Category: Real Estate

Croatia to initiate tax treaty negotiations with the United States

The government of the Republic of Croatia, on September 30, adopted a decision to initiate proceedings to conclude a convention with the United States on the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of tax evasion with respect to taxes on income. ... - Continue reading

‘Who is buying Seattle?’: New report issues warnings on Seattle’s luxury housing boom

Seattle’s luxury housing boom will worsen inequality and affordability in the city, according to a new report, which calls for officials to require more transparency on who is actually buying luxury real estate in the area. The report — “Who is Buying Seattle? The Perils of the Luxury Real Estate… – Continue reading

Ireland Budget 2020 released

On 8 October, the Irish government announced its Budget 2020 measures. Brexit and climate change are core themes of new revenue measures and expenditure commitments. Brexit remains the foremost immediate concern for the Irish economy, whereas tackling climate change requires long-term commitments to tax and spending policies. ... - Continue reading

BSP study dismisses risks of POGOs pullout

Initial results of a study conducted by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show that an immediate pullout by Philippine offshore gaming operators from the country will not have an impact on the financial stability, Governor Benjamin Diokno said Tuesday. Diokno asked the BSP’s Financial Stability team and the Anti-Money Laundering… – 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

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 Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has additionally published draft guidance on this recently introduced regime.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

A Huge Tax Break Went to a Politically Connected Company in New Jersey Despite Red Flags

Holtec International told New Jersey regulators that Ohio was competing for its new headquarters. But officials there stripped the firm of past tax awards for failing to create the jobs it promised.n January 2014, as Holtec International explored sites for a new national headquarters and high-tech manufacturing center, the New… – Continue reading

Chile May Tax eCommerce Companies 19 Pct

Chile is considering a 19 percent tax on multinational eCommerce companies like Amazon, Netflix and Uber. Finance Minister Felipe Larrain made the announcement on Thursday (Jan. 10), and if it comes to fruition, the rate would be almost double what was originally proposed, Reuters reported. The Chilean Chamber of Commerce,… – Continue reading

FBR plans action against concealed property investment

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) stepped up efforts to net undisclosed property investments as the newly-constituted authority to curb real estate tax evasion brought the amnesty for the sector to an end, sources said Saturday. They said the amnesty to whiten undocumented money used for transactions of immovable… – Continue reading

FATF recommendations: Pakistan told to track transactions of $3,000 and above

ISLAMABAD: The Asia Pacific Group (APG) on Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has asked Pakistan for tracking down all financial transaction ranging from 3000 to 15,000 US dollars/Euro in cash through real estate agents, dealers in precious metals and stones, lawyers, notaries, other independent legal professional and accountants as well… – Continue reading

AICPA makes recommendations on IRS and Treasury’s proposed rules for QBI deduction

The American Institute of CPAs made recommendations to the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service on Monday about the proposed rules regarding the deduction for qualified business income under section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code. The proposed guidance, issued Aug. 16, 2018, provides rules addressing how… – Continue reading

TAX MATTERS | THE TAXATION OF COMPANIES IN MACAU – WORLDWIDE OR TERRITORIAL BASIS? (CONT.)

Our previous article about the taxable basis for the taxation of companies in the Macau territory made reference to the fact that the courts in Macau, notably the Court of Second Instance (TSI) and the Tax Administration, do not seem to share the same view regarding income considered as the… – Continue reading

Govt to serve notices to 300 Pakistanis owning properties in UAE: sources

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to issue notices to 300 Pakistani nationals who own properties in the United Arab Emirates, sources informed Geo News Saturday. The sources said that notices will be sent to individuals who own six or more properties in UAE. They will be inquired about their… – Continue reading

NBI probe in Turku targets real estate firm, nabs third suspect

A large-scale police operation into money laundering appears to have targeted the Airiston Helmi real estate firm, led by a Russian man with Maltese citizenship. An exceptionally large police operation took place in southwest Finland this weekend, in what the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said was an extensive search… – Continue reading

Inheritance tax avoidance investigations rise as HMRC cracks down on estate undervaluations

HM Revenue and Customs is increasingly targeting estates it believes have undervalued residential property to avoid Inheritance Tax bills, according to an accountancy firm. HMRC investigated 5,400 estates for underpayment of inheritance tax (IHT) last year. This is up 5% from 5,100 in the 2016/17 tax year. One in four… – Continue reading

China Tax Cuts Worth RMB 45 Billion to Support Economy Amid Slowdown

On August 30, China’s State Council announced RMB 45 billion (US$6.59 billion) worth of tax cuts for businesses and investors. With the tax cuts, the Chinese government hopes to reduce the burden on small and micro-enterprises, encourage investors to continue lending, and ensure capital flow in the economy. The tax… – Continue reading

Gibraltar—Marbella. Russian oligarchs hide their Spanish assets offshore

It emerged that Russian oligarchs, members of ‘Russian mafia’, and many other owners of real estate in Spain have neither Spanish citizenship nor residential permit and successfully evade national taxes. Mansions in Marbella purchased by Russians officially belong to offshore companies incorporated in Gibraltar, a tiny British Overseas Territory. The… – Continue reading

Moldova to Ease Citizenship Requirements for Investors

The Moldovan parliament is divided over proposed amendments that would allow wealthy investors to bypass certain requirements in the citizen application process, Balkan Insight reported Friday. Some members of parliament warn that the changes, which are expected to pass next week, will undermine security and worsen Moldova’s reputation for corruption…. – Continue reading

Tax raids end in Madhya Pradesh, Bengaluru; Rs 100 crore tax evasion, 12 bogus companies detected

The searches which started at the locations pertaining to the Bhopal-based Asnani Group and its business associates have led to the disclosure of around Rs 100 crores undisclosed income. BHOPAL: Five day long searches at 30 premises related to a Madhya Pradesh-based real estate major and business associates in Bhopal,… – Continue reading

Opportunity Zone Program turns blight sites into tax havens for asset-rich investors

The rich are getting richer in America but that prosperity is not trickling down the economic food chain, with investment capital pooling up in thriving portions of big cities. One reason for this, experts believe, is the amount of wealth tied up in assets—real estate holdings and stock portfolios, primarily—that… – Continue reading

Govt to announce amnesty for undeclared foreign assets ahead of OECD’s treaty

KARACHI: Government on Saturday said it may roll out an amnesty to allow offshore bank account holders to declare their wealth against nominal tax rates ahead of the implementation of OECD’s treaty to exchange financial details with foreign countries in September. Miftah Ismail, adviser to the Prime Minister for finance,… – Continue reading

Swiss Come Clean Amid Data Swaps

Switzerland’s abandonment of banking secrecy for international tax dodgers is having an unexpected side effect at home: more domestic tax cheats with accounts around Europe are coming forward. If 2017 was the glide path for Switzerland’s international data-swapping agreements, this year means business: Swiss banks must automatically share client data… – Continue reading

Report: French tax authority targets Jews; France denies allegation

‘Globes Israel’ claims that a secret department was set up in France’s tax authority specifically to investigate French Jews for tax evasion. The French have set up a secret department within their tax authority that employs 20 Hebrew speakers in order to find out if Jews are trying to evade… – Continue reading

Autumn Budget 2017: Hidden Tax Blow to Real Estate Sector

Summary: The Chancellor unexpectedly announced a U-turn to tax gains made by non-residents on UK commercial property with effect from April 2019. This will have a significant impact on overseas investors into UK real estate and creates additional uncertainty during an already volatile time as Brexit negotiations continue. Overseas investors… – Continue reading

Jahangir Tareen’s ‘Trust Deed’ signed and executed in Switzerland

ISLAMABAD/LONDON: The thirty-eight-page trust deed of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Jahangir Khan Tareen’s offshore trust was signed and formalised in Geneva, Switzerland, and facilitated by HSBC Guyerzeller Trust Company Geneva – raising questions about Swiss bank accounts. During the hearing before Pakistan’s Supreme Court, Tareen was asked no questions about… – Continue reading

Shell transactions under vigil: Serial Income Tax raids on three businessmen

HYDERABAD: Income Tax sleuths on Wednesday conducted simultaneous searches in Hyderabad and Vijayawada on three top businessmen cum-realtors, who were allegedly evading tax, particularly in real estate transactions and unearthed documents pertaining to unaccounted investments running into hundreds of crores of rupees. These are the first big raids after shell… – Continue reading

French Lawmakers Adopt 2018 Finance Bill

French deputies have adopted at first reading the 2018 Finance Bill, which includes several of the Government’s key tax measures. The bill, adopted by the National Assembly on October 24, will reduce compulsory levies by EUR10.3bn (USD12.1bn) by the end of 2018. The bill includes the abolition of the wealth… – Continue reading

Including consultancy under Construction PE to impact realty: PwC report

NEW DELHI: Inclusion of consultancy services under Construction PEs, foreign firms engaged in construction activities in the country, is likely to impact the real estate sector, says a PwC report. PE (Permanent Establishment) is a fixed place of business which generally gives rise to income or value-added tax liability in… – Continue reading

Court orders developer to reveal condo-flipper info

A Federal Court judge has approved at least one court order that will require a British Columbia developer to turn over information to tax officials about people who bought and flipped condo units before or during construction. And several similar applications are under way, reflecting the federal government’s efforts to… – Continue reading