Category: Withholding tax rules

BEPS Action Plan 15: Multilateral instrument for bilateral tax treaties

This article continues our series on the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project, and the Action Plans that have so far been submitted, by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). We now look at Action Plan 15 on Developing a Multilateral Instrument to Modify Bilateral Tax Treaties…. – Continue reading

I-T dept sends notices to nearly 150 foreign portfolio investors over MAT

MUMBAI: Income-tax authorities on Friday issued draft assessment orders against nearly 150 foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) asking them to pay minimum alternate tax (MAT), a move that is bound to reinforce India’s reputation for aggressive tax enforcement. The 15-page draft assessment order sent to FPIs provides reasoning as to why… – Continue reading

HMRC triumphs in £260m tax avoidance court battles

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has secured over £260 million after triumphing against three tax avoidance schemes in tribunal battles. The Upper Tribunal dismissed an appeal brought by the investors of a scheme promoted by NT Advisors. This was HMRC’s ninth win against schemes promoted by NT Advisors. According to… – Continue reading

Payments and deals: IFC requests Dar to allow WHT exemption

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has approached Finance Minister Ishaq Dar seeking withholding tax exemption on the payments made or transactions carried out by the IFC, through an amendment in the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 along with an exemption certificate from withholding tax provisions from July… – Continue reading

Mauritius to fully cooperate with India to address outstanding issues relating to DTAA

The India-Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) may see some headway with the island nation promising full cooperation with India to address outstanding issues relating to their bilateral tax treaty. The development comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius. Its Finance Minister Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo in his Budget speech… – Continue reading

UK Budget 2015

Earlier today the UK government delivered its last budget before the UK general election in May. Many of the measures were, as one might expect so close to an election, focused on personal rather than corporate taxation. However, below is a summary of some of the business related announcements: Diverted… – Continue reading

Four Common Myths about the Flat Tax

America’s tax code is riddled with problems. It imposes high rates on families, businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs. Its double taxation of capital gains and dividends creates a bias against savings and investment—activities essential for economic growth. Its convoluted system of deductions, credits, and exemptions distorts incentives and inefficiently allocates resources,… – Continue reading

China: New Rules Widen Taxation Of Indirect Transfers Of Chinese Assets And Clarify Tax Avoidance

The China State Administration of Taxation recently issued a notice extending the taxation of capital gains by non-Chinese tax residents arising from indirect transfers of Chinese assets. Where indirect transfers of equity in Chinese entities were already subject to capital gains tax based on Circular 698, Notice 7 now extends… – Continue reading

Real estate tax: One million American citizens in Canada face double tax troubles

Owning real property on both sides of the border can create a confusing tax situation. Consider this example. Stefan and Jane are married and live in Vancouver. Jane is a Canadian citizen while Stefan holds both U.S. and Canadian citizenship. In 1994, shortly after getting married, they bought a house… – Continue reading

Government to close loopholes to stop multinationals claiming losses via subsidiaries

The Abbott government is pushing ahead with a Labor budget measure to close a loophole that will stop giving offshore-based multinationals “systemic tax advantages” that are not available to Australian-owned companies. The loopholes in current law mean that multinationals can, with the use of subsidiaries, structure their affairs to avoid… – Continue reading

International headquarters: third time’s the charm

Towards the end of last December, the cabinet passed resolutions representing the latest attempt to turn Thailand into an attractive location in which to establish an international headquarters (IHQ). This is the third attempt in a little over a decade to lure multinational companies to Thailand. The first regional operating… – Continue reading

Doing business in NZ: taxation

New Zealand has a broad-based tax system consisting principally of: income tax fringe benefit tax resident and non-resident withholding tax (RWT and NRWT) goods and services tax (GST) Accident Compensation levies import tariffs and miscellaneous excise duties, and local authority rates on property. Stamp duty, gift duty and death duties… – Continue reading

Tax compliance is still a nightmare

Rules are tangled and dispute resolution is excruciatingly slow. The government’s trying but it’s a long haul As Asia’s third-largest economy, India is a major investment destination. However, in recent years, the unpredictable tax regime has has been a major stumbling block to its potential. According to a recent World… – Continue reading

Tax evasion: Arab contractors, Tower Aluminium, Stabilini, 112 others face probe

Senators and members of the House of Representatives under the auspices of Anti- Money Laundering and Cyber Security Coalition are working with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission to prosecute about 115 tax offenders. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Pensions, Senator Aloysius Etok, (PDP-Akwa Ibom),… – Continue reading

Passports for cash: the countries selling citizenship to tax havens

Citizenship has been turned into a commodity by countries including Cyprus, Grenada, Antigua, Malta and St. Kitts in the Caribbean, which is now the most popular place in the world to buy a passport – for as little as $250,000. The draw? Little or no tax. New citizens of St…. – Continue reading

Retrotax returns: $1.6 billion tax demand on Cairn is likely to be a Vodafone redux

There is a sense of déjà vu in tax and legal circles. Vodafone bought itself into Hutch’s Indian telecom operations by acquiring controlling interest in a Cayman Island company that called the shots in the Indian company hitherto controlled by Hutchison Hong Kong. The tax authorities slapped a notice on… – Continue reading

Rebranding a regional operating headquarters as an international HQ

The regional operating headquarters (ROH) provisions that Thai tax authorities introduced in 2002 have never been popular, as they are difficult to understand and comply with. As a result, many businesses have bypassed Thailand and chosen Kuala Lumpur for their regional offices. Even a major revamp of ROH regulations in… – Continue reading

Kenya double tax agreements with South Africa and Mauritius

The long-awaited double tax agreements entered into by Kenya with South Africa and Mauritius respectively did not come into force on 1 January 2015 as expected. The treaty between Kenya and South Africa that was signed in November 2010 was ratified by Kenya in October 2014, following earlier ratification by… – Continue reading

French real estate holdings through Luxembourg vehicles may need to be revisited, says expert

Structures for investments from overseas investors in French real estate that involve Luxembourg vehicles may need to be restructured if an expected change to the double tax treaty between France and Luxembourg takes effect, an expert has said.09 Mar 2015 Property tax Property Tax Structured real estate Specialist property investment… – Continue reading

GUEST COLUMN: Protect your investments

Many business owners have substantial personal assets invested in their business. This can have significant implications, not only for you and your business, but also for your family’s financial security. To protect your investment, both business and personal, your business strategy should include carefully structured tax-planning components to ensure you… – Continue reading

Foreign investors raise tax concerns with FM

Discuss issues related to applicability of minimum alternate tax and permanent establishment Foreign Investor on Saturday raised several tax-related issues with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley at a meeting organised by the National Stock Exchange (NSE). According to sources, issues regarding applicability of minimum alternate tax (MAT) and permanent establishment (PEs)… – Continue reading

Backdating Taxes?

Double Tax Avoidance Agreement to be Applied to China Funds Investors no longer have to be worried about double taxation on China-based funds. On Mar. 4, the Korea Financial Investment Association told asset management firms to hand in documents for double tax avoidance agreement applications. Four months ago, when the… – Continue reading

Interview: Israeli withholding of Palestinian tax dues leads to total security collapse: official

RAMALLAH, March 2 (Xinhua) — The Israeli withholding of Palestinian tax revenue dues would lead to full security deterioration in the Palestinian territories, a senior Palestinian official warned on Monday in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. Mohamed Mustafa, deputy prime minister of the Palestinian unity government and the minister of… – Continue reading

Tax traps to avoid for Aussies working overseas

Working overseas can lead to tricky tax pitfalls, but seeking expert advice can keep you from paying up twice. Going overseas to work is a grand adventure for many young professionals. It offers the opportunity to experience a different culture, expand your work experience and enhance future career opportunities. But… – Continue reading

It’s time to choose what kind of tax system we want

The Conversation Five years ago the Henry Review undertook a detailed examination of Australia’s tax and transfer system. Today, the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute at ANU’s Crawford School has revisited the Henry Review, as the Australian government prepares to release its tax white paper. Tax reform should not be… – Continue reading

No respite for Vodafone as Arun Jaitley maintains status quo on past offshore deals

British mobile giant Vodafone hasn’t been bailed out, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley maintaining status quo on taxing past offshore deals. However, foreign investors can draw comfort as tax will be charged in India only on certain offshore deals where the underlying asset and the value derived thereon are in… – Continue reading

Govt to introduce capital gains tax

Minister of Finance Martin Dlamini said the proposed revenue measures would assist government in mobilising additional resources for protecting essential services while Southern African Customs Union (SACU) revenues fall in the medium term. He said these initiatives include an amendment of the Income Tax regulations, including removal of the tax… – Continue reading

An increase of more than 50% in the annual tax on enveloped dwellings is hard to swallow

As part of the Autumn Statement it was announced that “The government will increase the annual charges of the ATED by 50% above inflation for residential properties worth more than £2 million for the chargeable period 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016.” The Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings (ATED)… – Continue reading