Author: News Desk

Egypt is stepping up efforts to attract real estate investment through a range of tax incentives, legislative reforms, and support for both local and foreign investors, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) said. Deputy CEO Yasser Abbas highlighted the sector’s significance to GDP and employment, noting that ongoing national projects, including new sustainable cities and advanced infrastructure, present strong long-term investment opportunities. Key incentives include lower bank interest rates, simplified property registration, property insurance facilitation, and measures supporting public–private partnerships. The government also promotes foreign property ownership linked to residency, aiming to strengthen Egypt as a regional…

South Korea’s government announced a cut to the top tax rate on separately taxed dividend income, lowering it from 35% to 25% starting in fiscal 2026. The policy aims to redirect investment from real estate to listed companies, increasing after-tax dividends for investors. The market reacted strongly: the Kospi rose 3% to 4,073.24, while the Kosdaq climbed 1.3%. Samsung Electronics shares gained nearly 3%, and HD Korea Shipbuilding surged over 2% after winning a major contract. Analysts say the tax reform could attract domestic and foreign capital, fueling long-term economic diversification For any questions, clarifications, feedback, or contributions regarding this…

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed the state’s $4.3 billion transportation bill into law on Friday, paving the way for opponents to gather signatures for a referendum to overturn it. Republican petitioners, including Rep. Ed Diehl and Sen. Bruce Starr, submitted paperwork Monday to begin the process, which requires 78,116 valid signatures by Dec. 30. The law raises the gas tax by six cents, increases vehicle registration and title fees, and doubles the payroll tax for public transit until 2028. Kotek thanked supporters for backing the bill, which she said will maintain roads and transit services, while Starr criticized the month-long…

Corporation tax has surged to account for more than 25% of Ireland’s total tax revenue, driven largely by large US multinationals, according to the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. The council highlighted that about three-quarters of corporation tax receipts come from major US tech and pharmaceutical companies, leaving Ireland’s public finances highly sensitive to changes in US policy. While recent US tariffs have yet to directly affect the biggest payers, future revenues remain uncertain. Brian Cronin, author of the report, noted that prior US policy changes “may have temporarily boosted corporation tax receipts,” but ongoing initiatives to encourage domestic manufacturing and…

Rome — November 12, 2025 — Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s plan to reduce income taxes for Italy’s so-called middle class is facing fierce criticism, with opposition parties and unions arguing the measure disproportionately benefits higher earners. Under the draft budget currently before parliament, the government proposes trimming the second tax band—annual incomes between €28,000 and €50,000—from 35% to 33%, costing roughly €3 billion in foregone revenues. Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said the move aims to ease the purchasing power squeeze on families hit by high inflation. However, the independent parliamentary budget office warns that nearly half of the tax cut’s…

Vietnam has extended its agricultural land use tax exemption through the end of 2030, reinforcing long-standing government support for farmers and rural development. The move, formalized in Decree 292/2025/ND-CP, implements National Assembly Resolution 216/2025/QH15 and continues a policy first introduced in 2010 to reduce financial burdens on agricultural stakeholders. Eligible beneficiaries include individual farmers, agricultural cooperatives, research institutions, and organizations directly engaged in agricultural production. Leased or subcontracted land, however, remains fully taxable, and non-compliance may result in land withdrawal under the Land Law. Property investors must navigate a broader Vietnamese property tax framework, which encompasses: Experts advise foreign investors…

Senator Elizabeth Warren and a group of Democratic lawmakers have called on the U.S. Treasury and Internal Revenue Service to act swiftly to prevent what they describe as a looming “tax bomb” for millions of student-loan borrowers. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, obtained exclusively by Business Insider, the lawmakers urged the administration to use its existing authority to extend the tax-free status of student-loan forgiveness beyond its scheduled expiration in January 2026. The 2021 American Rescue Plan made all forms of student-debt relief tax-exempt through 2025. Without further action, any loan forgiveness granted from 2026 onward would…

China has rolled out a series of sweeping tax reforms and guidance aimed at supporting strategic sectors, tightening compliance, and fostering sustainable development, according to the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration. The measures, announced in October 2025, are expected to affect foreign-invested enterprises, real estate developers, and high-emission industries. Targeted VAT Incentives for Green EnergyChina is shifting from broad-based value-added tax (VAT) incentives to a more focused approach, offering support to offshore wind and nuclear power projects while phasing out benefits for mature industries such as coal, aircraft maintenance, and platinum and diamond imports. Companies in the…

Australia is reinforcing tax rules for international capital deployment, focusing on interest withholding tax (WHT) for foreign lenders and new thin capitalisation rules effective from 1 July 2023. The measures aim to prevent excessive deductions on cross-border debt while providing exemptions under certain conditions. Interest Withholding Tax (WHT) on Foreign LendersAustralia imposes a 10% WHT on interest payments to foreign resident lenders, payable within 21 days after the month the interest is deemed paid. Borrowers are responsible for covering this tax, typically through a gross-up mechanism in financing agreements. The WHT applies to: Exemptions and TreatiesCertain double tax treaties (e.g.,…

The UAE Ministry of Finance has announced the country’s adoption of the updated Common Reporting Standard (CRS 2.0) under the OECD’s Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) framework. Effective 1 January 2027, this move underscores the UAE’s commitment to tax transparency, global compliance, and good governance, with the first exchange of information scheduled for 2028. The adoption of CRS 2.0 aligns the UAE with global financial standards, strengthening the nation’s cooperation with the OECD and the international financial community. The updated framework is designed to expand oversight over electronic money, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and crypto-related activities, while enhancing auditing…