China to spread pilot VAT general taxpayer qualification project in integrated free trade zones

The State Taxation Administration, the Ministry of Finance and the General Administration of Customs issued a joint announcement on August 16 confirming their decision to spread the pilot general taxpayer qualification of enterprises’value added tax (VAT) throughout integrated free trade zones. 

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South Korea - 2020 Budget Planned to Support Industry and Innovation

The government proposed an expanded budget for 2020, worth 513.5 trillion won, with its focus on boosting the economy and promoting innovation.  Total expenditures will be increased by 43.9 trillion won, or 9.3 percent, compared with the 2019 budget. 

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Ireland - New Preclearance process to be introduced to help Non-EEA de facto partners of Irish citizens live and work in Ireland

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, is launching a new streamlined preclearance process to make it easier for Irish emigrants to return home with their Non-EEA de facto partners.

Under the new process, de facto partners of Irish citizens will be allowed to apply for their permission to reside in the country before they travel to Ireland.

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UK - Brexit Secretary signs order to scrap 1972 Brussels Act - ending all EU law in the UK

The Government has signed into law legislation to repeal the Act of Parliament which set in stone Britain’s EU (EEC) membership in 1972.

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Hong Kong - Financial Secretary (FS) announces measures to support enterprises and residents

The Hong Kong economy faced significant downward pressure in the second quarter. The situation has turned even more austere in recent months. 

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Washington - IRS automatically waives estimated tax penalty for eligible 2018 tax filers

The Internal Revenue Service is automatically waiving the estimated tax penalty for the more than 400,000 eligible taxpayers who already filed their 2018 federal income tax returns but did not claim the waiver.

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Australia - ATO watching for foreign income this Tax Time

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is urging taxpayers who receive any foreign income from investments, family members or working overseas to make sure they report it this tax time. 

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Taiwan - Labor Ministry committee sets minimum monthly wage hike at 3%

A Ministry of Labor (MOL) committee decided Wednesday to raise Taiwan's minimum monthly wage by 3 percent and the minimum hourly wage by 5 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

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United States and Canada Implement Preclearance Agreement

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced, in partnership with the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, the implementation of an agreement to improve mutual security and expedite lawful travel through preclearance for travelers and their accompanying baggage on certain transports.

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Generous incentives on offer for high-caliber talents in Hangzhou

Hangzhou Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau recently released a revised list of the classifications for high-caliber talents in Hangzhou, local media reported on Aug 12.

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ICA To Trial Beta Version Of “SG Arrival Card” e-Service And Mobile Application With Selected Transport Operators

From 14 August 2019, ICA will be extending the trial with the launch of the beta version of the “SG Arrival Card” e-Service on the ICA website and mobile application.Foreign visitors travelling via selected transport operators can then submit the electronic arrival card up to 14 days ahead of their arrival in Singapore. 

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China - Shanghai municipal government has announced a total of 40 policies to further open up the city's service industry

Shanghai municipal government has announced a total of 40 policies to further open up the city's service industry, in the hope of creating a comprehensive round of opening-up of Shanghai and further enhancing the city's competitiveness in the international market.

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China - Tianjin continues ramping up incentives for foreign experts

Tianjin in North China has taken the lead in the country to help foreign experts pay their pension and provident funds for property purchases, the municipal foreign experts management authority said.

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Finland - Reason for erroneous tax letters determined – new letters will be sent to taxpayers

The section in the source code of the tax letter printing system which caused the error has been discovered, and no more erroneous letters will be sent. Printing and mailing of Tax Administration letters will begin again.

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New Zealand - The Government’s updated tax policy work programme continues the focus on productivity, growth and wellbeing outlined in Budget 2019

The Government’s updated tax policy work programme continues the focus on productivity, growth and wellbeing outlined in Budget 2019, Revenue Minister Stuart Nash announced.

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Washington - IRS launches new Tax Withholding Estimator; Redesigned online tool makes it easier to do a paycheck checkup

The Internal Revenue Service today launched the new Tax Withholding Estimator, an expanded, mobile-friendly online tool designed to make it easier for everyone to have the right amount of tax withheld during the year.

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New Zealand - The New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) will be mandatory for visitors from visa waiver countries from 1 October 2019

The government takes another step to improve border security today. The NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which will enable the government to screen travellers for border and immigration risks off-shore before they travel to New Zealand, has been launched by Immigration New Zealand (INZ), says Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway.

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China - Permanent residence application to be easier for certain foreigners

China will ease the permanent residence application for more high-level foreign talents from Thursday, according to the Ministry of Public Security.

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New Zealand - A new dawn for work skills and training

The Government is tackling the long-term challenges of skills shortages and the mismatch between training provided and the needs of employers, by comprehensively reforming vocational education, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced.

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Washington - IRS, Treasury issue guidance on making or revoking the bonus depreciation elections

The Internal Revenue Service today issued a revenue procedure allowing a taxpayer to make a late election, or to revoke an election, under section 168(k) for certain property acquired by the taxpayer after September 27, 2017, and placed in service by the taxpayer during its taxable year that includes September 28, 2017.

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