Los impuestos en el mundo. Actualización al 05-Mar-2012

Canada Canada, China Strengthen Commercial Relationship Canada and China have made progress in negotiations toward a foreign investment promotion and protection agreement and inked a series of agreements designed to strengthen their commercial relationship. China US Study Attacks Chinese 'Innovation Mercantilism' A paper issued by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation in Washington, DC, entitled ‘Enough is Enough: Confronting Chinese Innovation Mercantilism’, attacks the seeking by China of not merely competitive advantage, but absolute advantage in a wide range of industries, especially advanced technology products and services. China To Expand VAT Pilot To Beijing Following the beginning of China’s pilot scheme to replace the existing business tax on the country’s service sector with value-added tax in Shanghai on January 1 this year, it has been confirmed that it will be extended to Beijing, commencing on July 1. EU EU Opens FTA Talks With Armenia The European Union has confirmed its decision to launch negotiations with Armenia towards a deep and comprehensive free trade area to boost bilateral trade and investment ties. Japan Japanese TPP Negotiations Depends On US Go-Ahead While the Japanese government has now concluded a first round of talks with each of the nine countries that are presently in negotiations for an extension to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, it is becoming apparent that it will be up to the United States to make the final decision whether to allow Japan to join those negotiations. UK UK Tax Revenues Below Expectations Growth in the UK's tax revenues was significantly lower than forecast, largely due to a fall in value added tax and weak self-assessment receipts. UK Blocks Tax Avoidance Scheme The UK has taken steps to close what it calls two highly abusive tax avoidance schemes, disclosed to HM Revenue and Customs by a bank. Barclays Responds To Tax Controversy While Barclays has confirmed that it is the bank at the centre of what HM Revenue and Customs has called two abusive tax avoidance schemes, it has stressed that it 'takes its responsibilities as a corporate citizen very seriously' and complies 'with the letter and spirit of all our obligations' under the UK banking code of conduct. UK QROPS Proposals 'Grossly Unfair On Guernsey' Changes to tax regulations that aim to clamp down on the mis-selling of qualifying recognized overseas pension schemes will disproportionately affect Guernsey, which has a completely clean QROPS record with the UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs, according to a leading Guernsey QROPS provider. HMRC Responds To Transparency Concerns The UK tax authority HM Revenue and Customs claims that new governance arrangements will bring greater transparency, scrutiny and accountability to significant tax disputes. US US Announces USD3.6bn In Tax Credit Awards The United States Treasury Department has announced the award of USD3.6bn in New Markets Tax Credits, which permit individual and corporate taxpayers to receive a credit against federal income taxes for making equity investments in vehicles known as Community Development Entities. US Slaps Duties On Korean Power Transformers The US Department of Commerce has announced the introduction of anti-dumping duties following an investigation into South Korean large power transformers. WTO Announces Progress On Trade Disputes The World Trade Organization's Dispute Settlement Body at its meeting on February 22, 2012, established a panel to examine US anti-dumping measures on Korean steel products, and adopted a report in respect of China's export restraints on certain raw materials. US Bill To Legitimize US Countervailing Duties In a move that was said to be critical to levelling the playing field for United States businesses facing unfairly subsidized imports, bipartisan legislation has been introduced in Congress which confirms that the Commerce Department can continue to apply countervailing duties to non-market economies, such as China. Otros temas Austria Hikes Bank Tax Austria’s federal government plans to finance the budgetary costs of supporting and securing the long-term survival of the Austrian Volksbank 'by means of a contribution from the banking sector', according to the finance ministry. Otros temas Canadian Minister Highlights New Pension Vehicle Canada's new pension vehicle will help small and medium-sized businesses compete in the jobs market, the Minister in charge has said. Otros temas Canada's Tax Revenues On The Up Canadian tax revenues were up 6.8% in December, with revenue from the first eight months of the fiscal year increasing by 4.2%.