Tag: government

France – reduction of the VAT threshold for distance sales as from 1 January 2016 suggested

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

On 30 September 2015 the French government presented the draft of the Finance Act for 2016. The most interesting piece seems to be reduction of  the VAT threshold for distance sales made in France by a supplier established in another EU Member State from EUR 100’000 to EUR 35’000 (article 3 of the Bill).
This needs to be confirmed as the draft will be discussed in the coming months.

For further details please contact my colleague from PwC Geneva: Patricia More / patricia.more@ch.pwc.com / +41 58 792 9507

New Zealand – Taxing by the megabyte – proposed changes to the GST treatment of the digital economy

Michaela Merz1 Comment

People walking in a plaza/square - PwC, Photo_RGB_PC_ 442.jpgAs widely anticipated, the Government of New Zealand has released a discussion document on the GST treatment of digital products and other services purchased online by New Zealand consumers. The analysis in the discussion document is based on the OECD guidelines for applying GST to cross-border services and intangibles (e.g. music, movie, and game downloads).Read More »

Australia – Taxation of digital services provided by foreign companies

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SONY DSCOn 9 April 2015, the Australian Treasurer announced that the government will be introducing new GST measures aimed at overseas companies supplying digital services into Australia. The Treasurer stated that “a company providing intangible services into Australia, such as media services or so on, wherever they are located they should charge GST on those services.”Read More »

Webcast on the Indian Union Budget 2015!

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

People walking outside an office building - PwC, Photo_RGB_PC_ 395.jpgThe government in India announced its Budget (including tax and policy proposals) on February 28, 2015. As this is stated to be the first serious Budget for the new government after being elected 8 months ago, the government likely will push through significant policy measures to revive economic growth and boost foreign investment. Read More »

Hungary – Creative taxation: Internet Tax proposed

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

Technology - using an iPad inside PwC office, PwC NYC Technology-6.jpgEarlier this week the Hungarian government submitted its proposed tax bill for 2015. One of the most interesting changes is the proposed introduction of the “Internet tax” that will be imposed on Internet service providers at a rate of HUF 150 (approx. USD 0.60) for every gigabyte of data or part thereof. By way of example, downloading a movie in HD quality (8.5 GB) would attract a tax charge of approx. USD 5 or the download of a 6GB game would have an additional cost of approx. USD 4 according to the original version of the proposal. You may expect that providers will try to recharge this cost to their customers, which makes surfing even more expensive.Read More »

France – 1% tax on electronic media devices proposed (Acte II de l’exception culturelle)

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

On the 13th of May, the French government published a 700-page long report on the possible options to safeguard and maintain the financial support of the national culture industry. The government is of the opinion that the digitalization of distribution channels for commodities with cultural content such as films, music and books, Read More »

Shanghai – Oriental Pearl TV Tower and one child policy

Michaela MerzLeave a comment

Exactly on the last day of my stay in Shanghai the “space capsule“ on the highest floor of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower reopened after 3 million renovation works. It’s true that the entry ticket is quite expensive. But what are 220 Yuan (around 35 US Dollars) compared to the panoramic view from the three observatory decks at 339 meters! That would have been true if there were no pollution. The view outside was disappointing because the poor air quality impaired the visibility. So I could not take a picture!!Read More »