025 on 26 March 2025. . This list covers jurisdictions that will
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Germany: Ministry of Finance clarifies application of CbC reporting for transparent partnerships
Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance published a letter on 3 April 2025 addressing how Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting applies to tax-transparent partnerships, including their treatment under the Transitional CbCR Safe Harbour for Pillar
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Germany mandates transaction matrix transfer pricing documentation requirement
Germany’s Ministry of Finance released a decree outlining the requirements for the “transaction matrix,” a new component of transfer pricing documentation under section 90(3) of the Fiscal Code (AO) on 2 April 2024. The transaction matrix
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Germany introduces revised rules for interest deduction limitations
The German Ministry of Finance has released updated guidelines on the interest deduction limits, known as the "interest barrier." on 24 March 2025. These changes follow amendments made by the Secondary Credit Market Promotion Act to Sections 4h
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Switzerland: Parliament approves amending protocol to tax treaty with Germany
The Swiss parliament granted final approval to the amending protocol to the 1971 income and capital tax treaty with Germany on 21 March 2025. The protocol complies with BEPS standards and introduces additional provisions to clarify how national
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Germany updates guidance on VAT rules for small businesses
The German Ministry of Finance has updated its guidance on special VAT rules for small businesses on 18 March 2025. These changes follow the approval, in December 2024, of the increase in VAT exemption thresholds to take effect from 1 January
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Germany updates group parent notification form for Pillar Two minimum tax groups
The German Ministry of Finance released a letter on 11 March 2025, introducing an updated official template and instructions for the group parent notification form. This form is required to be submitted by the parent entity of German minimum tax
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Germany updates CbC Report exchange list, adds four new jurisdictions
The German Official Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) No. 64 published the Seventh Regulation Amending the Country-by-Country (CbC) Report Extension Regulation on 11 March 2025. This update revises the list of jurisdictions participating in the
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Germany, Montenegro finalise tax treaty negotiations
Germany and Montenegro finalised negotiations by initialling an income and capital tax treaty on 10 February 2025. Earlier, First round of discussions regarding an income and capital tax treaty between Germany and Montenegro concluded in
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Germany releases income tax decree on crypto assets, expanding guidance on filing and reporting
The German Ministry of Finance (MOF) released an updated decree on the income tax treatment of crypto assets on 6 March 2025, replacing the previous version from May 2022. A crypto-asset is the digital representation of a value or of a right that
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Switzerland: National Council approves tax treaties with Angola and Jordan, amending protocols with Germany and Hungary
The Swiss National Council (Nationalrat) approved the ratification of income tax treaties with Angola, Jordan, and amending protocols with Germany, and Hungary on 5 March 2025. The tax treaty with Angola was signed on 30 November 2023. The treaty
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Germany updates tax haven defense ordinance, removes five jurisdictions
Germany published the Third Ordinance amending the Tax Haven Defense Ordinance in the Official Gazette on 30 December 2024. The amendments reflect the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council's 2024 decisions to remove Antigua and Barbuda, the
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Germany updates tax treaties and agreements
The German Ministry of Finance has released an updated overview of its tax treaties and agreements as of 1 January 2025. The document outlines ongoing negotiations, newly initiated agreements, and amendments to existing treaties. Germany is
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Germany: Local packaging tax upheld in Tübingen
Germany's Federal Constitutional Court rejected a constitutional complaint against Tübingen’s local packaging tax on 22 January 2025. Since 1 January 2022, Tübingen has imposed a tax on non-reusable packaging, dishware, and cutlery used for
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Belarus suspends tax treaty with Germany
Belarus Ministry of Taxes and Duties, in a notice, confirmed that it has suspended the 2005 tax treaty between Belarus and Germany, effective from 1 January 2025. This follows after Germany’s Federal Government notified Belarus, on 30 December
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Germany details incentives for energy-efficient building renovations
Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) has updated its letter on 23 December 2024 regarding tax relief for energy-related measures in residential buildings to include a uniform certificate for all eligible measures. The German Income Tax
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Germany: Federal Council approves Non-Cooperative Tax Jurisdictions List
The German Federal Council (Bundesrat) approved an updated decree listing states and territories considered non-cooperative in addressing tax avoidance and unfair tax competition on 20 December 2024. The list aligns with the one published in the
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