Сергей Панов, Author at Finance Business Service

Canada has signed an agreement on international reporting

Published: Sergey Panov | 17/05/2016 | news

Canada has signed a multilateral agreement on reporting between countries. The first exchange of information is expected to be held in June 2018. Budget Canada 2016 includes a proposal to require companies with annual revenues of the consolidated group of USD 750 million or more, to submit annual reports on their income and taxes paid and accrued on the number of employees, capital, retained earnings and tangible assets for each tax jurisdiction in which they do business. Canada has the opportunity to share the information contained in the reports with tax treaty partners which also comply with the necessary standards of accountability. According to the Agency Revenue Canada, this information will allow countries to improve their ability to check and detect aggressive international scheme of tax evasion, as well as contribute to making global operations affected companies more transparent and that they pay the relevant taxes in the country which is generated by their profit. Currently 32 jurisdictions have signed the agreement on the international exchange of information. Canada noted that the signing of the agreement is part of a four-point action plan to...

Sweden, plan to combat tax evasion

Published: Sergey Panov | 16/05/2016 | news

Sweden announced that tax consultants should be obliged to inform the Swedish tax authority for tax planning schemes in the framework of the action plan to combat tax evasion, it also urges companies to preserve their own taxation policies at the board level. According to the Government, the introduction of the obligation for tax advisors can help the tax authorities to respond more quickly and close the scheme of tax evasion. This idea is part of the plan to combat tax evasion which encourages companies to tax issues on the agenda of board meetings. "Corporations should make tax policy and the system of internal control to ensure that the actions taken by corporate management,consistent with the opinion of the board on tax policy directors," according to the plan. The plan also calls for a review of the value added tax (VAT), as well as more effectively patrol the VAT system. Sweden also intends to launch an investigation into the effectiveness of penalties for incorrect tax returns. In addition, in order to counter the "informal" economy and the use of temporary labor the Government intends to seek the introduction of registers of staff in several...

Australia, a new tax code

Published: Sergey Panov | 13/05/2016 | news

Australian Council for Taxes and Levies published its final report on the new code of tax transparency for multinational corporations. The report is divided into two parts. The first part requires a reconciliation of the accounting profit to the income tax, and income tax paid or payable on profits; identification of significant temporary and permanent differences; and taking into account the effective tax rates and global operations. Part two requires taxpayers to provide detailed information on the approach to tax strategy and management; a summary of the tax contribution to corporate taxes; as well as information on international transactions. According to the report, "big business" with a turnover of more than AUD500 million. Should take both parts, while "medium business" with a turnover of at least AUD100 million but less than 500 million should adopt only the first part. The report highlights that the new tax code in its current form refers to companies and other entities that are considered for the purposes of Australian tax. Other organizations such as foundations, pension trusts and partnerships may voluntarily adopt a code if desired. Finally, the...

Sri Lanka, tax reform

Published: Sergey Panov | 12/05/2016 | news

Sri Lanka plans to make major changes in tax policy and administration in the framework of the economic program, which is supported by the International Monetary Fund loan (IMF). The two sides reached an agreement on the 36-month financing amounting to about USD 1.5 bn. The economic program aimed at increasing productivity which will reduce the budget deficit and public debt, as well as relieve pressure on the balance of payments, the fund reported. "The program of the authorities with the support of the IMF focuses on a set of reforms in the tax Sri Lanka's system - the elimination of exemptions and special rates broadening the tax base and creating a tax system that is simple, efficient and fairer," said Todd Schneider the head of the IMF mission in Sri Lanka. The government will seek to improve the ratio of taxes-to-GDP to about 15 percent by 2020 through the implementation of a new law on domestic revenue, VAT reform and the customs code. May 2, 2016, Sri Lanka has increased its rate of value added tax from 11 to 15 per cent to strengthen the finances of the nation. Author: Sergey Panovmanaging partner Finance Business...

Hong Kong, free trade negotiations with Georgia and the Maldives

Published: Sergey Panov | 11/05/2016 | news

The government announced that in Hong Kong in the near future there will be an agreement on free trade after negotiations with Georgia and the Maldives. The government also prepared a document for consultation to interested parties could submit proposals for the areas to be covered in the two agreements. "Georgia and the Maldives is the emerging markets with the potential for further growth. The conclusion of free trade agreements with these two countries is of strategic importance for Hong Kong. These agreements after their signing will enhance Hong Kong's trade network in their respective regions, including Eurasia" the spokesman said. "In order to minimize the risk of marginalization, it is important for Hong Kong to participate in the negotiation of free trade agreements. The negotiations with the mainland of China which is our largest trading partner, accounting for about 50 percent of the total trade, have a special importance for maintaining Hong Kong's position as a major trade and logistics center, "he added. The provisions of the two new free-trade agreements will include the elimination or reduction of tariffs; the liberalization of non-tariff...

The Ministry of Finance has improved the procedure of registration of VAT payers

Published: Sergey Panov | 10/05/2016 | news

Ministry of Finance in his order of March 18, 2016 № 373 made new changes to the Regulations on registration of payers of value added tax approved by order of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine from 11.14.2014, № 1130 (hereinafter - Regulation number 1130) that is simplified registration procedure for the future VAT payers. It has been established that if individual wants to register itself as a VAT payer then at first it must change the tax system taking into account the provisions of Article 293 of the Tax Code which sets tax rates for payers of the third group of the single tax providing for the payment of value added tax and do not provide the payment of the single tax. So now a VAT payer may indicate a new statement to the supervisory authority desired date of registration which was listed in the previous unaccepted application if eliminated all the shortcomings provided by the Regulation number 1130. In this case, a new application must be submitted no later than 3 working days before the beginning of the tax period when the such person shall be considered as a VAT payer. If a registration application to the supervisory authority is filed in electronic...

Another mitigating of the exchange restrictions on the monetary and foreign exchange markets of Ukraine by the National Bank

Published: Sergey Panov | 10/05/2016 | news

National Bank of Ukraine mitigates previously established restrictions on certain foreign exchange transactions on May 11, 2016. Thus, in the decision NBU number 308 of May 5, 2016 "On amendments to some legal acts of the National Bank of Ukraine" (hereinafter - the "Decree № 308"), it is assumed that now the company does not need to sell in foreign currency received for foreign investment in Ukraine. So this operation does not apply to the requirement for compulsory sale of funds in foreign currency at a rate of 75 percent as it was before. This rule will be in effect until June 8, 2016. Also the Decree number 308 reduced time for operations to reserve funds authorized banks in the national currency and for the transfer of funds in national currency on correspondent accounts of foreign banks from four to three business days. So now inclusive of the June 8, 2016 the National Bank of Ukraine will confirm the information within 3 days that the competent authorized banks in foreign exchange transactions will make the register. Besides this lifted the ban on the purchase of foreign currency funds for the products that had been imported to Ukraine before...

Panama agreed to adopt international standards of tax reporting

Published: Sergey Panov | 05/05/2016 | news

After the European powers threatened to make a raid on tax havens, Panama agreed to join the global standards of tax reporting. Secretary of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Angel Gurria, said that Panama agrees to comply with international standards, in spite of the differences which have arisen in the press, which emphasized Panama's refusal to cooperate in international efforts to curb tax evasion. "We have just received information that a few minutes ago Panama gave publicity that they will join the common accounting standards," he said at a press conference during the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington Gurria. "If this is so, then it's really good news, and we welcome this step. It is the silver lining of this incident" said Gurria. Adherence to the common accounting standards will come into force next year. "Panama's path to financial transparency is irreversible," said the Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama Isabel de Saint Malo. "To this end we willingly and actively support the diplomatic dialogue and internal reforms to address this global problem." ...

The fight against tax evasion in Poland

Published: Sergey Panov | 04/05/2016 | news

The new amendment to the tax legislation, which introduced anti-avoidance applies to all types of taxes (excluding value added tax (VAT), which offers other provisions in order to prevent evasion of VAT). It prevents the taxpayer to obtain a tax benefit as a result of artificial transactions. According to a draft legal transactions aimed at obtaining tax benefits, contrary to tax legislation should not result in a tax benefit. The transaction is considered to be artificial if it is carried out by a taxpayer whose objectives are contrary to tax legislation. However, taxpayers have the right to use "fixing the opinion" to the Minister of Finance, which includes a description of the planned transactions and their economic objective in use. The Minister shall consider the application and decide whether the described transaction designed to evade tax. The main objective of this innovation - is a multinational company which minimize their tax liability in Poland, through the application of measures of tax evasion. Therefore, the Polish Government proposes duly documented business solutions and plan business considering the new amendments. Author: Sergey...

Free Trade Agreement, EFTA – Philippines

Published: Sergey Panov | 29/04/2016 | news

Representatives of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland - and the Philippines signed a free trade agreement. The agreement was signed April 28, 2016 in the Swiss capital city of Bern. This agreement is based on a joint declaration on cooperation signed between EFTA and the Philippines in June 2014 in Iceland. And the negotiations on a free trade agreement began in March 2015. The agreement is comprehensive, covering: trade in goods, including industrial and agricultural, fish and other marine products; rules of origin; trade facilitation; sanitary and phytosanitary measures; technical barriers to trade; trade in services; investments; competition; protection of intellectual property rights; government procurement and sustainable development. According to the European Association of Free Trade, foreign trade in goods between the EFTA and the Philippines and increased by an average rate of 11 percent between 2005 and 2015. In 2015, total merchandise trade between EFTA and the Philippines was estimated at $ 863 million, with exports to the EFTA Philippines in the amount of $ 407 million, and exports from...

Author: Сергей Панов