Country news and VAT/GST essentials 

Angola

• Summary of tax reform (January 2012)

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Argentina VAT/GST essentials (PDF 639 KB)

• VAT refund extended for purchases made with debit cards (January 2012)

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Australia VAT/GST essentials (PDF 614 KB)

• No GST liability for air travel when passenger cancels the flight (September 2011)

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Austria VAT/GST essentials (PDF 618 KB)

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Belgium VAT/GST essentials (PDF 567 KB)

• Overview of tax law changes (February 2012)
• VAT exemption available for professional associations providing certain member-related services (January 2012)
• Guidance on suspended VAT deduction for private use of capital goods, including company cars (January 2012)
• Private use of business assets: possible higher VAT cost (December 2011)
• Tax proposals included in prospective federal government's future budgets (November 2011)

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Bolivia

• Decrees on tariff rate for diesel fuel imports, and agricultural subsidy for 2012 (February 2012)

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Botswana

• Botswana - Tax provisions in the 2011/2012 Budget (November 2011)

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Brazil VAT/GST essentials (PDF 581 KB)

• Rate reductions for excise tax, tax on financial transactions; enhanced refunds for certain manufacturing exporters (December 2011)
• Changes to rate of tax on industrialized products for certain imported vehicles (September 2011)
• Imports May Be Detained During Audit When Tax Authorities Suspect Irregularities ( July 2011)
• Reports of Issues with Customs Clearance Procedures (July 2011)

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Bulgaria VAT/GST essentials (PDF 563 KB)

• EC requests that state bailiffs be made subject to VAT (April 2012)
• The Bulgarian VAT System To Be Evaluated by the ECJ (March 2012)
• SAC: no VAT deduction on repairs of leased goods (January 2012)
• VAT changes to be effective in 2012 (December 2011)

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Canada VAT/GST essentials (PDF 716 KB)

• Update on status of (indirect) tax measures in 2012 budget (May 2012)
• Supreme Court restricts GST input credits on publicly funded project (May 2012)
• Summaries of recent trade developments (April 2012)
• Canada - Financial institutions—more GST / HST changes and more risks (April 2012)
• Canada - 2012 Federal budget highlights (March 2012)
• British Columbia announces HST-PST transitional measures (February 2012)
• GST / HST audits include tax governance interviews (January 2012)
• Tax accounting round-up—2011 tax changes (January 2012)
• Approaching deadlines for GST / HST reporting for pension plans (October 2011)
• Appeal court allows retroactive change to GST input tax credit allocation method (October 2011)

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Chile VAT/GST essentials (PDF 613 KB)

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China VAT/GST essentials (PDF 641 KB)

• Part 1: VAT for transportation and logistics sector – key impacts (May 2012)
• China issues administrative guidelines for claiming zero-rated VAT concessions (April 2012)
• Transfer of rights to use natural resources subject to China's business tax (January 2012)
• Concessions for exported services under Shanghai VAT pilot program (January 2012)
• Tax authorities issue guidance for implementing VAT pilot program in Shanghai; VAT to replace business tax beginning in 2012 (November 2011)
• VAT reforms to be implemented in 2012 (October 2011)
• Clarification of VAT refund incentives with respect to software product development (October 2011)
• VAT and indirect tax reforms; pilot program to be initiated in Shanghai beginning 2012 (September 2011)

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Congo (Democratic Republic of)

• Democratic Republic of Congo - Update on introduction of VAT (March 2012)

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Costa Rica VAT/GST essentials (PDF 575 KB)

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Croatia VAT/GST essentials (PDF 607 KB)

• Tax changes effective March 2012 include increased VAT rates (February 2012)
• VAT rates change and other tax measures (February 2012)
• Tax returns to be filed electronically in 2012 (January 2012)

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Curaçao VAT/GST essentials (PDF 588 KB)

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Cyprus VAT/GST essentials (PDF 736 KB)

• VAT rules for leasing pleasure boats (April 2012)
• Standard rate of VAT to increase beginning 1 March 2012 (February 2012)
• Failures to register and file timely VAT Information Exchange System statements may be subject to civil and criminal penalties (October 2011)

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Czech Republic VAT/GST essentials (PDF 812 KB)

• Changes to legislation and other topics (April 2012) (PDF 330 KB)
• VAT updates (April 2012)
• Local reverse charge under VAT rules (March 2012)
• Financial Update: amendments to the VAT act (February 2012) (PDF 266 KB)
• Financial Update: VAT aspects of the sale of inventory (January 2012) (PDF 256 KB)
• Financial Update: reverse charge applicable on building and assembly work (December 2011) (PDF 289 KB)
• Financial Update: Changing the rate of value added tax (September 2011)
• VAT corrections relating to receivables from debtors in bankruptcy (July 2011)

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Denmark VAT/GST essentials (PDF 711 KB)

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Ecuador

• Legislative proposals include "green" tax-related measures (November 2011)

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Estonia VAT/GST essentials (PDF 740 KB)

• VAT registration changes (April 2012)
• Changes to VAT law and other tax developments (March 2012)
• VAT on immovable property transactions (June 2011)

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Finland VAT/GST essentials (PDF 678 KB)

• Value Added Tax rates change in Finland on 1 July 2010 (April 2010)

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France

• Proposals for tax on financial transactions, increased VAT rate (February 2012)

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Germany VAT/GST essentials (PDF 737 KB)

• VAT Newsletter – March 2012 (implementation of GFKL case)
• VAT Newsletter – January/February 2012
• EC request for changes to VAT rate applicable to art and collectors’ items (February 2012)
• VAT Newsletter – December 2011: VAT in transfer of a business as a going concern; changes in VAT law at year-end
• VAT Newsletter – November 2011: application of ECJ judgments
• New rules for electronic invoicing for VAT purposes (October 2011)

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Hong Kong

• Special Stamp Duty comes into effect (July 2011)

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Hungary VAT/GST essentials (PDF 748 KB)

• Special telecom tax is referred to ECJ (March 2012)
• Change in the deadlines for VAT refund claims (January 2012)
• Tax audits from a combined green tax/VAT perspective (December 2011)
• VAT rate to be highest in Europe (November 2011)
• Proposed tax law amendments 2012 (October 2011)
• Provisions increasing excise tax rates are effective November 1st (September 2011)
• ECJ holds regulation cannot endlessly postpone VAT refunds (July 2011)

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Iceland VAT/GST essentials (PDF 711 KB)

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India VAT/GST essentials (VAT) (PDF 554 KB) | VAT/GST essentials (Service Tax) (PDF 622 KB)

• Tax proposals in Union Budget 2012 (March 2012)
• Service tax for construction services (February 2012)
• Customs guidance on self-assessment process; payment for shrink wrapped software is royalty under income tax treaties (December 2011)
• Amount excluded from "export turnover" also excluded from "total turnover," and tax relief for supplies of goods to platform in economic zones (October 2011)
• Courts address issues relating to service tax on rental of immovable property (October 2011)
• Service tax forms to be filed electronically beginning October 1st (September 2011)

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Indonesia

• Summary of VAT implementing regulation (April 2012)
• At re-registration of taxable entities in 2012 (April 2012)
• VAT Implementation Regulations: significant changes (March 2012)
• VAT not imposed on certain goods imported for upstream oil and gas, geothermal exploration (March 2012)
• Bonded zones guidelines are revised (March 2012)

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Ireland VAT/GST essentials (PDF 886 KB)

• Taxing Time: Update on Finance Act 2012 (April 2012)
• Taxing Times: Finance Bill 2012 & Current Tax Developments (February 2012) (PDF 1.98 MB)
• EC requests modification of tax regime for certain motor vehicles (January 2012)
• Tax Monitor: Ireland looks to VAT to bridge gap (December 2011) (PDF 577 KB)
• Summary of indirect tax measures in Budget 2012 (December 2011)
• VAT partial exemption and investment management (September 2011)
• Update on VAT treatment of aircraft supplies, insurance and other financial services (July 2011)

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Italy VAT/GST essentials (PDF 972 KB)

• Summary of changes to VAT law (December 2011)
• VAT rate increase to 21% is effective 17 September; other changes are also enacted (September 2011)

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Japan VAT/GST essentials (PDF 645 KB)

• 2011 Tax Reform (July 2011)

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Latvia VAT/GST essentials (PDF 866 KB)

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Lithuania VAT/GST essentials (PDF 942 KB)

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Luxembourg VAT/GST essentials (PDF 1241 KB)

• Rules allowing VAT exemption for services provided by independent groups of persons to members do not comply with EU law (January 2012)
• Reduced VAT rate of 3% will apply to e-books beginning in 2012 (December 2011)
• VAT authorities publish updated information on FAIA (November 2011)
• Luxembourg - VAT-free zone regime is effective October 1 (October 2011)

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Malta VAT/GST essentials (PDF 851 KB)

• VAT Amnesty Scheme (November 2011)
• VAT on Yacht Leasing in Malta (July 2011)

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Mexico VAT/GST essentials (PDF 554 KB)

• Electronic reporting of customs information (February 2012)
• New Focus on VAT Collection Concerning IMMEX Transactions ( July 2011)

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Namibia VAT/GST essentials (PDF 552 KB)

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Netherlands VAT/GST essentials (PDF 819 KB)

• New VAT rules for travel services, hotels, meeting organizers (April 2012)
• Tax aspects of the Stability Pact 2012 – VAT rate increase (April 2012)
• New rules VAT adjustment for the private use of company cars (July 2011)
• Reduced VAT rate for renovation if work has started before July 1, 2011 (June 2011)

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New Zealand VAT/GST essentials (PDF 578 KB)

• Remedial tax matters Bill introduced (September 2011)

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Nigeria

• VAT on transfer of oil concession and other business-related developments (September 2011)

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Norway VAT/GST essentials (PDF 815 KB)

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Pakistan

• Sales Tax on Services Act, 2011 (July 2011)

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Panama VAT/GST essentials (PDF 581 KB)

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Peru VAT/GST essentials (PDF 565 KB)

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Philippines VAT/GST essentials (PDF 592 KB)

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Poland VAT/GST essentials (PDF 863 KB)

• Re-assessment turnover of transactions between related parties for VAT purposes (January 2012)
• Amendments to the VAT Act and the Law o Measures Act (March 2011)
• Repeal of VAT Security Requirements for Imported Goods (January 2011)

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Portugal VAT/GST essentials (PDF 869 KB)

• ECJ finds customs authorities’ lack of diligence regarding insufficient guarantee justifies a refund of customs duties (March 2012)
• Transfer pricing rules for VAT purposes (December 2011)

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Romania VAT/GST essentials (PDF 884 KB)

• Increase to VAT-registration threshold is approved by EU (April 2012)
• Changes to the Norms for the application of the Fiscal Code (February 2012)
• Amendments to the form and content of the Value Added Tax Return (January 2012)
• Changes to the VAT exemption for some operations (July 2011)
• Change in specific excise duties for cigarettes from 1 July 2011 (June 2011)

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Russia

• VAT effects of sale discount vs. bonus (April 2012)
• Russia’s accession to the WTO: prospective development (February 2012)
• Overview of recent VAT changes (December 2011)
• Changes in the VAT law Are you ready? (August 2011)

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Serbia VAT/GST essentials (PDF 885 KB)

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Singapore VAT/GST essentials (647 KB)

• Special Stamp Duty comes into effect (August 2011)

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Slovakia VAT/GST essentials (914 KB)

• Changes to legislation and other topics (April 2012) (PDF 330 KB)
• Changes in VAT legislation with effect from 2012 and 2013 (October 2011)

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Slovenia VAT/GST essentials (PDF 915 KB)

• Slovenia - VAT changes are enacted (November 2011)
• New rules for remittances of tax payments (September 2011)

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South Africa VAT/GST essentials (PDF 589 KB)

• Voluntary Disclosure Program Includes Measures for VAT Defaults (June 2011)

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South Korea VAT/GST essentials (PDF 527 KB)

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Spain VAT/GST essentials (PDF 961 KB)

• EC requests changes to excise taxes (April 2012)

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Sri Lanka VAT/GST essentials (PDF 589 KB)

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Sweden VAT/GST essentials (PDF 898 KB)

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Switzerland VAT/GST essentials (PDF 900 KB)

• Main points of interest concerning the finance industry (April 2012)

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Taiwan VAT/GST essentials (PDF 595 KB)

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Thailand VAT/GST essentials (PDF 587 KB)

• Additional measures issued for flood relief on customs duty (December 2011)
• Introduction of new measures providing exemption from and reduction of customs duties (October 2011)
• VAT tax invoice (June 2011)

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Turkey VAT/GST essentials (PDF 608 KB)

• Increased rates of special consumption tax and resource utilization support fund (October 2011)

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United Kingdom VAT/GST essentials (PDF 941 KB)

• Indirect Tax Update 16/12 (week commencing 30 April 2012) (PDF 165 KB)
• Indirect Tax Update 15/12 (week commencing 24 April 2012) (PDF 133 KB)
• Indirect Tax Update 14/12 (week commencing 16 April 2012) (PDF 134 KB)
• Indirect Tax Update 13/12 (week commencing 2 April 2012) (PDF 206 KB)

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Ukraine

• Guidance on allocation of VAT credit for fixed assets (February 2012)
• Increased civil penalties for illegal transfers of goods, and other customs-related developments (February 2012)
• New customs code is approved (November 2011)

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USA

• This Week In State Tax (TWIST): 23 April 2012
• Inside Indirect Tax
• TaxNewsFlash - Trade & Customs

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Venezuela VAT/GST essentials (PDF 616 KB)

• VAT Exemption for Certain Goods Used in Petrochemical Sector (July 2011)

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Vietnam VAT/GST essentials (PDF 587 KB)

• Recent guidance concerns corporate income tax and VAT (April)
• VAT changes effective March 2012 for banks and financial services (February 2012)
• VAT changes, effective 2012 (January 2012)
• VAT treatment for advertising and promotional expenses and for certain payments to foreign contractors (September 2011)

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