Japan and the European Union Plan FTA By 2015
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
See MoreJapan – Possible BEPS-related implications under foreign dividend exclusion rule
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
See MoreJapan – Corporate income tax rate reduction effective 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
See MoreJapanese Panel Looks For Gradual Corporate Tax Cuts
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
See MoreJapan and US Hold Talks On TPP
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
See MoreJapan: 2014 tax changes
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
See MoreJapan: Increased focus on transfer pricing in tax audit
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
See MoreChina-Japan-ROK Free Trade Zone Negotiations
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
See MoreJapan: Confirms Consumption Tax Rate Changes by 2015
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
See MoreSweden: Protocol to DTA with Japan signed
The Policy Research Institute of Japan's Finance Ministry confirmed on December 5, 2013 that the governments of Japan and Sweden have signed a Protocol amending the current tax treaty. The main changes are: expansion of the scope of exemption of
See MoreJapan Studies Corporate Tax Rate Cut for Growth Strategy
Japan's Prime Minister is looking again at lower corporate taxes to provide a new impetus to growth in the economy. The Finance Minister has however again cast doubt on whether such a policy is viable at the present time. In a meeting of the
See MoreJapan- Main corporate income tax rate
A reconstruction surcharge of 2.55% applied in 2013 but does not apply after 1 April 2014.The effective corporate tax rate taking into account the local enterprise tax and local inhabitant tax will therefore be reduced to 35.64% (previously 38.01%)
See MoreJapan-Oman: Sign DTA
Japan has signed a Double Taxation Agreement (DTAA) with Oman on 09 January 2014. The agreement provides a 10% withholding rate on dividends (5% with a 10% shareholding), interest and royalties in the source
See MoreTreaty between New Zealand and Japan entered into force
The double tax agreement (DTA) signed between New Zealand and Japan on December 10, 2012, will become effective in New Zealand, for withholding taxes from January 1, 2014, and for income taxes for income years beginning on or after April 1, 2014.
See MoreProtocol to treaty between Belgium and Japan
For the entry into force of the Protocol amending the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between Japan and Belgium, mutual notification procedures were completed on 27 November 2013. The Protocol will enter into force on December 27, and in the case of
See MoreJapan – Signing of the Protocol Amending Tax Convention with the United Kingdom
Japan and the United Kingdom Signing of the Protocol Amending Tax Convention with the United Kingdom on 17 December 2013 which amending the current income tax treaty between the two countries. Before it enters into force the Protocol must be
See MoreJapan – Tax reform proposals for 2014
Recently, Governments of Japan agreed on “outline” of tax reform proposals for 2014. On 12 December 2013 among the tax measures in the tax reform plan affecting corporations are provisions that would: • Decrease the current corporate tax rate
See MoreJapan – Early repeal of special reconstruction corporation tax
The Japanese government has announced an economic stimulus package that includes a statement that “special reconstruction corporation tax (i.e., a 10% additional tax imposed on corporation tax liability) would be repealed a year earlier than
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