Summary: 1. BEPS • Digital economy: OECD publishes comments - 17 organizations made comments, including Deloitte - To obtain a copy of all comments, visit www.deloitte.com/ap/dbriefs/bytes - For information: Bill Dodwell (London): bdodwell@deloitte.co.uk Alison Lobb (London): alobb@deloitte.co.uk • Digital economy: EU expert group - Publication of papers following its first meeting in December - To obtain a copy of the papers, visit www.deloitte.com/ap/dbriefs/bytes • OECD webcast - Thursday, 23 January, 3pm to 4pm (CET) - To register for the webcast, go to http://www.oecd.org/tax/beps-webcasts.htm • Netherlands hesitates on country-by-country reporting - For information: Hans Pijl (Amsterdam): HPijl@deloitte.nl 2. Cases • Customs duty case: Skechers • Canadian International Trade Tribunal • Contribution payments for “unsuccessful” R&D: should the payments be included in the customs value? • Key issue: are such payments “in respect of” the imported goods? • Tribunal decides in favor of customs authorities • For information: Bob Fletcher (Singapore): bobfletcher@deloitte.com Dan Kiselbach (Vancouver): dkiselbach@deloittetaxlaw.ca 3. China • Amended company law - Objectives of simplifying the process and relaxing the requirements for forming a Chinese company - Amendments effective on 1 March 2014 • Circular 96 - VAT and consumption tax guidance on e-commerce exports • For information: Vicky Wang (Shanghai): vicwang@deloitte.com.cn Ye Hong (Shanghai): hoye@deloitte.com.cn 4. Bitcoins • Huge gyrations in value • Response of different countries varies • Number of businesses accepting payments in Bitcoins increases 5. In brief • Vietnam: APA program - For information: Tom McClelland (Ho Chi Minh): tmcclelland@deloitte.com • Treaties - Japan / Oman: treaty signed - Singapore / Morocco: treaty entered into force • Hong Kong: captive insurance - For information: Anthony Lau (Hong Kong): antlau@deloitte.com.hk • Australia: patent box - For information: David Watkins (Sydney): dwatkins@deloitte.com.au
