Category: Activity

HMRC targets wealthy families with trusts

Changes to Britain’s centuries-old trust regime are looming as HMRC is concerned that trusts are letting some families pay less inheritance tax than those who do not pay accountants to set up the complex arrangements. To look at if the law should be changed, HMRC has published wide-ranging research of… – Continue reading

Ministers meet with EU, OECD to discuss ending tax watchlist

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, K. Peter Turnquest, led a delegation to Brussels and Paris this week, for frank discussions with high-ranking officials within the European Commission and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on The Bahamas’ compliance with international standards on tax governance. The meetings… – Continue reading

Nigeria: Public Notice On The FIRS’ Income Tax (Transfer Pricing) Regulation 2018

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recently released the Income Tax (Transfer Pricing) Regulation 2018 (‘the Regulation’). The Regulation took effect from 12th March 2018 and replaces the Income Tax (Transfer Pricing) Regulations, 2012. The Regulation sets out the legal framework for the application of the arm’s length principle to… – Continue reading

Transfer pricing not always tax evasion

The misconceptions about transfer pricing being a tax avoidance or violation in Vietnam are creating challenges for multinational enterprises, said Adam Sitkoff, executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (Amcham). In his opening speech at a workshop held to gain clarity on the changing world of transfer pricing,… – Continue reading

US multinationals dodge $180 billion in taxes on foreign profits per year

US multinational corporations are plundering the populations of the United States and the world to the tune of trillions of dollars by driving down and evading taxes on profits booked overseas. This is the conclusion that emerges from a recent study by University of California at Berkeley economist Gabriel Zucman… – Continue reading

European Union digital tax levy could be delayed until 2020

Arriving at the meeting Tuesday in Brussels, the Danish minister of Finance, Kristian Jensen, said of his side: “Everything is possible in politics but I think that it is very hard to reach an agreement on the taxation of the digital economy”. Under the proposal, a 3pc levy would be… – Continue reading

China’s IIT Reform: Seven Key Points from the Draft Implementation Rules

Many taxpayers in China have had questions about how the government would change the individual income tax (IIT) law since the amendment was passed earlier this year. Recently, however, the tax authorities released a draft of the amendment’s implementation rules and measures for comment. While the draft implementation rules and… – Continue reading

Canada: Tax Residence In Canada – Are Significant Residential Ties Less Significant For Immigrants To Canada Than For Emigrants From Canada? A Canadian Tax Lawyer’s Analysis

Introduction A person’s status as a tax resident determines the extent to which Canada may tax that person’s income. The test for whether an individual—i.e., a natural person—is a Canadian tax resident turns on the individual’s particular circumstances. Every detail counts. But Canadian courts and the Canada Revenue Agency both… – Continue reading

Britain to start taxing big internet companies

LONDON — Britain’s Treasury chief unveiled Monday a new tax on big internet companies’ revenues, insisting it is time that the global tech giants with profitable business in the United Kingdom pay their fair share for public services. Philip Hammond made the announcement as he outlined his budget, explaining that… – Continue reading

Rs 3,400-crore tax evasion’: I-T probing over 21,000 entities

The probe follows an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on 14,720 entities in a case related to alleged trading irregularities in that segment. THE INCOME-TAX (I-T) Department is probing at least 21,900 entities that have traded through 193 brokers and allegedly evaded taxes of about… – Continue reading

Zambia lost $145m through tax evasion, smuggling of ethanol in 2017 – report

ZAMBIA last year lost US$145.5 million through tax evasion by unregistered and registered low-cost spirits producers and smuggling of ethanol and beverages, a report has revealed. And Vice-President Inonge Wina has backed Zambian Breweries’ Youth Mentorship Programme aimed at curbing alcohol abuse among youth and promoting positive and responsible decision-making… – Continue reading

Creditsafe pays £1m to HMRC under ‘Diverted Profits Tax’

Caerphilly-based credit referencing company Creditsafe has paid Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs almost £1 million after it was served with a ‘Diverted Profits Tax’ charge. Registered as Creditsafe Business Solutions, the company, based at Caerphilly Business Park, sells business data for credit check purposes and other uses. According to full… – Continue reading

Gibraltar targets crypto funds

Having established a groundbreaking regulatory framework for companies using distributed ledger technology, Gibraltar is now poised to publish draft legislation for initial token offerings and is setting its sights too on the market for crypto funds. These were among the key messages signalled at a breakfast briefing for fund managers… – Continue reading

British Virgin Islands: BVI AEOI Update And Introduction Of Country-By-Country Reporting

As part of the British Virgin Islands’ (“BVI”) ongoing commitment to international tax transparency pursuant to the Common Reporting Standard (“CRS”), the BVI Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) Act, 2003 has been amended by the BVI Mutual Legal Assistance (Tax Matters) (Amendment) Act, 2018 (the “Amendment Act”). The Amendment Act… – Continue reading

BIBA head confident Barbados can make tax law deadlines

Officials in the international business sector here are in somewhat of a wait and see mode as Barbados continues to make necessary legislative and regime changes governing the sector. This means companies seeking to attract new international business to Barbados have not been as robust in their efforts as they… – Continue reading

OECD comes to PNG’s aid to chase tax dodgers

Internal Revenue Commission is now in partnership with an international auditing organisation to help tackle multinationals that are avoiding paying taxes, Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Charles Abel, pictured, says. He said that Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), under its ‘tax inspectors without borders’ programme, would help IRC… – Continue reading

Germany urges global minimum tax for digital giants

FRANKFURT AM MAIN: German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz in an interview said he backed a global minimum fiscal regime for multinationals as Europe looks to levy tax notably on US tech giants. “We need a minumum tax rate valid globally which no state can get out of (applying),” Scholz, a… – Continue reading

Ireland Implements New Exit Tax Regime

Ireland’s 2018 Finance Bill legislates for a new exit tax regime compliant with the EU’s Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive. The exit tax charge was introduced via financial resolution on Budget night, October 9, 2018, and applies to certain events occurring on or after October 10. Finance Bill 2018 formally legislates for… – Continue reading

Cryptocurrencies Could Emerge As Top Save Haven For Chinese Investors Amidst Govt Crackdown

The Chinese government has decided to tight policies that target investors in the country and that hold their wealth overseas with the intention to avoid paying taxes. However, these investors that are now threatened by the government might move to cryptocurrencies and avoid being investigated by Chinese authorities. Most of… – Continue reading

Nigeria seeks IMF’s support on tax collection

The Federal Government is seeking assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on modalities for improving tax collection, especially from the International Oil Companies (IOCs), Finance Minister Zainab Ahmed, has said. She told reporters on the sidelines of the ongoing 2018 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Group Meetings, in Bali,… – Continue reading

Among wider reforms, Bahamas pledges to enact beneficial ownership bill by year-end

The Bahamas has drafted new legislation to ensure the jurisdiction achieves the right balance of business, economic sustainability, and compliance with international standards. Uppermost among the Bahamas’ priorities include compliance with the OECD and EU criteria on tax governance which has led to the Bahamas implementing sweeping changes to the… – Continue reading

Tax Deregistration in China: New Rules Simplify Process

On September 18, China’s State Administration of Taxation (SAT) issued the Circular about Further Optimizing Tax Deregistration Procedures for Enterprises (Shui Zong Fa [2018] No. 149) to further improve its business environment. The notice introduces tax clearance certificate exemption, optimizes the tax deregistration service, and simplifies the documentation required and… – 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

India planning to launch its own cryptocurrency?

In the wake of blowing hot and cool on bitcoin, the government of India is thinking about drawing out its very own cryptocurrency. A board comprised by India’s finance ministry suggested that the nation launch a government-backed cryptocurrency. “We are assessing the government-backed cryptocurrency and crypto-token,” said a senior government… – Continue reading

Tax Avoidance Taskforce helps net $5.6 billion in first two years

The more detailed scrutiny of the tax affairs of multinationals, large corporations and wealthy individuals, made possible by the formation of the Tax Avoidance Taskforce, has collected $5.6 billion in extra tax in just two years. Deputy Commissioner Mark Konza said “the $679.9 million the Government funded the ATO for… – Continue reading

Chinese Accounting Standards: A Primer for Foreign Investors

Foreign companies establishing a presence in China will encounter a host of considerations that do not exist in their home country. Of these, interpreting and understanding China’s system of accounting standards can be an especially difficult challenge. China only embraced a market-driven economy recently, so its accounting and bookkeeping systems… – Continue reading

Tax agency to inspect underperforming foreign firms

The General Department of Taxation has been reviewing press information about foreign firms continuously reporting loss to have inspection plan in the upcoming time. The general department has required tax agencies to focus on inspection over these companies. According to articles published on Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper in May… – Continue reading

Swiss-US tax data transfer method ‘violates law’

The Swiss Data Protection Commissioner has issued a legal complaint against the Finance Ministry for sending the names of bank employees, lawyers, accountants and other third parties to the United States to assist with tax evasion investigations. The Swiss Supreme Court has already issued a ruling that bans the indiscriminate… – Continue reading

Tax havens refuse cooperation with Pakistan

Pakistan has been unable to get much cooperation from 11 countries known as tax havens around the world to share information on offshore wealth amid a global clampdown on tax evasion. Under the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) new automatic exchange of information programme, effective since September 1,… – Continue reading

Australia Mulls Fresh Regulations on Crypto Exchanges

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) said it would create a team to monitor initial coin offerings (ICOs) and cryptocurrencies. Australia’s market regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is considering a new tactic in regulating digital currency exchanges and raising the monitoring of initial coin offerings (ICOs)… – Continue reading

FDI policy shift aims to support domestic firms

Viet Nam News HÀ NỘI —Vietnam will institute new policies designed to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) by boosting the development of local companies and setting up value chains driven by advanced technologies. FDI has been a major factor in Vietnam’s rapid socio-economic development; however, some key metrics remain below… – Continue reading

Has the New Inland Revenue Act paralysed the Double Tax Treaty Network of Sri Lanka? Part 2

7.What are Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement (MAAAs) The new IRA defines the “Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement” to mean a tax information exchange agreement or other international agreement for mutual administrative assistance in relation to taxation matters. Section 75 (5) of new IRA “Mutual administrative assistance agreement” means a tax information… – Continue reading

Bahamas ‘Must Address’ Beneficial Owner Access

The deputy prime minister has reiterated that The Bahamas “must address” access to beneficial ownership information for all corporate entities domiciled in this jurisdiction. KP Turnquest said the Government was looking to the Register of Beneficial Owners Bill 2018 as the solution, although beneficial ownership will not be publicly available…. – Continue reading

Bahamas Meets Tax Exchange Deadlines

The ministry of finance last night said The Bahamas had met the September 30 deadline to begin automatic tax information exchange (AEOI) with some 35 partner jurisdictions. Revealing that the first such exchange with another country had already occurred, the ministry said this further demonstrated The Bahamas’ commitment to meet… – Continue reading

NBR to set up tax unit for foreign cos

National Board of Revenue has decided to set up a separate unit to handle income tax files of foreign companies operating in Bangladesh. The decision was taken responding to a proposal of the European Union for establishing a separate NBR unit for providing hassle-free services to foreign taxpayers. EU came… – 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

Indian high commission seeks solution to tax-related problems

Indian high commission in Dhaka has requested different Bangladesh government agencies including National Board of Revenue to solve a number of tax-related ‘problems’ Indian chief executive officers-managed multinational companies are facing in the country. In a letter to NBR sent on September 10, the high commission said that Indian CEOs… – 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

New Zealand Law Foundation Report suggests accepting cryptocurrency

A recent report published by the New Zealand Law Foundation on regulating cryptocurrencies in New Zealand suggests the regulators of the country to start taking tax in crypto and trial a CBDC. The report, that is commissioned by the New Zealand Law Foundation and written by the University of Auckland… – Continue reading

Dubai enables investors to start businesses from remote locations

Investors globally will now be able to start their business in Dubai without having to be in the UAE, following an agreement between Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, and the US-based Alliance Business Centres Network (ABCN). The partnership… – Continue reading

Government mulls e-tax

The government is considering imposing taxes on companies’ digital revenue as a way of increasing public coffers by capitalising on the rapidly expanding digital commerce sector. Plans to establish a so-called ‘e-tax’ are in line with the government’s strategy to prepare for the fourth industrial revolution, said Aun Pornmonirath, Deputy… – Continue reading

German companies unconvinced by Brexit tax reduction promises: study

BERLIN, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) — German companies are highly sceptical that the British government can deliver on a promise to attract more business to Britain by lowering taxes after Brexit, a study published on Thursday by the Foundation for Family Business in Germany and Europe found. According to the study,… – Continue reading

IRS bank secrecy program has little impact on tax compliance

The Internal Revenue Service’s Bank Secrecy Act program, in which it is supposed to safeguard against money laundering, is having only a minimal impact on tax compliance, according to a new report. The report, from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, noted that the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting… – Continue reading

China to introduce more measures to facilitate foreign investment

BEIJING, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) — The Chinese government will roll out more measures to facilitate the delivery of major foreign-invested projects, lower tariffs on some imported goods and streamline customs clearance procedures at a faster pace, as was decided at the State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Li… – Continue reading