#IRELAND: Fine Gael Election Platform Features Tax Credit Rebate For The Poor

[world politics news]

Lower income families could be repaid up to €2,400 in tax every year under plans being considered by Fine Gael as a key element of its general election campaign.

A new policy of allowing the Revenue Commissioners refund unused tax credits to individuals earning below €16,500, or couples earning €33,300 a year, is detailed in internal documents discussing Government and party policy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CHINA: Gov't Cutting Value-Added Taxes In April; Tax Cuts Seek To Spur Economic Growth

[world politics news]

Starting next month, China's massive reduction of value-added tax will take effect, with manufacturing sector VAT dropping by 3% from the current 16%, to lower burdens on enterprises and boost the economy.

The move was first announced by Premier Li Keqiang in his Government Work Report to National People's Congress deputies when the annual session of the top legislature kicked off on March 5. It is expected to cut 2 trillion yuan (US$297 billion) in taxes for more than 30 million enterprises in China.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#TAIWAN: Because Of Surplus, Pres Announces Increases In Monthly/Hourly Minimum Wages And Exception From Income Taxes

[world politics news]

Pres. Tsai Ing-Wen has announced increases in the minimum monthly and hourly wages and said that those who earn monthly salaries of NT$30,000 (US$975) per month will be exempt from paying personal income taxes this May.

She also said that because of the strong economic growth over the past two years, the government has accrued a surplus in tax revenues and indicated that her administration is looking into ways of "making low-income citizens a priority in enjoying the benefits of economic growth."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#MYANMAR: Parliamentary Committee Suggests Lowering Tax On Gold To 1%

[world politics news]

The Parliament's Joint Bill Committee is recommending that sales taxes on gold be reduced from 3% to 1%, citing the culture of the working classes in Myanmar to collect and save gold to be passed down to children. The tax had earlier been reduced from 5%, but gold dealers say that even 3%, combined with fees, remains too high.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EU: European Parl. Creates Tax Haven "Blacklist," Sanctions For Illegal Activities

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Members of the European Parliament have today voted through measures to make corporation tax fairer, which include drawing up a blacklist of tax havens, sparked by the Panama Papers scandal. Sanctions were also proposed for companies, banks, accountancy and law firms and tax advisers which are proven to be involved in "illegal, harmful or wrongful activities."

#JAPAN: Ruling Parties Exempt Groceries From 2017 Consumption Tax Hike

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The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito have agreed to make general foods, with the exception of eating out and alcoholic beverages, subject to a reduced tax rate that will be introduced when the consumption tax rate is raised to 10% in April 2017.

Pictured: Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Sadakazu Tanigaki, left, answers questions from reporters in Tokyo with his Komeito counterpart Yoshihisa Inoue.

#AUSTRALIA: Greens Make Deal With Gov't To Get Tougher Corporate Tax Penalties; Called "Sell-Out Rats" By Labor Pty.

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The Labor Party accused the Greens of being "sell-out rats" for doing a deal with the governing Coalition on a bill to double existing penalties for multinational tax avoidance. The changes will force private Australian companies with revenue of $200 million or more to also publicly disclose their tax information, and multinationals with global revenue of $1 billion or more will have to prepare more detailed financial statements.

Pictured: Green Party Leader Richard Di Natale.

#INDIA: Gov't Hopes To Pass Controversial Goods & Service Tax In Final Two Weeks Of Parliament

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government hopes to push a new Goods and Services Tax through Parliament this week over heavy opposition from the Congress Party. The bill seeks to harmonize taxation by putting all indirect taxes into one tax system. Tax rates would be set by a council of finance ministers. Alcohol would not be subject to the GST.

#IRELAND: Social Democrats Would Impose New Tax On Sugary Foods, Raise Alcohol Taxes

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The Social Democrats would impose a new tax on foods high in saturated sugar, salt and saturated fats, and raise taxes on alcohol, exempting wine. They would end the hated water utility charges. Three prominent Independent legislators came together to form the party in July.

#DENMARK: Car Maker #Tesla Angered By Danish Gov't Plan To Phase Out Electric Car Tax Breaks

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US-based Car maker Tesla says the Danish government's plan to phase out generous tax breaks for purchasing electric cars over the next five years could devastate the young industry. Prices of Tesla's cars could more than double without the breaks.

#IRELAND: Renua Party Calls For Lower Taxes For Self-Employed, Lower Capital Gains Taxes

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The tax rate paid by the self-employed would be brought into line with other workers under proposals from the Renua Party, which also introduced a proposal to lower capital gains tax rates from 33% to 20%.

#CANADA: Alberta Tories Dump Flat Tax, Raise Tax Rates On The Rich, Increase Fees

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Alberta's legislature is raising taxes on those making $50,000 or more, as well as taxes on cigarettes, alcohol and gas, and is introducing a new health care fee in July in an effort to deal with sharply lower revenues from the oil industry. Finance Minister Robin Campbell says Alberta will remain the lowest-taxed province in Canada.

Pictured: Alberta Premier Jim Prentice

#CANADA: "Dying With Dignity" Charity To Lose Tax-Exempt Status for "Excessive Political Activity"

[world politics news]

The federal government is stripping Dying with Dignity Canada of its charitable tax status following a political activity audit by the Canada Revenue Agency. The Harper Government is cracking down on groups which says it is engaged in deemed excessive political advocacy.

#UK: #DavidCameron Makes Election-Year Pledge to Cut Taxes For Lower Earners; Makes "Moral Sense"

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PM David Cameron will cut taxes for the lowest earners, saying there is an "economic, moral and practical" case for lowering taxes. The annual personal allowance would rise to £12,500. He said, "I think people know how to spend their money better than those in Westminster do."

#ITALY: PM #Renzi Vows To Simplify Tax Code

[world politics news]