Blog

France Issues Decree on VAT Representatives

France has recently published a decree on the obligations of foreign taxpayers to appoint a VAT representative. The decree amends a list of countries that have signed tax recovery assistance treaties with France. Foreign taxpayers established in the listed countries are not required to appoint a VAT representative to manage their VAT obligations in France. […]

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United Kingdom: Publication of VAT Notes 2017

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published Issue 1 of VAT Notes 2017, a newsletter providing VAT guidance to tax professionals. The current issue contains links to recently-published or revised HMRC notices, information on special schemes for alcohol and tobacco transactions, and a link to HMRC’s online VAT services. Four issues of “VAT Notes” […]

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France Outlines New Requirements for Accounting Software

Under a new measure that enters into force on January 1, 2018, VAT taxpayers will be required to use only “secured and certified ” software accounting systems when recording customer payments. To be “secured and certified,” accounting systems must meet specified requirements of inalterability, security, retention, and archival prowess. The French tax administration is authorized […]

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Mexico CFDI 3.3 and Complemento de Pagos Extension to December 1st, 2017

On May 12th, 2017, the SAT (Mexican tax authority) announced that it will be providing taxpayers an extension for the implementation of CFDI version 3.3 and Complemento de Pagos. Starting December 1st, 2017, all taxpayers will be required to comply with the CFDI version 3.3 and the Complemento de Pagos.  Although the CFDI 3.2 version […]

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Cayman Islands Opens Portal & Releases User Guide

The Cayman Islands has opened its AEOI Portal for CRS and FATCA notification and reporting.  In addition, a new portal user guide has been released.  The guide provides assistance with both the notification and reporting requirements.  Reporting Financial Institutions should keep in mind that there will be no CDOT functionality on the portal for this […]

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Mexico’s Payment Receipt Requirement Interrupts SAP Workflows

As Mexico attempts to better track the money flowing through its economy – and the taxes owed on said transactions – it recently introduced a new process requiring companies to submit payment receipts. This new mandate, which goes into effect on December 1, 2017, will affect both IT and business teams, yet is not supported […]

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Bermuda Releases CRS Guidance

Bermuda has published Guidance for Financial Institutions to follow with respect to the Common Reporting Standard.  Financial Institutions and their advisors should pay particular attention to the information as it covers many facets of the due diligence and reporting requirements.  In particular, the Guidance provides that the due date for this year’s reporting will be […]

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Bahrain Publishes CRS Legislation

Bahrain, a late adopter jurisdiction, has recently posted legislation (CRS Directive) concerning the Common Reporting Standard.  The legislation, though brief, does provide some important information for Financial Institutions.  Of note, Bahrain will require CRS returns to be furnished by May 2, and that FIs submit nil reports.  In addition, there is a list of Participating Jurisdictions […]

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Monaco Releases Updated CRS Guidance Publication

Monaco recently published an updated publication on the implementation of the automatic exchange of information. This publication relates to how financial institutions must report under the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS). This most recent update includes a few updates to existing language surrounding trusts, specifically with regard to controlling persons. The settlor, trustee, protector, or beneficiary […]

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UK Amendment Expands HMRC Investigative Powers and Liability Risk

In a move that creates increased liability and risk for non-compliant institutions and individuals in the United Kingdom, HM Treasury recently published an Amendment to the International Tax Compliance Regulations. In summary, the Amendment grants HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) additional power to police AEOI compliance and expands potential liability to both financial institutions and their […]

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Colombia’s DIAN Provides E-Invoicing Update

Now that Colombia’s e-invoicing pilot program has concluded, the country’s tax administration (DIAN) is evaluating lessons learned and next steps prior to unveiling its official e-invoicing legislation. Recently, Sovos was invited to attend a meeting with the DIAN to discuss its plans going forward. Our primary takeaway from the meeting? Nothing is certain yet. What […]

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India Updates AEOI Schema for Filing Year 2017

India recently published an update to Form 61B, which is part of the XML schema used by India for AEOI reporting. The two changes apply to the following fields: The XML Element Name “AcctCatg” was added under Form61B/PartBReportDetails/AccountDtls; The XML Element “CurrCode” was modified by providing all currency codes along with INR were added in […]

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OECD Publishes Updated FAQs and Informational Pages, Turkey Signs MCAA

The OECD has released the April 2017 version of its Frequently Asked Questions, which give detailed explanations on a variety of CRS topics. The following additional issues are addressed in the updated FAQ publication: Qualification of usufruct (a legal right to use and derive profit from property) for CRS purposes Identification of Controlling Persons of […]

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Three Approaches to E-Invoicing Taking Hold Across the Globe

Starting with Brazil in 2008, government-mandated e-invoicing has proven extremely effective in helping tax authorities gain visibility into corporate tax liability in order to close loopholes, eliminate fraud and maximize tax collections. The goal of e-invoicing requirements is to automate tax reporting so that governments no longer have to rely on businesses to self-report their […]

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United Kingdom Enacts Amendments to International Tax Compliance Regulations

The United Kingdom Parliament has passed a set of amendments to the previously enacted International Tax Compliance Regulations of 2015. This legislation governs the responsibilities of British Financial Institutions to comply with both the FATCA and CRS reporting regimes. These new regulations, which are scheduled to come into force on May 17, 2017, modify the […]

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U.S. Manufacturers Face Tax Reform Uncertainty

Tax reform is a primary focus in Washington right now, so it is important that U.S. manufacturers understand how changes could impact their business — particularly with regard to imports and exports. To prepare for these new tax rules, let’s examine how proposals such as raising import tariffs, the Border Adjustment Tax and indirect tax […]

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Luxembourg Opens Testing and Production Platforms for CRS Reporting

The Luxembourg Direct Tax Administration published a newsletter stating that it has opened its pre-validation (testing) and production environments for the filing of CRS returns. Filers are advised to carry out end-to-end tests on the pre-validation platform before submitting any reports. As was the case last year, the platform may be accessed using one of […]

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The Final Countdown to Hungarian Real-Time Reporting?

[UPDATE – June 2017] The likely decision to postpone the implementation of changes in VAT reporting has now finally been announced. Hungary has now postponed the entry into force of this requirement by one year until July 2018 for two reasons: To actually get the technical specification published well in advance To give taxpayers and […]

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