Cyprus mulls law amendments for access to banking information

Cyprus mulls law amendments for access to banking information

Authorities in Cyprus are discussing amendments to the law that would require them to request access to individuals’ banking information in cases where taxes or duties levied on behalf of the European Union are involved. The amendments aim to harmonize with an EU directive on mutual assistance for the recovery of claims related to taxes, duties, and other measures. The flaw in the current Cypriot domestic law is that it does not explicitly state the obligation to request the lifting of banking secrecy when recovering taxes and duties. The proposed changes have the support of the finance ministry, the banking association, the Central Bank, and the Personal Data Protection Commissioner. The amendments specify that the authorities making requests to lift banking secrecy will be disclosed on a case-by-case basis.

Swords crossed over Turkish Cypriot properties

Swords crossed over Turkish Cypriot properties

Interior ministry and audit service are in disagreement over proposed changes to laws regulating the management of Turkish Cypriot properties. The interior ministry believes that allowing Turkish Cypriot properties to be inherited by relatives of refugees residing in them will resolve inequality and feelings of injustice among displaced persons. The ministry also stated that inheritance refers to the license to use the property, not ownership. Auditor-General Odysseas Michaelides expressed concerns that well-off individuals may end up with Turkish Cypriot properties, while homeless refugees may be left without housing. The committee chairman noted that there are reservations about the transfer of properties to non-refugees and potential political issues related to succession.

State stymied by delay in proposed changes by Larnaca port company

State stymied by delay in proposed changes by Larnaca port company

Fact: Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades clarified that stalled works on the multimillion euro Larnaca port revamp are due to a procedural hold-up by the managing company, Cypriot-Israeli consortium Kition Ocean Holdings.

Cyprus considers raising retirement age, ending multiple pensions for officials

Cyprus considers raising retirement age, ending multiple pensions for officials

Cyprus is debating pension reform, with a focus on modernizing the system and addressing sustainability concerns. Multiple pensions for government officials have emerged as a key point of contention, representing less than 10% of the strain on the system. The Ministry of Finance proposes raising the retirement age for government officials and parliamentarians to 65, aligning them with the general population. The International Labour Organisation is studying the Cypriot pension system and has highlighted the need for a balanced and sustainable system. Mercer analyzed 47 global pension systems, with European models performing the best. British Prime Minister Liz Truss sparked opposition for claiming a large annual pension after serving for only 44 days. Former UK Prime Ministers can claim the Public Duty Cost Allowance, but holders of the three great offices of state no longer receive a pension of half their last salary upon leaving office.

Thoughts On The UK Budget 2024 – Corporate Governance – Worldwide

Thoughts On The UK Budget 2024 - Corporate Governance - Worldwide

Fact: The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed changes to the taxation of non-domiciled individuals, with effect from 6th April 2025, shifting to a regime based on residence where all UK residents will pay UK tax on foreign income and gains following four years of residency.

Congress Manifesto 2024: Party Promises To Enact Direct Taxes Code, Abolish Angel Tax

Congress Manifesto 2024: Party Promises To Enact Direct Taxes Code, Abolish Angel Tax

The Congress Party has vowed to initiate a comprehensive overhaul of India’s tax system, labeling the past decade as a period of ‘taxation gone berserk’.

Biden’s tax-hike plan would cost the US economy nearly 800K jobs

Biden's tax-hike plan would cost the US economy nearly 800K jobs

President Biden has proposed tax hikes targeting corporations and wealthy Americans to reduce the national debt. The Tax Foundation found that these tax increases could reduce economic output by 2.2% in the long run, slash wages by 1.6%, and kill about 788,000 full-time equivalent jobs. Biden’s proposal includes a 25% minimum tax rate on households worth more than 0 million, raising the capital gains tax rate, quadrupling the corporate stock buyback tax to 4%, raising the corporate tax rate to 28%, increasing the Medicare tax paid by wealthy Americans, implementing a global minimum tax on multinational corporations, and closing the carried interest loophole used by private equity and hedge fund managers. The tax increases would reduce the federal deficit by about trillion and help fund new programs like a monthly tax credit for homeowners, child care subsidies, and lower prescription drug costs. The corporate income tax proposal is considered the most harmful to economic growth, with higher taxes on corporations alone potentially reducing GDP by 0.9%, wages by 0.8%, and full-time equivalent jobs by 192,000. The proposals are unlikely to gain support in Congress, especially from Republicans who control the House.

New Corporate Tax Increase Proposal and Focused IRS Audits – Is the Cost of Business Going Up? | JD Supra

New Corporate Tax Increase Proposal and Focused IRS Audits - Is the Cost of Business Going Up? | JD Supra

The Biden Administration has proposed corporate tax increases, including raising the corporate tax rate to 28% and imposing a minimum tax on high-income individual taxpayers. They also plan to increase taxes on offshore earnings and corporate aircraft, with a focus on cracking down on corporate jet loopholes. The IRS is conducting audits on corporate aircraft expenses to ensure proper allocation of expenses and income inclusion for personal use.

Driving investments: : Recto advocates for corporate tax cuts via CREATE Law

Driving investments: : Recto advocates for corporate tax cuts via CREATE Law

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto is pushing for amendments to the CREATE Act to attract investments to the Philippines. The law has already reduced the corporate income tax rate to 25% and proposed changes include further reducing it to 20% for certain corporations. The goal is to enhance the business climate, generate more jobs, and lift millions of Filipinos out of poverty by 2028.

“C’mon Man! Tax the Rich!” Business Owners Face Tax Increases* | JD Supra

“C’mon Man! Tax the Rich!” Business Owners Face Tax Increases* | JD Supra

Sen. Warren reintroduced her “Ultra-Millionaires” wealth tax proposal to the Senate, inspired by the Administration’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget which includes its own version of a wealth tax. The tax proposals are part of the upcoming contest for the White House and focus on tax avoidance by the wealthy. Business owners should familiarize themselves with the proposed changes to federal income tax and develop plans in response as there is a possibility that the Democrats may have another opportunity to turn their income tax agenda into law.