Repatriating reinsurance vehicle Bruno Gouthiere, of Bureau Francis Lefebvre, Paris analyzes the reasons for repatriating a Luxembourg captive reinsurance business back to France
Daimler - Chrysler merger Eugen Bogenschütz and Kelly Wright of Haarmann, Hemmelrath & Partner, Frankfurt-am-Main analyze the structure and outcome of the 1998 Daimler-Chrysler merger
Slovakia slashes corporate tax Slovakia has reduced its corporate tax rate from 40% to 29% as part of the 2000 budget, in a bid to attract increased foreign investment. The cabinet passed a draft version of the budget which was accepted by parliament on November 24. The new law comes into effect January 1.
New powers for the Inland Revenue to demand information The UK Inland Revenue published on November 29 1999, details of a proposed new power to obtain information relating to suspected serious tax fraud.
Brazil tax package revived You can't take your eye off Brazil for a second these days. Proposals for the country's long-awaited tax reform package, which looked dead in the water in November, should have been completed by January 15, according to the Brazilian government.
Japanese consolidation delayed Japan's plans to introduce a consolidated tax system appear to have stalled. The Ministry of Finance has announced that it is doubtful that they will be able to honour the April 2001 deadline originally set.
Big five step cautiously into 2000 Brave man, that Andrew Jones. Ernst & Young's vice chairman of international tax and legal avoids the usual superlatives and gives a candid verdict on his firm's 1999 performance: "It's been a bit lumpy."
Germany stunned by corporate tax cuts The German government has announced sweeping tax cuts which include full tax exemption on capital gains.
Foreign companies to lose tax breaks in China China has announced that it intends to scale down its preferential tax policies for foreign companies.
EU deadlock gives OECD chance to show its teeth And so the EU's December conference in Helsinki ended not with a bang, but a whimper.
Tax and loathing on the campaign trail The issue of corporate tax shelters and loopholes is becoming an unlikely early battlefield for Republican and Democrat candidates in the run-up to the US elections.
Estonian reforms tax dividend payouts Estonia has passed new corporate tax legislation designed to encourage further investment.
Mexico's balancing act The use of the maquiladora vehicle has proved to be efficient for US corporations operating in Mexico.
Fighting for balance, not harmony The OECD’s work on harmful tax competition has might be a Trojan horse for the implementation of hamonization across the world
India’s tax web catches foreigners Under two recent advance rulings, foreign investors in India may be subject to amendments to the Finance Act, designed to prevent Indian companies taking undue advantage of certain concessions. Keyur Shah, Arthur Andersen, Mumbai reports
IRS blocks box options The IRS has issued new regulations that further limit the use of check-the-box tax planning techniques used by US companies for their foreign subsidiaries. Keith Martin of Chadbourne & Parke assesses the extent of the new restrictions
ECJ opens window for tax credits Foreign companies that trade in the UK may wish to peruse two recent cases in the ECJ that cast doubt on the legality of restrictions on foreign tax credits. Murray Clayson of Freshfields, London advises companies that may have a claim to act swiftly
French APAs offer mixed blessings France’s advance rulings regulations offer companies a greater sense of security for their intra-group transactions. However, securing approval may leave some companies feeling dangerously exposed. By Caroline Silberztein, Mazars & Associés
Ralph extends debt definition Australia’s thin capitalization rules are covered in the wholesale tax reforms put forward in the Ralph Report. Peter van den Broek of Clayton Utz, Melbourne outlines the likely changes and their impact for international operations
