Blog

Croatia Revises Web Application User Manual for FATCA

The Croatian Tax Administration has issued a revision of its Web Application User Manual to be used in conjunction with FATCA transmittals. The Manual has two substantive updates that should be noted: The Manual now includes a link to access the web application’s production environment for transmitting FATCA XML files to the competent authority. The […]

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Hong Kong Publishes Instructions for Occupational Retirement Schemes (ORS)

In response to the submissions made through the OECD disclosure facility, Hong Kong’s Inland Revenue Department has published guidance for the use of Occupational Retirement Schemes.  In part, the guidance instructs that only those schemes registered under the proper ordinance are considered non-reporting financial institutions.

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Portugal Releases FATCA Schema Guidance

Portugal has released guidance for the proper formatting of FATCA XML returns.  Portuguese Financial Institutions should review the document before the July 31 due date to ensure that their return will be compliant.

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Bulgaria Will use OECD’s CRS Schema

Bulgaria has recently announced that it will require its Reporting Financial Institutions to use the schema designed by the OECD for this month’s CRS reporting.  On its AEOI website, Bulgaria has provided samples and schema files to assist.  In addition, there is a list of Reportable Jurisdictions published.  As a reminder, CRS reports are due […]

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OECD Gets First Results from Disclosure Facility

Last month, the OECD launched its public disclosure facility in order for interested parties to submit potential schemes they believe are being used to circumvent the Common Reporting Standard.  The facility’s goal is to understand these schemes or loopholes to further strengthen CRS’s effectiveness in promoting greater transparency.  Within a month, the OECD had received […]

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IRS Issues Revised Publication 5118, FATCA Online Registration User Guide

The IRS has published an updated version of its FATCA Online Registration User Guide. The purpose of this publication is to guide Financial Institutions and Direct Reporting Non-Financial Foreign Entities (NFFEs) to register themselves and their branches as a Participating Foreign Financial Institution (PFFI), a Registered Deemed-Complaint FFI (RDCFFI), a Sponsoring Entity, a Direct Reporting […]

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Germany Publishes New CRS Infobrief

The German Tax Office has published a new Infobrief containing information relevant to this year’s CRS filing season. The Infobrief covers a variety of topics, including the following: Opening of CRS production environment: Filers are now able to transmit CRS data as of June 1, 2017. The portal will be open for transmittals through the […]

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UK Seeks to Eliminate “Use and Enjoyment” Provision for Certain Telecommunication Services

The UK government has introduced draft legislation that would apply VAT to telecommunications services used outside of the European Union by private UK customers. Under current “use and enjoyment” provisions, such services are not subject to VAT when used outside of the EU. The government claims that this change will remove any ambiguity about place […]

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AEOI Updates: May 2017

Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) legislation is constantly evolving worldwide as the standard is rolled out around the world. The Sovos Regulatory Analysis team continually monitors new regulations and updates across the globe and publishes them in our Regulatory Feed. Here are some important changes that occurred in recent weeks: IRS Releases Draft Instructions for FATCA […]

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Montana Moves Up W-2 and 1099 Due Date to January 31

Montana recently announced in its Employers’ Withholding Tax Guide that they have moved up their reporting due date for forms with Montana state withholding. Forms MW-3, W-2, and 1099s with Montana state withholding are now due by January 31st. Previously, these forms were due on February 28th. 

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Guernsey Gives CRS Extension to July 31

Guernsey has announced (Bulletin 2017/4) that it will push back its CRS deadline to July 31.  Please note, the deadline is only expected to be for this year’s reporting.  Moreover, the FATCA deadline (June 30) remains in place.

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Spain Enacts New Mandate Regarding the SII

Spain has issued Ministerial Order HFP/2017, which establishes the technical requirements for the implementation of the Immediate Remittance of Information system, locally known as SII. According to this new order, the effective date of the mandate is July 1, 2017. The order officially describes the information that should be sent to the Spanish tax authorities for […]

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Massachusetts Develops a Novel Approach to Nexus – What It Means To Ecommerce Sellers

Massachusetts is attempting to avoid a head-on challenge to Quill, opting instead for rules that stretch — but attempt not to break — the physical presence standard. Internet vendors should take serious note of Massachusetts’ new approach to defining what constitutes physical nexus. If you partake in one of these three types of common activities, […]

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Tacoma Washington Plastic Bag Ban

Last July the City of Tacoma, Washington passed Ordinance No. 28367, a “Bring Your Own Bag Ordinance.” This law bans the distribution of disposable plastic bags by retailers and imposes a minimum five cent fee on paper bags.  Retailers (including restaurants), will be allowed to keep this fee. The law does not apply to bags for […]

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ACA to Remain the Law of the Land as House Fails to Hold Vote

The short-lived American Health Care Act (AHCA) legislation came to an anticlimactic end, as Congress neglected to hold a vote on the bill after failing to gain adequate support. President Trump’s executive order to “ease the burdens” of the ACA still stands, and executive agencies including the IRS and the Department of Health and Human Services […]

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India Announces GST Rates on Specific Goods and Services

On May 18, the Indian GST Council met and determined the GST rate applicable to specific goods and services. The rate structure was set previously, containing four slabs (5%, 12%, 18% and 28%) and a zero rate. The new rate schedules were published by the Central Board of Excise and Customs and are available here under “GST Rates.” The […]

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IRS Releases Draft Instructions for Form 8957, FATCA Registration

The IRS has published the 2017 draft of the Instructions for Form 8957, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Registration. The purpose of this publication is to provide guidance to Financial Institutions and Direct Reporting Non-Financial Foreign Entities (NFFEs) in registering themselves and their branches (if applicable) as one of the following: Participating Foreign Financial […]

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Thailand Publishes Seminar on Reporting Information under FATCA

The Thai Revenue Department has released a previously given presentation that provides details on the process of submitting FATCA transmittals in Thailand. The presentation offers instructions on the FATCA IGA generally, sending a report file via IDES, and preparing a report file according to the FATCA XML Schema v2.0. SinceThailand has adopted a Model 1, […]

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