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Uzbekistan has joined the international efforts against tax evasion and avoidance by becoming the newest member of the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS.

This new publication from the OECD follows a comprehensive review of the Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters (released in 2014). The new standard includes the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework and amendments to the Common Reporting Standard, along with associated commentaries and exchange of information frameworks.

The OECD recently organised a training session for representatives from the 15 members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, the Commissions of ECOWAS, and the West African Economic and Monetary Union. This training workshop is part of a three-year training cycle on transfer pricing organised by the OECD.

The European Commission recently welcomed the political agreement reached by EU Finance Ministers on new tax transparency rules for all service providers facilitating transactions in crypto-assets, for customers resident in the EU. In its May Newsletter, the Commission interviewed Henrik Paulander, the responsible Head of Sector in DG TAXUD’s Administrative Cooperation Unit, on the new so-called 'DAC8' rules.

Revenue has published a new manual on the treatment of pensions taxable in Ireland in respect of service in the OECD and certain other international organisations. This manual explains the tax treatment of pensions received by retired employees' resident in Ireland in respect of service in OECD, including certain other international organisations, and how these pensions are dealt with in accordance with international agreement.

Revenue has updated its guidance on Expression of Doubt for income tax, corporation tax and CGT purposes. The amendment, contained in paragraph 3, clarifies that interest will apply where a liability is not paid within 30 days of the relevant assessment.

Revenue has published a new Tax and Duty Manual incorporating previously published dividend withholding tax (DWT) technical guidance notes for Paying Companies Authorised Withholding Agents and Qualifying Intermediaries). Although much of the content is the same, some of the key amendments include: A reminder that intermediaries operating through nominee companies must file a Form 21R in certain instances. The removal of the guidance on the treatment of PEPs, ISAs, and SIPs. The amendment of the guidance on how certain entities/types of entities are dealt with for DWT purposes, removing the list of entities that was in the previous publication, with a link to its guidance on the classification of foreign entities for Irish tax purposes.

Revenue has published three new VAT manuals on the treatment of clothing, human medicines and animal medicines.

Revenue has updated its Tax and Duty Manual  for State aid granted to individuals reflecting the new publication thresholds outlined in the Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation and Finance Act 2023. The publication threshold has been reduced from €60,000 to €10,000.

Revenue has updated its Stamp Duty Manual where duty is to be charged on Irish securities which transferred electronically in accordance with Part 6 SDCA 1999.

Revenue has published a new manual containing guidance on section 83DA SDCA 1999. This new section, introduced in Finance 2022, provides for a full repayment of stamp duty where a residential property is sold for the purposes of an affordable dwelling purchase arrangement under the Affordable Housing Act 2021, within 12 months of its acquisition. The section is effective from 1 June 2023.