New GST rules for low-value imported goods

From 1 December 2019 overseas businesses selling low-value goods to consumers in New Zealand must charge GST at the point of sale if they meet the GST registration requirements, including a NZ$60,000 turnover threshold.

Low-value goods are physical goods valued at NZ$1,000 or less (excluding GST), such as books, clothing, cosmetics, shoes, sporting equipment and electronic items. Goods sold for more than NZ$1,000 will continue to be taxed by Customs at the border as they come into New Zealand.

Privacy Commissioner John Edwards welcomed the Justice Select Committee’s report on the Privacy Bill.

“The Committee has listened to submitters and the reported back Bill contains measures to ensure the law addresses some of the most pressing aspects of the modern digital economy.

The law will now explicitly set out when agencies that collect, process and use New Zealanders’ personal information will have to comply with New Zealand law – regardless of whether these agencies have a brick-and-mortar presence on our islands.

Alliott Group’s global tax news in one monthly digest

Asia Pacific Tax News

BJP pledges to revise income tax brackets if re-elected

India’s ruling BJP party says it will revise income tax brackets if re-elected in the seven-phase general election, starting from 11 April. “We are committed to further revise the tax slabs and the tax benefits to ensure more cash and greater purchasing power in the hands of our middle-income families,” the BJP said in its election manifesto.
Times of India

New NZ employment law

From 1 April 2019, employees who are affected by domestic violence will have new entitlements and rights.

They can take up to 10 days’ paid leave each year, can request a variation to their working arrangements, and can raise a personal grievance, or unlawful discrimination claim, if their employer treats them adversely because they are affected by domestic violence.

These new entitlements and rights come from the Domestic Violence – Victims’ Protection Act 2018 (Act).

Alliott Group’s monthly global tax digest for March

Welcome to March’s edition of TaxPulse

A monthly media round-up of news, views and comment pertaining to global taxation, provided by Alliott Group’s International Tax Services Group.

Asia Pacific Tax News

China unveils $298bn tax cuts to boost growth

Chinese number two Li Keqiang has outlined plans to cut billions of dollars in taxes in order to boost the world’s second-largest economy. Mr Li told 3,000 delegates at the National People’s Congress that China would aim to deliver nearly 2 trillion yuan ($298bn) of cuts in taxes and other company fees. A value-added tax for transportation and construction sectors will be reduced from 10% to 9%, and VAT for manufacturers will fall from 16% to 13%, he said.
BBC News    South China Morning Post   China Daily

Trans-Tasman e-invoicing

Electronic invoicing is a broad term that covers the exchange of invoices between a supplier and a buyer in an electronic format – for example, emailing an invoice in portable document format (PDF).

However, when we talk about e-invoicing (or digital invoicing), we mean the automated direct exchange of invoices between the supplier’s and buyer’s software systems.

Asia Pacific Tax News

China tax cut package to stimulate economy 

China will cut value-added tax rates for selected industries and provide tax rebates for others as part of its efforts to boost a slowing economy. Government officials said they would cut taxes “on a larger scale” in order to boost business activity. JPMorgan Chase & Co. economists estimate the total impact of the tax cuts will be around 2trn yuan ($300bn), or 1.2% of GDP. Tax cuts for graduates and low-income workers have also been announced in a stimulus drive to fend off the effects of the economic slowdown. Companies which hire people designated as “needy” will also qualify for a tax deduction of 6,000 yuan per person per year for three years.
Financial Times   Bloomberg   China Daily

January TaxPulse by Alliott Group

ASIA PACIFIC

Chinese leaders promise tax cuts to boost flagging economic growth

China’s top economic policymakers promised more tax cuts and increased funding for infrastructure at a key annual planning meeting last month, as US tariffs and weakening domestic consumption added to downward pressure on growth. China’s economy slowed to 6.5% year-on-year growth in the third quarter of 2018. “The pro-active fiscal policy should enhance efficiency, implement larger-scale tax cuts and fee reductions, and substantially increase the size of local government special bonds,” state news agency Xinhua said in a translation provided by Reuters.
CNBC   Financial Times   South China Morning Post

Report reveals biggest headaches for global mobility professionals

Alliott Group’s Global Mobility Services Group is one of the co-sponsors of the recently published ‘2018 Managing the Global Mobility Function’ benchmarking study published by the Forum for Expatriate Management.

We share some of the highlights of this thought leadership report.

E-Commerce and the Special Scheme for Distance Selling

According to a study conducted by the CRR (Centre for Retail Research), e-commerce generated net sales of €232.6 billion in Europe and Poland in 2016 and €265.7 billion in 2017.

In 2018, this market should exceed €300 billion. Although it proves a fantastic opportunity for online sellers, e-commerce can also be the source of significant tax risks, particularly VAT. Mickael Tatayas, Head of Alliott Group’s VAT/Indirect Services Group, explains the state of play in Europe and provides scenario examples.