Kenya signed several pacts with the US during talks between US President Barack Obama and Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, signalling a deepening of bilateral relations in trade and investment. Addressing a joint press conference, President Obama said discussions on the prospects of introducing direct flights between the two countries were… – Continue reading
The Supreme Court-appointed special investigation team on black money has called for clamping down on betting in cricket and stringent checks to prevent rampant use of unaccounted funds in educational institutions by way of donations and capitation fee. The panel has also called for a cash holding limit of Rs… – Continue reading
Corporations, usually based in offshore tax havens, are sometimes used by buyers keen to hide ownership of assets, says National Crime Agency spokesman Foreign criminals are using the London housing market to launder billions of pounds, pushing up house prices for domestic buyers, a senior police officer has warned. Donald… – Continue reading
Wealthy investors in multiple tax avoidance schemes are being leaned on to settle what the tax authority sees as due, or risk reputational damage, reports the Financial Times. Although the government has yet to legislate for powers to “name and shame” tax avoiders, HM Revenue & Customs has warned a… – Continue reading
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has won a case against £29 million ‘sham’ tax avoidance scheme in a tribunal case, reports Citywire. The First-Tier Tribunal rules against tax avoidance scheme the Brain Disorders Research Limited Partnership and partner Neil Hockin’s attempts to claim £29 million in tax relief. The investors… – Continue reading
Fatca was introduced in 2010, to curb offshore tax evasion by US entities and citizens Even after the signing of a treaty between the governments of India and America to comply with the latter’s Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (Fatca), mutual funds (MFs) continue to remain wary of accepting investments… – Continue reading
Guernsey’s growth shows no sign of abating Guernsey’s reputation as a major fund domicile continues to grow. Figures from Guernsey Finance testify to this with funds under management and administration in Guernsey standing at £218.7 billion at December 2014. These funds cover multiple asset classes and types including closed-ended and… – Continue reading
Introduction US tax treaty policy can be affected by pressures for tax reform from within the United States and by major developments in international taxation from without. Talk of US tax reform has been widespread for years, although it is sometimes hard to gauge how much of the talk is… – Continue reading
Law 20,780 – published in the Official Gazette on September 29 2014 – introduced the most complex and comprehensive tax reform in Chile for decades. Several provisions are already in force, while others will enter into force on January 1 2016. Most of the remaining provisions will be in full… – Continue reading
SINGAPORE – Singapore’s asset management industry grew strongly last year, with more sovereign wealth funds setting up shop here. Assets under management (AUM) rose 30 per cent to S$2.36 trillion in 2014 from S$1.82 trillion in 2013, said the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) annual report 2014/15 released on Tuesday…. – Continue reading
Apple, Google, and other major U.S.-based multinationals may soon be able to bring more of their foreign-earned income back to American shores without facing a huge tax burden, as lawmakers are moving forward on a tax reform framework that could eliminate taxes on international earnings and authorize a one-time repatriation… – Continue reading
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will seek the Union Cabinet’s approval for a model investment protection agreement that will enable India to safeguard against offshore arbitration and international litigation from global companies and also resume talks with the U.S. on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). One of the reasons talks between… – Continue reading
In its annual survey of the South African economy, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has recommended measures to increase tax revenue and meet the country’s requirement for higher public spending on infrastructure and welfare. At the presentation of the survey, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria said that “more… – Continue reading
Hong Kong’s Government brought into effect the promised extension of the profits tax exemption for offshore funds to private equity funds, by publishing in the Gazette on July 17 the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No.2) Ordinance 2015. A government spokesman said: “With the implementation of the Amendment Ordinance, transactions conducted by… – Continue reading
THE HAUGE, July 20 (Xinhua) — The Dutch-German agreement to enhance the exchange of information on tax rulings was “an important step” towards greater transparency, but there is still a long way to go before reaching common ground on harmonized corporate tax policies within the European Union (EU), according to… – Continue reading
New Zealand’s lack of overseas investment regulation is being promoted in Shanghai and Hong Kong to help sell apartments rising on the site of the country’s best-known record store. “NO stamp duties and property purchase tax, NO capital gains tax on residential property if sold after two years of holding,”… – Continue reading
A bitcoin scam in Spain has managed to convince 22,000 investors to fork over a total of 50 million EUR to the unete, a digital currency that can allow people to buy or sell things online. This bitcoin scam was started by José Manuel Ramírez Marco in 2013 and, just… – Continue reading
Guernsey has for some time been the domicile of choice for non-UK companies listing on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”), the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) and the Specialist Funds Market (“SFM”). The Island has developed expertise in the set up and administration of a range of… – Continue reading
India and Mauritius are set to limit the benefits of their double tax avoidance agreement (DTAA) to only genuine businesses bringing foreign direct investment to India by inserting a new clause in the treaty straight from New Delhi’s yet to be implemented General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR). The revised treaty, however,… – Continue reading
In the UK, private equity managers hoping to cut their tax bills under the “carried interest” system will face much tougher tests, in a move that means they will pay almost £1.8bn more in capital gains tax between now and 2021, according to new proposals announced in the Budget, The… – Continue reading
Over the past few months, several foreign portfolio investors registered in India have received notices from the Indian tax authorities demanding payment of Minimum Alternate Tax in respect of transactions which took place over the course of prior assessment years. The Indian Government has indicated that it could raise several… – Continue reading
The U.S., Japan and Europe are being accused of blocking developing countries from participating in efforts to combat international tax evasion. Policymakers have been gathered this week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 3rd Financing for Development Conference, where discussions have been underway about ways to combat corporate tax evasion…. – Continue reading
MUMBAI: The government may soon clarify tax rules making it easier for fund managers operating large India-dedicated funds to set up an office in the country, four months after finance minister Arun Jaitley announced in the budget about the government’s intentions to do so. The finance ministry and the central… – Continue reading
Industry body says hedge funds in Britain almost never use the carry system targeted by George Osborne in last week’s Budget, The Telegraph reports Hedge funds have claimed they were unfairly singled out in a Budget crackdown on the “carried interest” tax loophole, arguing that almost no British funds are… – Continue reading
The Government’s submission to the “Re:think” tax white paper process under way in Australia highlights the lack of mutual recognition of imputation credits as the most significant barrier to a seamless transtasman market and calls for visionary political leadership. Prime Minister John Key displays the very leadership he’s calling for,… – Continue reading
Shanghai is China’s biggest international financial centre in terms of inflows of foreign direct investment, while Beijing tops the table for outflows, The Banker reports. Shanghai is the Chinese financial centre that has attracted the largest inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country. A total of 21 projects… – Continue reading
German supermarket chain Aldi has given the market a rare glimpse into its profitability in Australia, as part of its ongoing defence against claims it doesn’t pay its fair share of tax. Aldi is structured as a limited partnership in Australia and so is not required to provide detailed financial… – Continue reading
OECD guidance needs to be clear otherwise the process could favour the bigger nations In Paris last week, as Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande discussed events in Greece, the international tax system was being discussed in an underground meeting room at OECD headquarters. For almost two days tax authority delegates… – Continue reading
In the midst of turmoil in the Chinese stock markets, one serious problem that may appear is increased currency outflows created by current and potential investors who would rather move their assets to foreign countries viewed as safer havens. Money laundering should be under close surveillance. Chinese involvement in money… – Continue reading
Over the past few months, several foreign portfolio investors registered in India have received notices from the Indian tax authorities demanding payment of Minimum Alternate Tax in respect of transactions which took place over the course of prior assessment years. The Indian Government has indicated that it could raise several… – Continue reading
One of the most immediate and obvious consequences of globalisation is the impact of domestic tax policies in other countries on the economy of Tanzania. This has necessitated the continuous evaluation of the tax regime in Tanzania and brought about crucial fiscal and economic reforms in the country. Hence, the… – Continue reading
Australian authorities urged to undertake prosecution of those linked to property purchases KUALA LUMPUR: Three activist groups have lodged reports with Australian authorities to investigate overpriced property purchases in Melbourne by a Mara subsidiary for possible prosecution on grounds of tax evasion and money laundering. The three groups are National… – Continue reading
Multinationals were probably waiting for result of British referendum on EU before deciding where to locate, says head of Irish investment authority Global corporations will think twice about investing in the UK while uncertainty reigns over Britain’s European Union membership, according to the head of the Irish state body that… – Continue reading
The Abbott government has been accused of trying to water down language on tax evasion in a crucial document ahead of the UN’s Finance for Development meeting in Ethiopia next week. The Third International Conference on Financing for Development will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from Monday next week…. – Continue reading
(CS) Fitch Ratings has kept its AAA rating of Luxembourg with a stable outlook unchanged, leaving the Grand Duchy one of only nine countries worldwide to hold the top rating by the three leading agencies. Luxembourg has also been rated AAA with a stable outlook by Standard & Poor’s and… – Continue reading
Wealthy City investors are suing finance firm Ingenious along with banks Coutts and HSBC over the billion-pound film production schemes that Revenue & Customs has labelled tax avoidance vehicles. More than 100 investors, including Ken Costa, former chairman of investment bank Lazard, and Christian Hess of investment bank Investec, have… – Continue reading
Finance Ministry has informed that the negotiations on the double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) between India and Mauritius are in advanced stage and the pact would be revised soon. Revenue Secretary Shaktikanta Das has said that “DTAA treaty (with Mauritius) is in very advanced stage of negotiation. It is progressing… – Continue reading
Poor countries need to get better at raising tax, and multinational firms need to get better at paying it SOMALIA is not only one of the world’s poorest and least developed countries, it is also one of the most dangerous for tax collectors. By one reckoning a fifth of tax… – Continue reading
The Indo-US deal on the Act will help both fight coountries tax evasion. Here’s a primer on how you could be affected The United States and India struck a bilateral deal on Thursday that would enable them to track the assets of nationals from both countries. As per the terms… – Continue reading
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) introduced the ‘Transfer Pricing Scheme’ hurriedly in the financial year 2011-2012. It, however, did not make any provision for infrastructure development to promote the scheme among concerned members of the public. Even it did not make any publicity for assessees, multinational and local companies… – Continue reading
On July 8, 2015, the International Tax Reform Working Group, which is co-chaired by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), released its long-awaited report that Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) has said is the precursor to comprehensive tax reform in the United States. What does the… – Continue reading
Swiss Poised To Support Greek Tax Amnesty by Matthew Allen, swissinfo.ch Struggling to pay off more than €300 billion (CHF313 billion) in debts, Greece is banking on Switzerland to help it recover a treasure trove of undeclared assets that tax cheats have stashed in alpine vaults. But anti-tax haven campaigners… – Continue reading
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on July 6, 2015, discussed the IMF’s role in supporting the post-2015 development agenda, ahead of the upcoming third United Nations (UN) Conference on Financing for Development (FfD) to be held in Addis Ababa from July 13–16, 2015. Having adopted a… – Continue reading
Shipping should not panic in wake of proposed U.K. non-dom tax changes, Moore Stephens says Shipowners likely to be affected by wide-ranging changes to the taxation of non-U.K.-domiciliaries introduced in the U.K. Summer Budget have been urged not to panic by international accountant and shipping adviser Moore Stephens, which says… – Continue reading
New Zealand, Samoa sign double tax agreement WELLINGTON, July 8 (Xinhua) — New Zealand and the Pacific island nation of Samoa have signed a double tax agreement that should help boost trade and investment, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said Wednesday. Key, who is in Samoa for a rugby… – Continue reading
Jersey has attracted foreign direct investment worth more than US$65bn and distributed FDI worth more than US$75bn, according to a new report, which highlights the territory’s contribution to the global economy, reports Tax News. The report, “Jersey’s Contribution to FDI,” was produced by global management advisory firm Investment Consulting Associates… – Continue reading
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell threw cold water Wednesday on a bipartisan plan to use revenue from tax reform to repair the nation’s crumbling roads and bridges, even as Republicans grope for a way to keep highway projects running this summer. McConnell (R-Ky.) signaled plans to take up consideration of… – Continue reading
Nairobi – Two European tax havens receive more than a quarter of all global foreign direct investment, ActionAid said on Tuesday, calling for an international deal to tackle tax avoidance and reduce poverty. Luxembourg and the Netherlands receive almost 26% of the world’s foreign investment, although they earn less than… – Continue reading
Britain’s corporation tax rate will fall to 19% in 2017 and 18% by 2020 Corporation tax in Britain will fall to 18% by 2020 in a move which Chancellor George Osborne claims will send out a message that Britain is open for business. Mr Osborne made the announcement in his… – Continue reading
BARBADOS is targeting the South American country of Colombia for more international business. A delegation from the island will be spending the next week or so in that country as this island looks to broaden the more than $900 million in domestic contributions by the international Business and Financial Services… – Continue reading
