Chris Lenon was the global head of tax at Rio Tinto and chaired the Tax Committee of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD. He chairs the Green Tax Group at Business Europe and has just launched a new website providing a rare business view on two of the more hotly debated issues in global taxation: green taxes and tax transparency. Lenon talks to Salman Shaheen about the need for tax directors to engage in such a crucial discussion.
The European Commission yesterday adopted the final proposal in a package of measures that is aimed at making the taxation of telecommunications, broadcasting and electronic services fairer and more business friendly. But Europe’s largest mobile telecommunications company does not believe it goes far enough to ease the administrative burden.
The financial transaction tax (FTT) was brought one step closer last week when the European Parliament voted to allow 11 member states to proceed with it under enhanced cooperation.
Companies explored a new route through Belgium to circumvent the UK's removal of low value consignment relief (LVCR) on Channel Islands mail order in April 2012, evidence has emerged. Jersey Post denies involvement, but retailers opposed to the scheme believe the option is still being looked at.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said last week that he is considering reinstating the sales tax, which could replace VAT. But while it has some advantages, there are a number of compelling reasons why Russia is unlikely to replace VAT with sales tax in the near future.
