FIC denies ignoring SME Bank looting
THE director of the Financial Intelligence Centre, Leonie Dunn, says the centre did not turn a blind eye to the disappearance of around N$350 million from the now-defunct SME Bank. ... - Continue reading
Category: Tax Laws
Tax reform: Could Ukraine do it like Costa Rica?
In 2016, Costa Rica’s economy grew at a good 4.2% of GDP, but this year this figure is comparable to Ukrainian tortoise runs (we have 2.7% they have 2.9%). The success recipes of highly developed countries are in many cases not applicable to low-income countries such as Ukraine. Therefore, it… – Continue reading
Tax from non-doms falls by £2bn as wealthy flee the UK
The number of wealthy residents who pay no UK tax on their offshore accounts has fallen to its lowest level ever, Treasury figures reveal. Last year, there were 78,300 non-domiciled taxpayers, or “non-doms”, in the UK compared with 98,500 in 2016-17. And the £9.5bn they paid to the taxman in… – Continue reading
Uber looks to the Netherlands to reduce its tax bill by $6,1bn
Uber is moving its intellectual property arm from Bermuda to the Netherlands to save $6.1bn from its tax bid, Bloomberg reported on Friday. ... - Continue reading
Bulgaria: Bulgaria Amends VAT Legislation; Changes Affect A Wide Range Of Sectors
The VAT rate in Bulgaria has remained unchanged at 20% for many consecutive years. Recently, there has been a lot of debates on the future possibility of amending the VAT rate for certain food products as well as medicines and books to a rate somewhere in the range between 3% and 5%. ... - Continue reading
FBR collects Rs1bln in revenue from foreign fund transfers
KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) collected one billion rupees in withholding tax revenue on funds transferred abroad through credit and debit cards in a year, official statistics showed. The government opened the avenue for revenue collection a year ago considering the growing trend of payment through plastic cards…. – Continue reading
Australia publishes synthesized text of tax treaties with France, Finland, Malta as altered by MLI
The Australian government on August 9 published the synthesized texts of Australia’s bilateral tax treaties with France, Finland, and Malta as modified by the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI). ... - Continue reading
Armenia, Kyrgyzstan sign double tax treaty
Armenia and Kyrgyzstan have signed a double tax treaty during the Eurasian Inter-governmental Council session in Cholpan-Ata, Issyk-Kul. ... - Continue reading
European Union: EU Directive On Administrative Cooperation (DAC6)
The European Union has added further impetus to its objective of enhancing transparency against harmful tax practices with the amendment to Directive 2011/16/EU, commonly referred to as DAC6. ... - Continue reading
Israel: Implications Of The New Updated Form 1385 – Declaration Of International Transactions Between Related Parties
In early July, the Israeli Tax Authority (ITA) issued an update to Form 1385 - "Declaration of International Transaction.” ... - Continue reading
New Zealand-Swiss tax agreement tightens net on avoidance
WELLINGTON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) — Opportunities to dodge tax are shrinking with the completion of a new tax agreement between New Zealand and Switzerland, New Zealand’s Revenue Minister Stuart Nash said on Thursday. Nash and Swiss Ambassador to New Zealand David Vogelsanger signed documents to update the Double Tax Agreement… – Continue reading
Minister’s proposal of corporate tax reforms causes strong reaction from Cyprus business community
NICOSIA, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) — Cypriot Finance Minister Harris Georgiades’ proposal of a major reform of corporate taxation has triggered strong objections from entrepreneurs, who fear that it would lead to an increase of their total tax burden. Georgiades said on Wednesday that his proposal, which included taxation on offshore… – Continue reading
BEPS multilateral tax treaty to enter into force for Ukraine
Ukraine today deposited with the OECD legal documents ratifying a multilateral tax treaty called the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI). ... - Continue reading
More tax revenues from POGOs seen
Other service providers of offshore gaming industry are expected to remit the monthly withholding taxes of foreign workers to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on or before August 10. ... - Continue reading
China issues overall plan for new area of Shanghai FTZ
BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) — China’s State Council, or the cabinet, has issued an overall plan for the new Lingang area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. The new area will be set up to the south of Dazhi River, east of Jinhui Port, and south of Xiaoyangshan… – Continue reading
Mauritius leaks latest reminder of how much we lose to tax havens
Mauritius leaks latest reminder of how much we lose to tax havensA report by Canadians for Tax Fairness Bay Street and Tax Havens revealed how over 90% of Canada’s largest corporations have subsidiaries in tax havens. Ottawa (06 Aug. 2019) — Last month Canadians for Tax Fairness reported that, while… – Continue reading
Cyprus: Permanent Residence Permit
The Law Firm of G. Vrikis & Associates LLC has been representing numerous clients in their application for Permanent Residence Permits in Cyprus. The below is a brief outline of the key provisions and documentation required for such an application to proceed further. ... - Continue reading
Income tax department refutes harassment allegations
Industry leaders Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Mohandas Pai have made allegations of harassment by income tax dept officials ... - Continue reading
Argentina: The OECD Guidelines For Multinational Companies And The Specific Instance
For over 20 years the Argentine Republic has adhered to the "OECD Guidelines for Multinational Companies" ("Guidelines"), through the "Declaration on International Investments and Multinational Companies" of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ("OECD"). ... - Continue reading
First 18 months crucial for tax reforms — Dominguez
On the sidelines of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s anniversary celebration, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III emphasized that the first 18 months of the current Congress is crucial for the Duterte administration’s comprehensive tax reform program (CTRP). According to Dominguez, lawmakers traditionally have the tendency to focus “on something… – Continue reading
MLI amendments to Singapore-Luxembourg tax treaty enter into effect
The government of Singapore has announced that amendments made to the Singapore-Luxembourg tax treaty as a result of the two countries’ ratification of the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI) entered into effect on August 1. ... - Continue reading
The latest APA and MAP figures in Europe: what are the implications for multinational group taxpayers?
Statistics published earlier this week by the European Commission on member state advance pricing agreement (APA) and mutual agreement procedure (MAP) programs suggest that the OECD/G20 base erosion profit shifting (BEPS) project has increased the scope for differences of opinion between tax authorities of different countries. ... - Continue reading
Hong Kong: A Guide To Tax Regulations In Hong Kong 2019 – 2020
While considering moving a business into a new market, one of the key consideration is that country's tax regime. What are the incentives that would attract foreign investment? Are there any double tax treaties in place? What is the rate for corporate tax? ... - Continue reading
HMRC win £450m tax avoidance scheme as football stars and celebrities lose out
The scheme had received investments from the likes of Ant and Dec, David Beckham and Celtic duo Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell. ... - Continue reading
Union Budget 2019: key tax highlights
This article highlights some of the key tax-related amendments introduced by the budget. ... - Continue reading
South Africa: International Tax: Proposed Amendments
The latest proposed amendments will see, inter alia, some relief for taxpayers in relation to the Controlled Foreign Company ("CFC") rules and the scope of an "Affected Transaction" as defined in section 31 of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 ("the Act") to be extended. ... - Continue reading
Taxation of gifts to non-residents: A word of caution
The proposal intends to tax gift of money exceeding ₹50,000 made by residents to non-residents that were earlier claimed to be outside the ambit of India taxation ... - Continue reading
Tighten scrutiny of tax exemption claims on farm income: CAG to I-T Departement
The CAG report also flagged the issue of abuse of tax exemption granted to charitable trusts and institutions ... - Continue reading
Money gifts to NRIs are taxable from July 5, 2019, property gift tax rules unchanged
With the passing of Finance Bill 2019, NRIs will have to disclose such gifts received and pay tax on it as per the tax rules applicable ... - Continue reading
UAE country-by-country reporting rules published
The UAE Ministry of Finance on 30 April issued new tax rules setting out country-by-country reporting compliance obligations for multinational corporation groups effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2019. ... - Continue reading
Cyprus: Country Update-Cyprus: AML
The financial services and international business sector in Cyprus is one of the vital pillars of the Cyprus economy. That said, Cyprus aims to be in full compliance with the AML European framework, and in this respect constantly implements changes in its local laws to align with EU Directives and Regulations. ... - Continue reading
Mauritius leaks: Big firms leveraging legal loopholes to save taxes can cost developing countries $100 bn every year
Proposals made by Nirmala Sitharaman at G20 Summit could alter the stasis between large corporations and tax havens. ... - Continue reading
How a small tax-paying elite funds the Indian state
The top 1% individual taxpayers contribute nearly one-third of India’s taxes, while the top 5% contribute nearly two-thirds of all the taxes collected ... - Continue reading
Denmark must adopt EU controlled foreign company tax rules, Commission says
The EU Commission on July 25 decided to send a reasoned opinion to Denmark for its failure to communicate to Commission rules implementing controlled foreign company (CFC) rules required by the EU anti-tax avoidance directive (Council Directive (EU) 2016/1164 or ATAD). ... - Continue reading
Multilateral tax treaty to enter into force for Norway
The OECD today announced that Norway has deposited its instrument ratifying the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI). ... - Continue reading
Hong Kong provides guidance on transfer pricing rules and documentation requirements
The Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department (IRD) on 19 July published Departmental Interpretation and Practice Notes (DIPNs) Nos. 58, 59, and 60, and an updated version of DIPN No. 28. ... - Continue reading
United States: Anti-Money Laundering And Sanctions: Trends And Developments Emerging Under The Trump Administration
Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) and sanctions matters continue to be a core focus of regulators, law enforcement agencies, policymakers and Congress, and the story of the Obama and Trump Administrations on AML and sanctions is one of general continuity. ... - Continue reading
China: Analysis On The Application Of Articles 7(6) And 7(7) Of The Multilateral Instrument To The Covered Tax Agreements
Article 7 – Prevention of Treaty Abuse – of the Multilateral Instrument (the MLI) contains three opt-in provisions. ... - Continue reading
Vietnam’s Tax Administration Law Reform to Take Effect in July 2020
In June, Vietnam’s National Assembly approved a new Law on Tax Administration 38/2019/QH14. Under the new law, tax authorities have been granted additional enforcement powers. At the same time, the new law has made it a little bit easier for both individuals and entities to file taxes. ... - Continue reading
Guernsey: Guernsey Plays Its Part In OECD Success Against Tax Evasion
Guernsey Finance Chief Executive Dominic Wheatley reflects on the findings of the latest OECD tax report to world leaders. ... - Continue reading
US-Dominican Republic FATCA agreement enters into force
The US Treasury has announced on its website that the US-Dominican Republic Model 1 FATCA intergovernmental agreement (IGA) entered into force as of July 17, 2019. ... - Continue reading
Progress Being Made On Closing ‘Harmful’ Tax Regimes: OECD
The OECD has issued another update on jurisdictions' progress to amend their preferential tax regimes to remove harmful elements under the OECD base erosion and profit shifting Action Plan minimum standard on harmful tax regimes (Action 5). ... - Continue reading
India: Tax Street – June 2019
India experiences a generation of exceptional wealth on one hand and fiscal deficit and tax revenue targets on the other. As a result of this, it is expected that the government may consider exploring the possibilities of Inheritance tax to increase the tax kitty. ... - Continue reading
Pass tax reform bills — Dominguez
The Department of Finance (DOF) has expressed the hope that President Duterte’s call in his State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) for Congress to pass reforms in the corporate tax system along with the remaining packages of the administration’s comprehensive tax reform program (CTRP) will provide lawmakers a strong impetus to pass these… – Continue reading
Malta: Consolidated Group (Income Tax) Rules, 2019
On 31 May 2019, Malta published the "Consolidated Group (Income Tax) Rules". The rules will come into force as from year of assessment 2020 and the rules introduce the concept of fiscal units into Maltese tax law. ... - Continue reading
Kenya, Botswana inks 3 pacts to shore up bilateral ties
NAIROBI, July 23 (Xinhua) — Kenya and Botswana on Tuesday signed three key agreements to help deepen bilateral ties between the two African countries. The agreements, which cover bilateral trade, air transport and ICT, were signed at the end of talks held between visiting Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi and his… – Continue reading
Deal firmly with those who game the system: Sitharaman to taxmen
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday asked taxmen to firmly deal with those who try to evade taxes and game the system but act as facilitators to those who want to pay taxes honestly. ... - Continue reading
UK: Non-Resident Capital Gains Tax on United Kingdom Real Estate: A New Regime
The legislation encompassing the new regime for taxing non-residents' gains on the United Kingdom (UK) commercial real estate came into effect on 6th April 2019. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has additionally published draft guidance on this recently introduced regime. This article briefly summarizes the new rules. ... - Continue reading
Tax laws of 12 low-tax countries including BVI, Bermuda, Cayman don’t harm other countries, 131-country group concludes
An OECD-led 131-country coalition, known as the “Inclusive Framework on BEPS,” has approved an assessment which concludes that 12 low or zero-tax countries do not have “harmful” tax regimes, the OECD today announced. ... - Continue reading
Taxpayers given six months to challenge Denmark transfer pricing assessments based on insufficient documentation
A Danish tax administration decree, published 12 July in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Microsoft case, establishes a new practice for determining whether transfer pricing documentation must be available at the time the taxpayer is required to file its tax return. ... - Continue reading
