> Leading headlines from tax-news.com this morning:
| MEPs Back Call For European Car Tax, by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 07/09/2006 | |
|
The European Parliament has backed plans to scrap national passenger car registration taxes throughout the European Union and replace them with a single pollution-based levy. [ FULL STORY ] |
| Panama Tops Global Retirement Index, by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington 07/09/2006 | |
 |
Panama
has been judged to be the world's best retirement location for the
sixth consecutive year by International Living's Global Retirement
Index 2006. [
FULL
STORY ] |
| Hong Kong Shines Bright As Leading Asian Financial Centre, by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong 06/09/2006 | |
 |
Hong
Kong's abundant skilled personnel, robust regulations and extensive
access to international markets have established the city as Asia's
leading financial centre, according to a study by the Securities
and Futures Commission.
[ FULL
STORY ] |
International
Property Investment - Are REITs Right For You?
While many international investors choose to invest directly in their own homes (first, second or third, as the case may be!), one very interesting way of putting surplus funds into real estate is through a REIT. In an increasing number of countries, real estate funds often take advantage of REIT status (stands for Real Estate Investment Trust). Typically, a REIT is a fund, publicly listed or not, which holds real estate assets, and is tax-transparent (pass-through) as long as it distributes 90% of its gains and profits to its shareholders. Countries with REIT legislation in place include the USA, the UK (from 1st January 2007), Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Germany (from 2007), Australia, and the Netherlands. Individuals can invest in REITs either by buying their shares, if they are publicly-listed, or by making direct investments into fund units. Dividends or returns paid to share- or unit-holders are untaxed in the REIT, and are taxable (or not, according to where you invest from) in the hands of the investor. There may be 'exit' or 'withholding' taxes on foreign distributions in certain countries - it is always wise to check first! |
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Refco Case Close To Settlement In New York |
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IRS Charges Fee For US Residency Certification |
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US Judge Extends Order Against Betonsports |
| > Corporate Tax | > Individual Tax |
| > International Tax | > Investment Tax |
| > Expatriate Tax |
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