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From: Jefferson VanderWolk

Japan's government has proposed extensive tax cuts to boost economic growth, against a background of bankrupt banks and securities houses. The package, announced in December 1997, includes cuts of ¥2 trillion ($15 billion) in income tax, and ¥840 billion in corporation tax (for related coverage, see this issue, page 48). Announcing the cuts, prime minister Hashimoto said Japan would not be responsible for pushing the global economy into recession. The package is expected to be adopted in the Japanese parliament, yet has been criticized for being inadequate and misdirected.

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.

UK department store Debenhams is to be introduced to the London Stock Exchange, following its demerger from The Burton Group. It is expected to have a market capitalization of approximately £1.5 billion ($2.4 million).

Spain's 1998 budgetary measures have introduced some amendments to the methods for mitigating economic double taxation of dividends distributed by non-resident subsidiaries. These methods are described briefly below.

In our previous article (see International Tax Review, Dec/Jan 1998, p55), we highlighted potential tax law changes proposed by Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The LDP's tax reform proposals have now been adopted by prime minister Hashimoto's Cabinet.

In June 1997, the Chinese government announced its intention to collect a withholding tax of 10% on interest derived by foreign banks on offshore inter-bank loans on-lent to their branches in China.

Captive insurance can be an efficient vehicle for protecting companies against risk. Chris Johnson of Norwich Union, Gibraltar examines the options on offer, the role of tax in reducing costs, and the appeal of Gibraltar as a domicile for the captive owner

Peter Vansteenkiste of Coopers & Lybrand, Antwerp and Eugene Weultjes of Coopers & Lybrand, Rotterdam assess the attractions of two traditionally expatriate-friendly regimes – Belgium and the Netherlands

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