Global Watch
This publication allows PwC's International Assignment services to share important global news and developments with clients around the world. Global Watch addresses hot issues around income and social tax, legislation, changes in employment rules, treaties, rulings, etc. Because each Global Watch is classified by the country or territory to which it pertains, you have the ability to subscribe to all Global Watches or limit your subscription to those territories that are of the greatest interest to you and your organisation.
Current issue
Previous issues
April 2013
March 2013
- United Kingdom: Changes to Statutory Residence Test and claims for overseas workday relief
- Australia: Visitor visa reforms begin March 23 while new lodgement fees for dependent visas begin July 1
- Australia: Draft legislation removes capital gains tax discount for foreign and temporary residents
- United Kingdom: Amendments to short term business visitor agreements
- Hong Kong: Salaries tax rates hold steady; Stamp duty proposals may impact property purchases
- Ireland: Key immigration initiatives on the horizon for 2013?
- China: Update on individual income tax rebate in Hengqin Island for Hong Kong and Macao residents
- Sweden: Proposal for foreign employers to notify authorities about employees posted in Sweden
- China: Provisional measures intended to attract talent to Qianhai released
- India: New budget has a mixed impact on globally mobile employees
February 2013
- Singapore: New budget may have significant effect on businesses that employ foreign nationals
- Brazil: New rules eases work visa restrictions and administration for foreigners and their dependants
- Brazil: Authorities announce new rules granting temporary work visas to assist in preparation of games
- Japan: 2013 tax reform proposal may impact globally mobile employees
January 2013
- Turkey: New decree regarding laison offices published
- France: Constitutional Court strikes down 75% tax rate; French Parliament passes new laws
- Vietnam: Guidance on 2012 personal income tax released
- Turkey: Summary of key 2013 tax updates
- United States: Summary of key 2012 and 2013 federal tax rates and limits
- Denmark - Exemption from Danish tax related to salary earned abroad is re-established
- United Arab Emirates: Strict enforcement of labour laws may lead to penalties for non-complying companies
- New US laws regarding individual taxes affect employees and employers — may require immediate action
- India signs social security agreements with Finland, Canada, and Sweden
December 2012
- India - Recent guidelines issued by EPFO on the definition of basic wages are put on hold
- Puerto Rico - Income tax exemption granted to non-residents who establish domicile within a specified timeframe
- India - Employee Provident Fund Organization issues guidelines on the definition of basic wages
- United Kingdom - New statutory residence test: Significant change but ambiguities remain
- China - Year-end Chinese social security, personal tax, and immigration round-up
November 2012
- Canada - Change in position on allocation of cross-border stock option benefits
- China - Individual income tax system for dividends to encourage long-term investment
- Denmark - New rules on hiring-out of labour may expand the number of foreign workers subject to the rules
October 2012
- Brazil - Government alters calculation of certain corporate social security contributions
- India - International workers from social security agreement countries can now withdraw provident funds early
- Japan - Tax authorities increase attention on company-provided housing
- Brazil - Tax authorities introduce a new reporting requirement for certain transactions with Brazilian residents
- Indian Government issues tax residency certificate guidelines for tax residents and non-residents
- Japan - New reporting requirements for share and company performance based compensation introduced
- France - Government presents 2013 budget with significant tax reforms including a temporary 75% tax on high income
September 2012
- Denmark - Exemption from Danish tax related to salary earned abroad is now abolished
- Brazil - Labor courts hold that housing and car allowances paid to offshore employees are not fringe benefits
- Finland - New legislation imposes obligation to obtain “tax numbers” on employees working on construction sites
August 2012
- China - New law provides opportunities for and tightens enforcement on foreign nationals
- Australia - 'Living-Away-From-Home' bill revised and almost law
- Australia - Recommendations on 'Living-Away-From Home' bill made to Government
- India - Certain workers now enjoy exemption from Indian social security
- France - French Parliament adopts new measures that raise individual tax burdens
- India - Indian government clarifies scope of filing extensions issued yesterday
July 2012
- India - Indian government grants extra time for filing certain returns
- Australia - New Zealand citizens can be temporary residents of Australia
- France - French Tax and Social Security Propositions for Individuals
- United States - Changes to the IRS identification number application process may trigger challenges
June 2012
- Australia - Final Living-Away-From-Home legislation introduced into Parliament
- United Kingdom - Statutory Residence Test for the UK
- Czech Republic - New package of tax measures announced in the Czech Republic
- United States - Foreign bank account report filing is due June 30th: How does it differ from Form 8938?
- India - Modification in requirement of compulsory filing of returns by Residents having no taxable income but holding foreign assets
- Hong Kong - Payments in lieu of notice are taxable from year of assessment 2012/13 onwards
May 2012
- Australia - Employment Termination Payment reforms to "golden handshakes"
- Australia - 'Living-away-from-home' reforms: What should businesses be doing now?
- China - Major breakthrough to avoid double taxation in China for Hong Kong (and Macao) tax resident employees
- Australia - Living-Away-From-Home reforms: Short-term reprieve but not for temporary residents
- Australia - Living-Away-From-Home reforms - Short-term reprieve but long-term sting
- Australia - 2012-2013 Federal Budget
April 2012
- Ireland - Immigration Alert: Recent Irish Immigration Developments
- France - French Exit Tax: Clarifications on the Reporting Formalities
- Japan - 2012 Japan Tax Reform Bill
- Australia - Proposed reforms to Living-Away-From-Home concessions
- India - New forms for individuals requiring details of global assets
- Canada - Canadian Federal 2012 Tax Budget
March 2012
- Australia - Tax Office updates for New Zealanders who can be temporary residents of Australia
- United Kingdom - 2012 Budget Announced by the Chancellor
- United States - IRS confirms treatment of certain foreign asset reporting scenarios
- India - 2012/2013 Union Budget
- Australia - Making the most of transitional termination payments up to June 30, 2012
- China - Tightening Forex Control on Overseas Equity Incentive Plans
February 2012
- Singapore - Singapore Budget Announcement
- Ireland Immigration Update: Attracting Key Skills to Ireland - A Priority for 2012
- Switzerland - Social security in Europe - Impact on international mobility cases between CH and EU (Revised)
- United States - IRS releases adjusted limitations for Section 911 foreign housing exclusion
- Ireland - Changes to Finance Bill Impacting Internationally Mobile Employees
- Hong Kong - The 2012/13 Hong Kong Budget
January 2012
- United States - 2012 Key Rates and Limits
- Turkey - Labour law and social security bulletin
- Ireland - Irish Immigration Alert
- Turkey - 2012 Income tax legislation updates
- United States - IRS reopens offshore OVDI program for indefinite time period
- China - Latest updates on enforcement and collection of social security contributions for foreigners working in China
- Brazil - Adjustment to 2012 social security tax rate table
- Netherlands - Final wording of the legislation changes on the 30% ruling for inbound employees
- United States - FBAR and tax return non filers in the post IRS OVDI environment - What are the options now?
December 2011
- Japan - 2011 Tax Reforms and FY 2012 Proposed Tax Reforms
- United States - Foreign asset reporting: Release of new guidance and final form
- United Kingdom - 2012 Finance Bill Update
November 2011
- Australia - Government announces reforms to Living-Away-From-Home concessions
- Netherlands - Latest developments on the 30% ruling for inbound employees
- Australia - Potential audit of foreign nationals working in Australia by the Australian Taxation Commissioner
- India - Clarifications on the Grant of Employment Visas
October 2011
- United States - Foreign asset reporting: Release of Form 8938 draft instructions
- Sweden - Swedish government proposes improved tax rules for foreign key personnel
- Ireland - Ongoing developments in Irish immigration policy
- Germany - India/Germany Social Security Agreement Updates
- Russia - Possible increase in payroll costs
September 2011
- Netherlands - Update on proposed amendments to the 30% ruling
- China - Foreigners to Make Social Security Contributions in China from October 15, 2011
- Netherlands - Proposed amendments to the 30% ruling
- Brazil - Changes in Employer’s portion of Social Security Contributions in Brazil for certain sectors
- India - Guidelines/Clarifications released on Indian Provident Fund and Pension Scheme applicable to International Workers
August 2011
- United States - Hurricane Prompts IRS to Extend Due Date for Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative Requests
- Brazil - Alterations in certain rules regarding the granting of Permanent Visas
- Ireland - Share Scheme Developments
- Korea - Preliminary Return and Payment no Longer Required for Capital Gain(s) on Shares Traded on Foreign Exchanges
- Brazil - New Adjustment to Social Security Tax Rates Table
July 2011
- Japan - Japan/Hong Kong tax treaty updates
- China - Amended Individual Income Tax Law
- Netherlands - Application of the 30%-ruling on income received after departure from the Netherlands
June 2011
- China - Important Chinese Individual Income Tax Updates
- Vietnam - Foreign Tax Credit claims in Vietnam
- United Kingdom - Reform of the Remittance Basis Regime
- Austria - Amendments to the Austrian Alien Employment Act
- United Kingdom - Statutory Residency Test for the UK
- Australia - 2011 Employee Share Scheme reporting for employees in Australia
