1 of 2 Countries in the World!  

The United States has the ignominious distinction of being one of only two countries in the world (along with Eritrea) that implements citizenship-based worldwide individual taxation.

Tax Returns in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Era

The end of March marks the beginning of spring, opening day for Major League Baseball, and the stretch run of the U.S. tax filing season, with the initial deadline (before extensions) of April 15th, 2019 approaching faster than a ballcap caught in a stiff breeze. This marks the first-time taxpayers are submitting tax returns under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which went into effect January 1, 2018.

Shanghai, China as seen during AIRINC's recent cost of living survey. Photo taken by AIRINC surveyor Samuel Pearl Schwartz.

Top Marginal Tax Rate Remains at 45%

The Chinese government enacted amendments to the individual income tax law and implemented them in two phases – October 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019. The changes that went into effect October 1, 2018 amended tax rates and tax brackets, and increased the monthly basic deduction.

Update, January 16, 2019: IRS Recalling 46,000 Workers

As part of the IRS contingency plan for a government shutdown, the treasury department is recalling 46,000 people, roughly half of the IRS workforce. These workers are expected to report for work without pay and without a clear plan from the U.S. government to compensate them with back-pay once the government does reopen.

A Significant Financial Investment

Tax laws, rates, and regulations vary greatly from country to country, and being on an international assignment creates even further complexity. To minimize the tax impact on the assignee, most globally-mobile companies have a Tax Equalization policy in place.

From Fanfare to Reality: The United States Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

With great publicity and fanfare, the United States enacted significant Federal tax reform, titled The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, effective January 1, 2018. The details of the reform at a Federal level have been widely dissected, debated, and analyzed.

2019 Tax Plan Change in the Netherlands

On April 20, 2018, the Dutch Ministry of Finance announced that the 2019 Tax Plan will include an amendment to the ‘30% ruling’ for expatriate employees, shortening the eligibility from 8 to 5 years, effective January 1, 2019. 

Malaysian Employee Provident Fund

Malaysia The Malaysian government had reduced the employee contribution rate to the Employee Provident Fund from 11% to 8% without limitation, a move aimed at stimulating consumer spending.