OECD: Tax trends in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines

31 August, 2015

The latest OECD publication on revenue statistics in Asian countries looks at trends in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines from 1990 to 2013 and compares them to two OECD countries (Korea and Japan). The study finds that the tax revenue as a

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FATCA Agreement Signed between United States and Philippines

22 July, 2015

The Philippines and the United States have signed a Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) agreement on 13 July 2015. This is a Model 1 Agreement. Under this reciprocal agreement, the Philippines will report the information required under FATCA

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Philippines: IMF comments on economic and fiscal policy

26 May, 2015

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a statement at the conclusion of its discussions with the Philippines under Article IV of its articles of association. The economic outlook is favorable in spite of weaker global growth. Real GDP is

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EFTA- Philippines: First FTA Negotiations held

30 March, 2015

The FTA (free trade agreement) negotiation (first round) between Philippines and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland was held on 24 to 27 March in Philippines and the second round negotiation is

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Philippines Updates Withholding Tax Guidance

13 March, 2015

The Department of Finance has released updated guidance on withholding tax - Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 2-2015. The regulation amends previous rules regarding the process of submitting withholding tax forms to the Bureau of Internal Revenue

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Philippines: Personal income tax reforms

13 January, 2015

The Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) has raised a concern to revamp the Personal Income tax threshold and tax brackets. To ensure secure revenue collection levels, TMAP has recommended a raise on Personal Income Tax (PIT) exempt

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Philippines: Reduces the corporate income tax rate

27 September, 2014

The Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means filed House Bill 4829 looking for to reduce the corporate income tax (CIT) rate from 30% to 25%. The same bill also includes a proposal to increase the minimum corporate income tax (MCIT) rate

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Philippines: BIR strengthens control over large taxpayers

21 July, 2014

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has strengthened its monitoring of the country’s large taxpayers, particularly on the value-added tax (VAT). BIR’s collections of first half of this year reached PHP643.2bn (USD14.8bn), which is more than

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Philippines- to issue Advance Pricing Agreement (“APA”) procedures

03 June, 2014

First APA procedures to be released by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (“BIR”) in the Philippines. In order to meet the criteria for tax collection targets, the BIR is making considerable resources available in order to develop transfer pricing

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Philippines May Exempt Humanitarian Relief from VAT

27 April, 2014

Bill 4054 in the Philippines would provide for a VAT exemption for medical and educational goods that are imported into the country as a result of donations from abroad, and would also introduce a similar VAT exemption for goods donated from abroad

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Treaty between Iraq and Philippines authorization for signature by Iraq

25 April, 2014

On 22 April 2014, Iraq authorized the Minister of Finance to commence negotiations for the conclusion of a double tax treaty with the

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Philippines Legislates To Cut Back Income Tax Relief

27 March, 2014

In the Philippines there is some concern in the Department of Finance (DOF) that tax relief is being granted to applicants without sufficient consideration of their entitlement. The Department is therefore keen for legislation to be passed to

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Philippines achieves Higher Tax Ratio In 2013

23 March, 2014

The fiscal deficit in the Philippines decreased in 2013 as there was a rise in the tax to GDP ratio in that year. The ratio of tax to GDP increased by 0.4 percent as compared to the previous year and reached a ratio of

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Philippines improves tax collection from large businesses

16 March, 2014

The Large Taxpayers Service (LTS) of the Philippines' Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has begun the 2014 tax season by praising corporate taxpayers for their contribution to the growth in collected revenue. In 2013 the LTS improved its 2013 revenue

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Treaty between Philippines and Nigeria

09 March, 2014

The 1997 double taxation treaty between the Philippines and Nigeria entered into force on 18 August 2013 and applies as from 1 January 2014. A 12.5% maximum withholding tax applies to dividends paid to a company (other than a partnership) that holds

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Treaty between Philippines and Kuwait

09 March, 2014

The 2009 double taxation treaty between the Philippines and Kuwait entered into force on 22 April 2013 and applies as from 1 January 2014. A 10% maximum withholding tax applies to dividends paid to a company (other than a partnership) that holds

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Philippines: Congress to prioritize bill raising tax exemption cap on 13th-month pay

09 March, 2014

Despite objection from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Congress will prioritize the passage of the bill raising the tax exemption cap on 13th-month pay, Christmas bonus and other work benefits. Congress leaders have agreed to give "urgent

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Philippines: Importers Require Tax Authority Accreditation

23 February, 2014

The Philippines' Department of Finance has issued a department order requiring all importers to be accredited by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) before they can obtain an import permit from the Bureau of Customs (BOC). This measures aims to

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