Los impuestos en el mundo. Actualización al 25-Jun-2012

Canada Parliament Passes Canadian Budget Legislation Key elements of the 2012 Canadian Budget have passed their first legislative hurdle, an achievement that Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says positions Canada for long term-success. South Korea, Canada Plan More FTA Talks During a meeting between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper (pictured), it was agreed that the bilateral free trade agreement talks, which were interrupted in 2008, should be resumed by the end of this year. Canada Joins TPP Talks After months of signalling its interest to do so, Canada has received all-member support for its entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. China US, China Both Claim Victory In WTO Steel Dispute Both the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative have claimed success in the various findings of a World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel, regarding China’s imposition of anti-dumping and countervailing import duties on grain-oriented flat-rolled electrical steel from the United States. China Rare Earths Report Addresses WTO Concerns Following the request by several countries in March this year for consultations at the World Trade Organization on what they consider to be China’s unfair export restraints on rare earths, the State Council has published a white paper on the Chinese rare earth industry, in an attempt to explain and justify the government’s policies. China Lowers The Bar For Foreign Institutional Investors Following on from the expansion of the Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor scheme in Hong Kong in April this year, the China Securities Regulatory Commission is now consulting on an easing of the rules for foreign institutional investors in the domestic Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor programme. EU Germany's SPD Endorses EU Fiscal Pact During a recent party convention, Germany’s Social Democrats backed plans for the introduction of the European Union fiscal compact, aimed at ensuring greater budgetary discipline in Europe, albeit with certain provisos. US, EU Trade Group Issues Interim Report The High Level Working Group on trade and investment, co-chaired by the United States Trade Representative and the European Commissioner for Trade, and established following the meeting between European Union leaders and President Barack Obama in November last year, has issued its interim report. Japan US To Cooperate With Switzerland, Japan On FATCA The United States Department of the Treasury has jointly issued statements with Switzerland and Japan, expressing its intent to pursue frameworks with both countries for cooperation to facilitate the implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, and improve international tax compliance based on their bilateral tax treaties. UK UK Creative Industries Tax Breaks 'To Be World's Best' The UK's creative industries are set to benefit from new 'world class tax breaks' unveiled by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in a move designed to encourage innovation and investment. IRS Loses Scottish Power Interest Deduction Case The United States Tax Court has held against the challenge by the Internal Revenue Service against interest expense deductions taken on the USD4.9bn loan notes issued to Scottish Power, the UK power supplier, by its subsidiary NA General Partnership and Subsidiaries, to finance the latter’s acquisition of US utility PacifiCorp in 1999. UK Consults On Definition Of Tax Residence The UK government has unveiled the outline of its statutory definition of tax residence, issuing draft legislation that aims at replacing the current uncertain and complicated residence rules with a clear test that makes it simple for the taxpayer to use. Turks And Caicos Elections Scheduled UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has announced that there has been sufficient progress in the Turks and Caicos Islands towards the implementation of stringent governance frameworks, and the establishment of sustainable finances, for the islands to be returned to local rule in elections set for November this year. US East Africa, US To Pursue Trade And Investment Partnership Following a meeting on the sidelines of the recent African Growth and Opportunity Act Forum, the United States Trade Representative and the East African Community member states have issued a joint statement on a new trade and investment partnership. US Lawyers Urge FATCA Changes For Insurance The American Bar Association Section of Taxation has written to Douglas Shulman, Commissioner of the United States Internal Revenue Service, giving its comments on the proposed regulations implementing the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act as they relate to insurance issues. US, South Africa Sign Amended TIFA In order to deepen the United States-South Africa trade and investment relationship, the US Trade Representative Ron Kirk (pictured) and South Africa’s Minister of Trade Rob Davies have signed a trade and investment framework agreement, amending the one signed in 1999. US Senate Contemplates Year-End 'Fiscal Cliff' A hearing of the Senate Finance Committee has examined how the United States could avoid the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ at the end of the year, when the current reduction in individual tax rates expire, as do several other fiscal incentives. Otros temas Canadian Tax Policy On Innovation Seen Lacking The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has recommended that the government consider a review of tax policy on innovative activity to boost levels of spending on research and development.