Other Briefings
The Philippines Calls for a Further Simplified Tax System
Over the past year, the Philippines has been making great strides in improving its business environment. Chief among these improvements has been the government’s efforts to simplify the country’s tax system. While the initial steps in this area have met with some success, there have been calls from within and outside of the government to further improve the tax system.
Malaysia GST: Implications for Manufacturers
Malaysia has introduced a new Goods and Services Tax of six percent. However, the country’s Customs Department has said that confusion over the new tax will last six months to a year. Consumer concerns regarding the GST have been over price increases, whereas businesses concerns have focused on compliance costs and its effect on competitiveness.
Malaysia GST Implementation on April 1, 2015
The Malaysian government is preparing to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on April 1, 2015.
Thailand’s Government to Cut Land and Buildings Tax and CIT Rates on SMEs
Thailand’s government has announced that it will be cutting the tax rates on its Land and Building tax, as well as on its Corporate Income Tax rates for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Cambodia Raises its Income Tax Threshold
At the beginning of January, Cambodia reduced the income tax burden on workers in the country. The government has raised its tax threshold from 500,000 riel (US$125) to 800,000 riel (US$200). The previous lowest income tax bracket had begun at 500,000 riel, at a rate of five percent. This change puts approximately US$3.75 a month back into the pockets of workers in Cambodia earning over US$200 per month.
Changes to Singapore Transfer Pricing Guidelines
On 6th January 2015, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (“IRAS”) released revised transfer pricing guidelines.
Philippines the First ASEAN Country to Join the EU’s General System of Preferences Plus (GSP+)
On December 18, 2014, the European Parliament officially granted the Philippines’ request for inclusion in the European Union’s (EU) General System of Preferences Plus (GSP+). The Philippines will soon be able to export, tariff-free, over 6,200 products (66 percent of all product tariff lines) to the EU, including processed fruit, coconut oil, footwear, fish, and textiles.
Singapore Signs IGA on FATCA with the United States
On December 9, 2014, Singapore became the first country in Southeast Asia to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on tax information sharing with the United States. The signing follows an in substance agreement reached between Singapore and the US in May 2014. Most countries around the world have been entering into IGAs with the US government since the US introduced a complex reporting and withholding regime through the passage of the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in March 2010.
Cambodian Government Preparing Standardized Tax Reports
The Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance is drafting standardized accounting procedures for small and medium-sized businesses. The main goal of the draft is to streamline bookkeeping, improve tax collection efforts for the government, and make it easier for lending institutions to evaluate loans.
Singapore to Reduce Property Taxes for HDB Flats
The Singaporean government has announced a range of property tax and other cost reductions for those living in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats. Starting January 1, 2015, HDB flat owners of three-, four-, and five-room units will see a three percent reduction in their annual rent. Additionally, owners of one-room and two-room HDB flats will continue to pay no property tax. This will be the second year that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has imposed progressive property tax reductions in order to reflect the cooling down of the property market – a slowdown mainly due to government intervention.
