US imposes tariffs on Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel From Germany, Japan, and Poland

17 July, 2014

The International Trade Administration (ITA) of the US Department of Commerce (DOC) has issued its affirmative final determinations on July 17, in the antidumping duty (AD) investigations of imports of grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) from

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Australia and Japan signed an agreement to promote economic relations

13 July, 2014

Australia and Japan signed an agreement to promote economic relations (EPA), in Canberra on 8 July 2014. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that, “this is the most liberalizing bilateral trade agreement and if it is fully

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Japan: Government approved the plan to cut corporate tax rate

02 July, 2014

Japans government approved the plan to cut corporate tax rate on June 24 which was among the highest in the world at above 35% to less than 30% over several years. Although decisions on how to offset revenue losses and other details were deferred,

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OECD: BEPS project update with developments of Asian countries

01 July, 2014

In order to stop tax avoidance and evasion Asian countries are actively taking part with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s plan. The OECD’s Action Plan is far reaching and will help support local Asian

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Japan: Planning to introduce B2B e-commerce tax

29 June, 2014

The Japanese International Taxation Discussion Group has suggested following methods for pick up “Consumption Tax” which are: Submission of VAT reverses charge so that the local Japanese Company reports the acquisition and supply in its

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Japan: Corporate tax rate will be lowered below 30%

28 June, 2014

Japan’s Prime Minister announced on 24 th June 2014, that the government will lower Japan's corporate tax rate from 35% to below 30 %. The Government targets to return to a principal fiscal balance in 2020. However the final corporate tax rate

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Japan: From 2015 Corporate Tax rate will decrease

15 June, 2014

From 2015, Japan's corporate tax rate will be reduced from its current rate 36% to below 30%. Corporate tax cuts will now form a major part of the Government's 2015 policy framework, which will concentrate on PM’s promised growth strategies. This

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Japan Takes Action on Some BEPS Items

25 May, 2014

Japan’s Cabinet Office Tax Commission has given its attention to four base erosion and profit sharing (BEPS) items, including the controversial Action 13 which relates to transfer pricing documentation. The other items under consideration by Japan

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Japan Planning Corporate Tax Cut Next Year

18 May, 2014

There are plans to lower the corporate tax rate following the work of the Tax Commission appointed by the Japanese government. The Commission suggested an eventual reduction of the corporate tax rate to around 25 percent, and the Deputy Economy

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Japan and the European Union Plan FTA By 2015

18 May, 2014

Japan and the EU are to conduct a one year review with the intention of concluding a free trade agreement. This proposed FTA will be an important part of plans to strengthen the economic relationship between the EU and Japan. The FTA is to deal with

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Japan – Possible BEPS-related implications under foreign dividend exclusion rule

11 May, 2014

In Japan the Cabinet Office has published a discussion paper setting out current tax issues for consultation. This paper concerns the developments in respect of base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) and the implications of the issues for the

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Japan – Corporate income tax rate reduction effective April 2014

27 April, 2014

Following the enactment of Japan’s 2014 tax reform a decrease of the effective corporate income tax rate is in force from April 2014. The fall in the effective tax rate is a result of the repeal of the special reconstruction surtax. This surtax

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Japanese Panel Looks For Gradual Corporate Tax Cuts

24 April, 2014

There has for some time been concern in Japan that the relatively high effective corporate tax rate is making the country less competitive. There has therefore been pressure for the rate to be lowered to a level more in line with those of other

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Japan and US Hold Talks On TPP

20 April, 2014

Talks were held between Japan and the US on 9 and 10 April 2014 to consider the remaining issues relating to the terms of the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. The main problems between the US and Japan concern Japan’s

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Japan: 2014 tax changes

07 April, 2014

Some changes to Japan’s tax law announced on 1 October 2013 were passed on 20 March 2014. The “attributed income principle” in respect of the profits of permanent establishment, as set out in the authorized OECD approach, will be adopted. The

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Japan: Increased focus on transfer pricing in tax audit

23 March, 2014

Transfer pricing audits in Japan are conducted separately from the general corporate tax audits, by a specialized transfer pricing audit team within the tax authority .The 2011 revision of the tax system in Japan included changes and clarifications

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China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Zone Negotiations

16 March, 2014

On March 4 2014 the fourth round of China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Zone negotiations was held in Seoul, Korea (ROK).  The chief negotiator and Assistant Minister of Commerce of China led a delegation to attend the negotiations. Delegations from Japan

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Japan: Confirms Consumption Tax Rate Changes by 2015

19 February, 2014

From April 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015, the rate of Japanese consumption tax will be increased from the current 5% rate to a higher 8% rate. The government is also considering a further increase from 8% to 10% from October 1, 2015. Also under

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