Europe

Emiliha Ferrão, a transfer pricing specialist at Thorning Koponen Consulting in Stockholm, Sweden, discusses the implications of a European Court of Justice ruling, issued January 20, on Swedish tax rules that limit deductions for some cross-border interest payments . . .

Europe

ActionAid, Christian Aid Ireland, Oxfam call on Ireland to drop opposition to public country-by-country reporting: Naomi O’Leary / The Irish Times→

Africa

Latest updates to EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions

Francesca Amaddeo, a Lecturer-Researcher at the Tax Law Competence Centre (SUPSI), Manno, Switzerland, discusses the February 22 update to the EU’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes . . .

Europe

Spain to scrutinize taxpayers’ transfer pricing positions in 2021

Pilar Barriguete and Edland Graci, Duff & Phelps, Spain, discuss the Spanish government’s priorities for tax enforcement, set out in a January 19 announcement . . .

G7 leaders reaffirm commitment to reach international tax agreement

February 23, 2021

G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment on February 19 to reach an agreement by mid-2021 on new international tax rules. During a first leaders’ meeting under the UK’s G7 presidency, the Group of Seven resolved to . . .

Europe

In a call with EU Commission’s Valdis Dombrovskis, US treasury secretary commits to re-engage in OECD-led global tax discussion: US Department of the Treasury→

February 23, 2021

Africa

Countries agree to new rules for private tax ruling transparency

February 22, 2021

An OECD-led coalition of 139 countries working together on cross-border tax issues known as the “Inclusive Framework on BEPS” has agreed to a new method for assessing whether countries meet global minimum standards for private tax ruling . . .

Austria

Trade groups sue over Maryland’s controversial tax on digital advertising

February 22, 2021

Four organizations have joined in a lawsuit challenging a new Maryland state law levying a tax on digital ad revenue – the latest twist in an ongoing dispute with international implications. The US Chamber of Commerce, the . . .

Africa

Proposed UN model treaty article on automated digital services is simpler than OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework proposal and preserves taxing rights of developing countries, IMF subcommittee says: International Monetary Fund→

Croatia

Croatia, Malaysia finalize multilateral tax treaty

Croatia and Malaysia have deposited their instrument of ratification for the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI), the . . .

Americas

Report estimates effective tax rates on investment in the EU member states, North Macedonia, Turkey, UK, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, and US: EU Commission→

Asia-Pacific

Japan-Spain tax treaty to enter into force in May

Japan and Spain recently completed the necessary steps . . .

Europe

EU Commission launches public consultation on VAT rules for financial and insurance services: EU Commission→

February 18, 2021

Africa

Feedback sought on UN model tax treaty provision clarifying taxation of software payments

A subcommittee of the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters has released a discussion draft and . . .

Africa

Analysis of MNE data in 34 countries shows that thin capitalization rules, by raising the cost of capital, can significantly affect real investment: International Monetary Fund→

Africa

UN model treaty draft article 12B allows developing countries to use more straightforward domestic rules to tax the digital economy, WBG staff writes: World Bank Group→

Europe

Netherlands adds new minimum substance requirements to conditional withholding tax anti-abuse rule

Roderik Bouwman and Rhys Bane, DLA Piper, Amsterdam, discuss the Netherlands government’s latest regulations clarifying the new conditional withholding tax on interest and royalty payments, which became effective on January 1. . . .

Asia-Pacific

EU Code of Conduct Group’s taxation work program released

Francesca Amaddeo, a Lecturer-Researcher, at the Tax Law Competence Centre (SUPSI), Manno, Switzerland, discusses the Council of the European Union’s February 9 release of the Code of Conduct Group’s new work plan under the Portuguese Presidency . . .

Digital Economy

Is the EU (unintentionally) undermining ongoing OECD work on digital taxation?

Oliver Treidler, TP&C GmbH, discusses the January 14 European Commission inception impact assessment and request for public feedback on the design of an EU digital levy . . .

Africa

OECD publishes assessment of cross-border tax dispute resolution in 13 more countries

The OECD on February 1 published assessments of the cross-border tax dispute resolution processes in Aruba, Bahrain . . .

Asia-Pacific

EU expected to again delay Turkey’s tax blacklisting, grant more time for compliance with tax information exchange standard: WION→

February 16, 2021

Europe

UK asks for public input on tax and regulatory changes needed to improve its investment funds regime: HM Treasury→

February 16, 2021

Europe

Ireland updates tax guidance on controlled foreign company rules to reflect Finance Act 2020 changes: Irish Tax and Customs→

February 16, 2021

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Europe

EU Code of Conduct Group (Business Taxation) publishes work program for Portuguese Presidency: European Council→

Africa

Stakeholders weigh-in on BEPS Action 14 standards for cross-border tax dispute resolution

Parwin Dina, Lead Client Service Partner and Global Tax Leader, GTS (Global Tax Services) UAE, discusses an OECD consultation meeting, held February 1, addressing OECD Secretariat proposals with respect to a 2020 review of BEPS Action 14, concerning cross-border tax dispute resolution . . .

Europe

Portugal increases taxes on the acquisition and ownership of real estate assets

Diogo Ortigão Ramos and João Pedro Russo, Cuatrecasas, Portugal discuss tax changes introduced by the Portuguese State Budget for 2021 which are effective January 1 . . .

Digital Economy

UK exploring options for new tax on online sales: Sky News→

Europe

Ireland updates tax guidance on company residence to reflect the end of transition period provided in the Finance Act 2014: Irish Tax and Customs→