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On December 5 1997, Russian president Boris Yeltsin convinced the Duma to accept the 1998 budget at the first of three readings. Nevertheless, the decrepit taxation and budgetary system continues to hinder potential economic growth. Tax collection in Russia remained poor in 1997. David John, tax partner at Price Waterhouse in Moscow, says tax collection this year represented 52% of the budget. Government expenditure in 1997 represented 18.3% of GDP, while tax revenue was just 10.8%. The promise of radical revenue collection methods has failed to disguise a deteriorating system.

The first budget statement delivered on December 3 1997 by the new minister for finance, Charlie McCreevy, was also the first budget to be delivered before the start of the financial year. The minister used the opportunity presented by very high economic growth rates, and the resulting tax buoyancy, to make a number of significant tax changes. The minister has confirmed that with effect from January 1 2006, the standard corporation tax rate applicable to the trading profits of non-manufacturing companies (including financial services companies operating in the Dublin docks area whose 10% tax rate expires on that date) will be 12.5%. A higher rate of 25% will apply to the non-trading income of those companies. Manufacturing companies will continue to benefit from the lower 10% manufacturing tax rate until it expires at the end of 2010.

Germany’s ambitious and comprehensive programme of tax changes has not been realized, but Felix Klinger of Schitag Ernst & Young, Frankfurt alerts readers to the real reforms that have been effected in the shadow of this programme

The problem of surplus advance corporation tax has long been the bane of the UK multinational’s life. Now the ACT system is set for abolition. Murray Clayson of Freshfields, London considers the consequences, and the likely form of a successor shadow system

As the globalization of US multinationals proceeds at an ever-faster pace, tax planning opportunities can sometimes be overlooked. Capital restructuring is one such opportunity. Eli Fink and Eric Overman, Deloitte & Touche, New York examine the potential tax savings

After losing out to its Asian neighbours in attracting a number of big investment projects, the Australian government has announced a new investment programme which includes tax incentives. Ian Dinnison, of KPMG, Melbourne reports on the new attractions

Fee income figures for the big six firms show that the corporate appetite for international tax advice is voracious. Four of the firms plan mergers to help service this demand but, as Phillippa Cannon reports, alternative strategies exist

In an attempt to halt tax evasion, Germany's tax authorities are to consider offering rewards for information on evaders. Deputy finance minister Jurgen Stark announced on January 7 1998 that guidelines have already been agreed. To avoid being swamped by vindictive informants, the scheme is likely to apply only to large amounts of unpaid tax.

Fred Meyer, the US grocery chain, has reached agreement to purchase two rival chains; Quality Food Centers and Ralphs Grocery. Fred Meyer turned to law firm Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett in New York. Tax partner Steven Todrys is working on the transactions.

Arthur Andersen in Zurich provided tax advice on the merger of Zurich Insurance and the financial services division of BAT Industries (for prior coverage see ITR Dec/Jan 1998, p6). Tax partners Peter Athanas and Maja Bauer-Balmelli worked on the Zurich Insurance side of the deal.