Category: Double Taxation

Malta: The Tax Challenges Of The Digital Economy – Article 3

Main principles of Direct Taxation – Double Tax Treaties In our third article in a series of articles on the tax challenges of the digital economy, we shall be providing you hereunder with a brief overview of the principles of direct taxation, with a focus primarily on the taxation of… – Continue reading

Poroshenko hopes revamped agreement on taxation would benefit for Ukraine and Cyprus

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko hopes that the signing of the revamped intergovernmental agreement to avoid double taxation would facilitate the development of economic relations between Ukraine and Cyprus. “Following the negotiations, the parties signed 4 documents, inter alia, those allowing the avoidance of double taxation. The head of state expressed… – Continue reading

ATO to unveil large business hit list, clamps down on Singapore hubs

Hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue could be up for grabs as the Tax Office announces reviews of multinationals using offshore hubs in Singapore to minimise their tax. The ATO has issued a warning to multinationals to come forward immediately to discuss their overseas hub arrangements, if they have… – Continue reading

BEPS also applies to medium-sized businesses

Stricter Tax and documentation requirements for foreign transactions “Amazon, Facebook, Google and Starbucks pay little taxes …” or “Luxembourg attracts international corporations” – headlines like these have 62 states and the OECD called into action. The result was “base erosion and profit shifting” BEPS shortly. Even the German SME sector… – Continue reading

Ireland regains its swagger in the tax arena

Something unusual is happening with the Irish corporation tax in 2015 — so unusual that Ireland’s top tax man felt obliged to write to the parliament to explain what is going on. But the explanation left a lot to be desired. According to government data, Ireland received 57.7 percent more… – Continue reading

European Union: EU Combats International Tax Planning: The Amended Parent Subsidiary Directive

You have probably read about the OECD’s comprehensive base erosion and profit shifting (or BEPS) action plan aimed at tackling undesirable international tax planning by corporates. In recent years, the EU, particularly the European Commission, has put substantial effort into accelerating BEPS-like measures in an EU context. A striking example… – Continue reading

Cyprus: Double Tax Treaty Between Cyprus And Swiss Confederation

On 15th October 2015, the Double Tax Treaty between the Republic of Cyprus and Swiss Confederation had entered into force (the “Treaty“). The said Treaty is based on the OECD Model Convention on the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income and on Capital. Under the Treaty, there is no withholding… – Continue reading

Investing in Morocco

Over recent years, Kingdom of Morocco has created a legal and regulatory framework very attractive for foreign investors. In addition to its political stable environment, a recent series of tax treaties with numerous countries and reforms in almost all of its sectors of activities, in conjunction with its creation of… – Continue reading

Senate approves tax treaties with Turkey, Italy & Germany

The Senate concurred, after hearing, the ratification of tax treaties between the Philippines and the governments of Italy, Germany and Turkey that will prevent double taxation. Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said the approval on third and final reading of Senate resolutions 1540, 1541, 1542 on the double taxation avoidance… – Continue reading

An Overview of Transfer Pricing in Vietnam

Transfer pricing is a tax planning method where related companies enter into transactions among each other to shift funds, and thereby profits. For instance, a parent company can extract funds from a subsidiary by having the issue a dividend, but the parent can also provide a service to subsidiary and… – Continue reading

Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan sign cooperation agreements

Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan on Sunday signed a host of bilateral agreements and a MoU, covering various fields of cooperation. The signing ceremony, at Bayan Palace, was attended by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, visiting Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad… – Continue reading

Exchange of Tax Information to Promote International Standards

Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 11, 2015 (SKNIS): The proposed amendments to the Saint Christopher and Nevis Mutual Exchange of Information on Taxation Matters (Amendment) Bill, 2015 would greatly assist in minimizing the challenges that St. Kitts and Nevis faces when executing obligations under Agreements with treaty partners, said Prime Minister,… – Continue reading

Anastasiades to sign deals with Kiev

Cyprus will sign agreements with Ukraine on Friday, as President Nicos Anastasiades visits Ukraine to make deals on bilateral issues such as double taxation, higher education, energy, and other areas of cooperation. Anastasiades is on an official visit to Ukraine and will meet on Friday with the President of Ukraine… – Continue reading

Worldwide: A Guide To The Top 20 Offshore Fund Locations

There are a variety of benefits to moving offshore, yet few would argue the assertion that tax neutrality is paramount among them. As anyone familiar with the phrase “tax haven” would surely recognize, many countries offer strongly favorable tax terms as an incentive to draw new business. Written by CT… – Continue reading

PM Gruevski meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem

Macedonia’s Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu signed Wednesday in Jerusalem a declaration of friendship, as well as agreements on avoiding double taxation and protection of investments. The Prime Ministers affirmed the excellent relations between the two countries, based on mutual friendship and understanding, Gruevski’s Cabinet… – Continue reading

France: French Tax Update – Amending Finance Bill For 2015 And Noteworthy Q4 Case Law

The present French Tax Update contains (i) an overview of the main provisions proposed by the draft amending finance bill for 2015 (loi de finances rectificative pour 2015, 2015 Draft Amending Finance Bill), (ii) an update of the parliamentary amendments adopted in respect of the draft finance bill for 2016… – Continue reading

Azerbaijan, Israel should pay much attention to private sector for constructive ties (exclusive)

By Anakhanum Khidayatova – Trend: A lot should be left to the private sector to achieve constructive relations between Azerbaijan and Israel, according to Dan Stav, Israeli ambassador in Baku. “In order to encourage business in each country, you need to create conducive environment,” he said speaking to Trend Dec…. – Continue reading

India and South Korea sign taxation treaty MoU

NEW DELHI: India and Korea have inked a new memorandum of understanding on suspension of collection of taxes during pendency of mutual agreement procedure. This MoU will relieve the burden of double taxation for taxpayers in both the countries during the pendency of MAP proceedings. MAP or Mutual Agreement Procedure… – Continue reading

Malta: The Tax Challenges Of The Digital Economy – Article 2

Main principles of direct taxation – Domestic Tax Rules In our second article in a series of articles on the tax challenges of the digital economy, we shall be providing you hereunder with a brief overview of the principles of direct taxation, with a focus primarily on the taxation of… – Continue reading

Cyprus: Tax Incentives For Expatriate And High Net Worth Individuals Relocating To Cyprus (In Russian)

INTRODUCTION In the context of changes in the international system of taxation of the company in the choice of jurisdiction for the implementation of operational activities closely fit to the question of economic feasibility, to protect their interests. The strategic location of Cyprus, the presence of the country’s full membership… – Continue reading

Singapore displaces Mauritius as top FDI source

Singapore has displaced Mauritius as the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in India during the first half of this fiscal. Figures compiled by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion show that during April-September, India attracted $6.69 billion (Rs 43,096 crore) FDI from Singapore and $3.66 billion (Rs… – Continue reading

The ABC of BEPS project to avoid double taxation

The plan seeks to limit the fiscal erosion through interest deduction explains Alma Gutierrez; also seeks to prevent abuses in treaties and strengthening of controlled foreign companies rules. MEXICO CITY (CNNExpansión) – The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a forum where the governments of different countries, including… – Continue reading

What CFOs Need to Know About BEPS

The Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project is an initiative being pursued by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to curtail perceived exploitation of international tax rules and loopholes by multinational enterprises (MNEs). The OECD’s BEPS project was initiated in 2013 at the request of the Group… – Continue reading

Swaraj calls on Mauritius Prez, discusses range of issues

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today called on Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim and discussed a range of issues of mutual interest including impediments to investment inflows. Gurib-Fakim, the first woman President of Mauritius, who is a distinguished scientist, arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit. In the meeting, Gurib-Fakim and… – Continue reading

Chinamasa hails China mega deals

Ellah Mukwati Herald Correspondent The recent historic visit by the Chinese President Xi Jinping which saw 12 mega deals worth $4 billion being signed cemented the good bilateral relationship between Zimbabwe and China, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has said. In a statement released yesterday Minister Patrick Chinamasa… – Continue reading

Government looks to rework DTAA tax provisions

Some of the DTAAs entered into by India with other countries allow taxation of capital gains on shares only in the country of which the taxpayer is a resident. The government on Friday told the Lok Sabha that it has started negotiations with some countries to amend provisions on capital… – Continue reading

Tax Revenue Loss due to Avoidance and Tax Planning by Companies

The Government of India is aware of the potential loss of revenue from tax avoidance, and has been taking all necessary measures for preventing it. As a part of these measures, India has actively participated n the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project undertaken by the OECD and G-20… – Continue reading

China’s new transfer pricing guidelines and BEPS

The highly significant changes to transfer pricing guidance planned for under the SAT’s public discussion draft on ‘Special Tax Adjustments’ (yet to be finalised at the time of writing), and the impact of these changes in the light of evolving Chinese transfer pricing enforcement practice is the focus of this… – Continue reading

Bulgarian Offshore Companies Act amendment seeks to ease restrictions

A newly introduced amendment to the Bulgarian Offshore Companies Act (the “Act”) will bring significant changes to investment opportunities for offshore companies. If the Bulgarian Parliament adopts the amendment within the next month, the amended Act is expected to enter into force in the beginning of 2016. The proposed amendments… – Continue reading

India-Mauritius tax treaty revision talks on, says Tax official

Right to levy capital gains tax by India is also part discussions, he said India is engaged in “positive talks” with Mauritius on revision of bilateral tax treaty as some issues still need to be sorted out, an official said today. “Negotiations have been going on. Talks with Mauritius have… – Continue reading

Non-disclosure of foreign assets could turn risky for taxpayers: Jayant Sinha

NEW DELHI, DEC 3: Domestic taxpayers would do well to fully disclose their foreign assets with Indian tax authorities, Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Finance, has said. Non-disclosure of foreign assets could turn a “risky” proposition for taxpayers, Sinha said in his inaugural address at the 6th meeting of Automatic… – Continue reading

Change in UK Treatment of Dual-Resident Companies May Affect U.S. Tax Planning

On November 30, 2015, the UK tax authorities at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reached an agreement with Jersey about the interpretation of the company residence tie-breaker provision of the Jersey-UK income tax treaty. After reviewing other income tax treaties that contain similar provisions, HMRC will now take the view… – Continue reading

Thailand’s New Transfer Pricing Guidelines

Thailand’s vote this past May to implement a new transfer pricing law is expected to come into effect in the early part of the new year. Transfer pricing refers to the sale of goods or services between branches of a company or subsidiary companies to a parent enterprise, and most… – Continue reading

UK government amends view on DTA residence articles

UK tax authority HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced a change of view on the interpretation of the company residence articles in 16 double taxation agreements (DTAs), reports Tax News. The change was prompted by an agreement with Jersey on the interpretation of the company residence tie-breaker article in… – Continue reading

The foreign investment tax advisers should pay attention to

Taxes levied on foreign stock dividends can be recouped, but it makes most sense for high-net-worth clients with multimillion-dollar positions Advisers could be missing out on a way to maximize returns on their clients’ foreign investments. Americans investing in non-U.S. stocks could be earning less of a return than they’d… – Continue reading

Federal Tax Advisory: Economic Substance Doctrine Cases

Things are heating up in the economic substance doctrine area, which could lead to a U.S. Supreme Court review of the IRS’s aggressive arguments for the doctrine. Certiorari Petitions Salem Financial Inc. and Bank of New York Mellon Corporation have both petitioned for Supreme Court review of the Federal Circuit… – Continue reading

The foreign investment tax advisers should pay attention to

Taxes levied on foreign stock dividends can be recouped, but it makes most sense for high-net-worth clients with multimillion-dollar positions Advisers could be missing out on a way to maximize returns on their clients’ foreign investments. Americans investing in non-U.S. stocks could be earning less of a return than they’d… – Continue reading

‘There’s no evidence of Rs 430 billion’

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said the government does not have any evidence of Rs 430 billion being taken out by Pakistanis abroad adding the figure was based on media reports. The Minister stated this while addressing a news conference after a special meeting of the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC)… – Continue reading

Congress Scrutinizes OECD BEPS Corporate Tax Changes

The House and Senate held hearings Tuesday on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting action plan, also known as OECD BEPS, for combating tax avoidance by multinational corporations. A number of the lawmakers expressed a skeptical view of the international tax reforms. “The OECD’s… – Continue reading

UK Gov’t Amends View On DTA Residence Articles

UK tax authority HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced a change of view on the interpretation of the company residence articles in 16 double taxation agreements (DTAs). The change was prompted by an agreement with Jersey on the interpretation of the company residence tie-breaker article in their 1952 DTA…. – Continue reading

Mauritius plans derivatives platform in bid for African business

Mauritius plans to launch a trading platform to hedge African currencies against the US dollar, part of a bid to expand its role as a financial hub for the continent, the financial services minister said. The Indian Ocean island is also in talks to boost ties with stock exchanges in… – Continue reading

Iran, Hungary ink 8 coop. documents

TEHRAN, Nov. 30 (MNA) – Islamic Republic of Iran and Hungary signed eight cooperation documents for widening and deepening of relations. During his visit to Tehran, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, heading a group of 120 economic activists, businessmen and officials from the European country’s banks, and Iranian side signed… – Continue reading

East Africa: New Rules Will Ensure Profits Are Tied to Economic Activities

What is the whole point of the 15 actions in the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) code? How will they curb tax dodging and make taxation of multinationals more transparent? Historically, the interaction of different tax policies lead to instances where taxes paid are not commensurate to economic value… – Continue reading

Formula One seeking to encash $15.45-million guarantee by Jaiprakash Associates

MUMBAI: Formula One is seeking to encash a $15.45-million guarantee by debt-laden Jaiprakash Associates BSE 1.18 % on the ground that it hadn’t paid the sport’s organiser money that had been contractually agreed upon. The company said the amount is caught up in tax litigation and hence can’t be given…. – Continue reading