Kategoria: The Warsaw Network

We’re opening the Freedom Lounge

In the former headquarters of the Communist Party, the building in the very center of Warsaw that housed the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers’ Party, the Warsaw Enterprise Institute opened the Freedom Lounge.

The memory of a maimed city

The Warsaw Uprising is one of the greatest Polish national tragedies, the source of great controversy, dividing Poles, but also still affecting the everyday life of the inhabitants of the capital of Poland.

All is well that ends well

The unfortunate Act last January, in spite of all its shortcomings, marked the beginning of a new discussion about Polish-Jewish relations, showing how complicated the history of these two fraternal nations has been for centuries.

Back to the future, and dynastic democracy

Quite often, political careers are not questioned. One needn’t have any special knowledge, special skills of a doctor or an engineer to be successful. All that is required are the inherited network of acquaintances and access to knowledge how to move in the world of appearances and opportunism

CCP airport – a large investment or rather a patriotic one?

In the context of Berlin, the construction of the airport becomes a patriotic one and not a communication venture anymore. Its primary goal, as Jarosław Kaczyński said, is to consolidate Poland around large infrastructure investments and to support territorial integrity

German companies flee Russia

In St. Petersburg, another edition of the Economic Forum is underway, the event that the Russians intend to make a competitor for the meeting in

Poland and the US: Best friends in democracy

Best friends aren’t in the news much because they are reliable. Arguably, America’s best friend in Europe is Poland because Poland sees the world as Americans do. Article by Paweł Dobrowolski and Matthew Tyrmand in American Thinker

Polish Agency – WEI Memorandum

The anti-Polish speeches, attempts to falsify history, and charging Poles for crimes of other are becoming ever more frequent around the world. Regardless of mistakes

Budget of the European Union

The Union is making a plan and guessing what the EU will look like in 10 years. Just like in the communist countries back in the day

Official complaint letter to EU Commission President Karl Marx Anniversary

Jean-Claude Juncker will give a speech at the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the father of the communist ideology. On this occasion, we publish an open letter to the President of the Commission of the European Union to cancel president’s participation in the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx’s birth

Comrade Juncker on a business trip

Jean-Claude Juncker will give a speech at the opening of an exhibition dedicated to the father of the communist ideology. What will Juncker say about the father of one of the most criminal ideologies in the history of humanity?

Polish bison would vote for leaving the EU

After a year-long proceedings, the European Court of Justice stated that Poland violates the European law by logging trees in Bialowieza Forest. According to the Court in Luxembourg, Poland, which was sued by the European Commission, violates the bird and habitat directives.

Polish doctor Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

The Polish government promises the lowest taxes for small businesses in Europe. Already excellent economic results can significantly speed up development. Poland, however, remains torn between the pro-market prime minister and the socialist-oriented majority in the ruling party.

Why does the government pay for old paintings?

It is hard to find a more classic ideological dispute between the left wing and the right. When the Czartoryski family, established by one of the largest aristocratic families in Poland, transferred 100 million euro from selling to the state its collection of unique works of art to a bank account in Liechtenstein, the left went crazy.

Legislative fever. A set of symptoms

The complexity and volatility of regulations has for years been identified as one of the main barriers to the country’s development. Instability of the law was the most frequently indicated obstacle in conducting business activity, particularly in the study of the economic moods of the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises.

WEI Report: Barriers for Polish companies in the EU

Warsaw Enterprise Institute in cooperation with the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) presented the report “Barriers and Obstacles for Polish Companies in the European Union”. The aim of the publication is to draw attention to the obstacles that particular industries of the Polish economy face on the markets of individual European countries and to indicate a set of practical recommendations in the fight against European protectionism.

Russian grain – success with a lining made of failure

Russia is currently the world’s largest exporter of grain. According to official data, also confirmed by foreign analysts, last year, 135.4 million tonnes were harvested in Russia, including 85.9 million tons of wheat. But why is this joy not to be heard in the voices of Russian farmers?

Measurable justice. Judicial reform project

The Union of Enterpreneurs and Employers and the Warsaw Enterprise Institute as part of the project under the title „Agenda Poland” present their joint proposal for systemic reforms of the state. This time, they focus on issues related to justice, which have been one of the hottest topics in the Polish public debate for more than a year.

Bribes and grants

If JP Morgan didn’t open an office in Warsaw and didn’t promise to employ 3.5 thousand employees without a government grant amounting to PLN 20.5 million, how would call that “grant” in a slightly less elegant language? And if JP Morgan opened that office anyway and hired those employees, what reason would be for a “grant” in the first place? Well, this, in turn, would read mismanagement!

Communist antisemitism – 1968 March events

March 1968 is one of the most painful dates in the history of Polish-Jewish relations. Exactly 50 years ago, the communist authorities of the then Polish state forced nearly 20,000 Jews and Poles of Jewish ancestry to emigrate. On the list of those who left Poland, we find many eminent scholars, doctors, writers, painters, philosophers, but also politicians of that time. The campaign of hatred was a methodically and cynically planned internal game of the communist party.

Lessons learnt from the Russian intervention in Syria

The information about the killing of an unidentified number of Russian mercenaries from the so-called Wagner’s group in a series of air strikes by the American forces yet again focused the attention on combat techniques used in this war.

Polexit, or the self-annihilation of Poland

The position of WEI on Polexit and its potential political and economic consequences. Should one day the tensions between Poland and the EU led to Polexit, it would be a geopolitical catastrophe.

Poland slows down. The Opening Balance by WEI

Warsaw Enterprise Institute challenges Prime Minister Morawiecki: If we are to pass the level of the European average during the coming decade, Poland will have to be much faster in catching up with the most developed European countries.

Poland: Patriotic, not authoritarian

Tomasz Wróblewski, President of Warsaw Enterprise Institute, contradicts false statements about facists taking part in The Independence March in Poland and points out that it was attended mainly by hard-working, middle-class people with families. In fact, accusations that the Polish government supported fascism and anti-Semitism are far off the mark

Proposals for changing the law. Will Sunday trading be limited?

The Warsaw Enterprise Institute warns that the change may adversely affect traditional trade sectors, shake up the market balance, reduce employment opportunities in the labor market, worsen competitiveness and over time lead to higher retail prices, worsening consumer sentiment

Why Poland longs for judicial reform?

Poland’s supposed turn away from democracy, and especially its latest attempts at reforming the judiciary have caused much anxiety and agitation both at home and abroad. However, thus far Polish democracy is well and alive. 

Strategy of Polish Competitiveness 2017+

In Poland, for years, there was the wide spread opinion that since we are already in the big European family the competition between nations is gone, the capital has no nationality, national egoisms exists only in museums of football pitches etc. This idea provoked pitiful smiles among those who benefited from this situation, we have been strongly confirmed about its righteousness however. At the same time, many countries, often quite brutally, realised their economic interests.

The left-wing fascination by Fidel Castro

Today, we are writing about hypocrisy of the progressive left-wing in the world. About people like Jean Claude Junker, Jimmy Carter, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and hundreds of others from the Twitter-left-side who nostalgically bid their farewells to one of the most appalling characters in history.

And again – no disaster

Past week wasn’t the best one for the believers in the end-of-the-civilisation and disintegration-of-the-free-world after-choosing-Trump theories. Non of the professed calamities happened. 

Reset of Trump

Polish and European media keep showing news which goal is to confirm that the new American president eagerly awaits possibility of making an alliance with Vladimir Putin, and to abandon his allies from NATO. Just as if they didn’t want to acknowledge that it is Kremlin’s policy that disables normalisation of relations between the West and Russia. And this policy doesn’t seem to be changing now.

Food chain – how to figure out Putin

Doesn’t matter if you are thrilled by the Trump’s victory, or you need a teddy bear to soak it with your tears and snorts (in American universities, such teddies are being distributed to students who despair after Clinton’s defeat), all who have some common sense can say: pundits suck.

Heritage Foundation 2016 Index of US Military Strength

Each year, The Heritage Foundation’s Index of U.S. Military Strength employs a standardized, consistent set of criteria, accessible both to government officials and to the American public, to gauge the ability of the U.S. military to perform its missions in today’s world. The inaugural 2015 edition established a baseline assessment on which this and future annual editions will build, with each issue assessing the state of affairs for its respective year and measuring how key factors have changed from the previous year.

Clinton, Trump, and Kyiv in Between: What the U.S. Election Means for Ukraine

In a recent column for Foreign Policy, international affairs theorist Stephen Walt wrote about the collapse of liberal democracy across the West, now giving way to a wave of populism, violence, and autocracy in the very countries that helped create it. Against this background the United States will choose its next President in November, with a major concern being that American foreign policy will be affected by this growing illiberalism. This article addresses what the outcome of the U.S. election may mean for Ukraine.

Who Is Driving Reforms in Ukraine

Since the Revolution of Dignity, the President’s Office, the National Bank of Ukraine, the Parliament, and the various administrative bodies have begun a wide-ranging program of reform.  Which governmental actions have proven to be good for Ukraine’s economy, and which have taken Ukraine in the wrong direction?  Tetyana Tyshchuk and Oleksiy Hrybanovsky closely studied the Index for Monitoring Reforms in order to find out which government agencies are true to their word.

More Liberal Voices. Position on the European Agenda for the Collaborative Economy

The Lithuanian Free Market Institute: EU Member States should follow Agenda guidelines in terms of refraining from using restrictive market access policies for collaborative economy business models only. These new businesses have developed tools that help to maintain quality standards, therefore no additional governmental intervention is necessary.

More Liberal Voices. Policy Brief on Posting of Workers in the European Union

The Lithuanian Free Market Institute has analysed the Proposal COM(2016) 128 for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 96/71/EC of The European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services. The proposal is aimed at introducing the principle that the same work at the same place should be remunerated in the same manner, implying tighter regulation of posted workers from new Member States. 

HOW TO EARN OUR NATIONAL DIGNITY?

I’ve read around thousand theories about causes of the crisis. And then, I’ve read even more about the reasons why it’s not ending. Once there are too many regulations, once there are not enough. Precariat, inequities.. Crises have always come and go. The question is why this one doesn’t want to leave?

Robert Gwiazdowski: Hail the nepotism!

Have we got nepotism in the state-owned companies? Yes, we have. We have, we had and we will have. Because that is a reason of having state-owned companies! If they were to be managed in accordance with rules of economy, they wouldn’t have to be state-owned.

More Liberal Voices. Policy Brief on Posting of Workers in the European Union

The Lithuanian Free Market Institute has analysed the Proposal COM(2016) 128 for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 96/71/EC of The European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services. The proposal is aimed at introducing the principle that the same work at the same place should be remunerated in the same manner, implying tighter regulation of posted workers from new Member States. 

Vancouver councillor to ask the province to begin collecting taxes on Airbnb rentals

Airbnb has become a thorn in the side of Vancouver policymakers. There are more than 4,700 Airbnb listings for Vancouver. Of those, 3,179 are for entire residences, according to the data-analysis website InsideAirbnb. And with the vacancy rate for rentals in Vancouver at less than one percent, there’s legitimate concern that at least some of those listings are subtracting units from the city’s rental stock.

Why countries are so afraid of George Soros

Tomasz Wróblewski, VP of the WEI  on the Poland.pl: „We do not know what Brexit will mean for the future of the European Union, but we can already see what significance it has for speculative funds”

The End of Yalta

The decision to deploy American troops to Poland will change the map of Europe forever, but it does not eliminate the threat emanating from Russia. We should expect new and even more creative forms of hybrid warfare.

France’s proposed palm oil tax threatens African small farmers

Initiative for Public Policy Analysis (IPPA) – the Nigeria-based public policy think tank, has condemned the French Government’s proposed tax on palm oil that will be of disadvantage to Africa, and undermine efforts to alleviate poverty across the continent. The proposed taxes – a huge additional tax of 90EUR per tonne and a differential tax for palm oil produced according to rich Western standards – is purposefully discriminatory and would lead to devastating consequences for African farmers of palm oil, and throughout the rest of the developing world

China to impose new tax on imported e-commerce

In what can only been as a move by the government to prod Chinese citizens to buy domestic goods, China said it plans to impose new tariffs on cross-border e-commerce that would significantly increase the cost of many items such as food, health care products and low-price cosmetics. Starting April 8, buyers of all imported goods purchased online must pay most of a 17% value-added tax and a consumption tax, if applicable, according to a policy released March 24 by the Ministry of Finance, the General Administration of Customs and the State Administration of Taxation. 

Nanny state? Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) says taxes on wine, beer, cigarettes and sugar make Britain among the most meddling countries in the EU

The free market think tank published its annual “Nanny State Index” league table with the European Policy Information Centre, putting Britain in the number three spot behind Finland and Sweden. The league table gives every EU country a score out of 100, based on to it regulates [taxes] individuals’ lifestyle choices, including food and drink consumption

Facebook to stop routing big UK sales through Ireland, pay more tax in Britain

Facebook said in a statement that the new arrangement – which will start in April – would provide greater „transparency”. The move will mean the company will not rout advertising revenues from big clients like Tesco and WPP through Ireland with the higher tax bill being paid from 2017. A Facebook spokesman said: „On Monday we will start notifying large UK customers that from the start of April they will receive invoices from Facebook UK and not Facebook Ireland. 

EU Regulators Want More Info on Apple’s Ireland Tax Deal

European Union antitrust regulators have asked Ireland to provide further details on the country’s tax deal with Apple before deciding whether this constitutes illegal state aid to the iPhone maker. The European Commission, which has been investigating the Apple deal for more than two years, said on Wednesday that Irish authorities had not responded fully to an earlier query

The Moral Case for Tax Havens

Tax havens have a valuable role in the global economy. They facilitate the efficient allocation of capital; they encourage saving and investment; and because of tax competition, they encourage better policy in the rest of the world.

Europe turns against Google

If Google thought its troubles in Europe were over, it was badly mistaken. After negotiating sprawling antitrust probes, the Silicon Valley-based firm now faces a fast-spreading legal and political brushfire over its tax affairs that adds to existing disputes over competition and privacy, and has the potential to dwarf its previous problems in the European Union.

Europe cracks down on tax dodgers

Rampant corporate tax dodging and sweetheart deals that cheat governments and skew markets, have prompted the European Commission to unveil a new directive Thursday. The proposed legislation follows a quick succession of tax rulings, settlements and investigations across Europe, involving household names like Apple, Google, McDonald’s and Starbucks. The future law would bring the European Union in line with proposals from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development and be a critical step toward harmonizing certain tax policies within the EU.

For sugar tax supporters, 2016 may be the sweet spot

2016 could be the year of the sugar tax, as several large nations consider levies on sweetened food and drinks to battle obesity and fatten government coffers. For years, public health advocates have called for such measures as one prong of an attack against a growing obesity epidemic that has fueled rates of heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses, in both the developed and developing worlds.
Fot. Charley {like, the girl way}/ na lic. Creative Commons/ flickr.com

High Corporate Taxes May Increase Debt, Study Finds

A new paper published in the Journal of Financial Economics finds that countries with high tax rates on corporate income also have higher corporate leverage ratios. This paper improves upon the methodologies of prior research that had struggled to confirm a link between tax rates and corporate structure.

Ghana: GIPC Grants Tax Holiday to Agro-Processing Enterprises

The Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) has offered a five year tax holiday for new, wholly-owned Ghanaian agro-processing companies which use only local agricultural inputs as their raw material base.The Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC) has offered a five year tax holiday for new, wholly-owned Ghanaian agro-processing companies which use only local agricultural inputs as their raw material base.

Explained: Denmark’s crazy car registration tax

As part of its 2016 budget, the Danish government reduced the limit for registration tax on new vehicle purchases from 180 to 150 percent. The Local takes a closer look at why buying a car in Denmark is so expensive and what the tax reduction means for motorists.

Hong Kong’s accession to the Trans-Pacific Partnership

Recently, 12 countries, including the United States, Japan, Singapore and Australia, reachedan agreement on the formulation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The combined gross domestic product (GDP) of these countries accounts for 40 per cent of the world’s GDP.

ASEAN set to become next global economic powerhouse

Established to promote collaboration, peace and stability among its members, The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has been in existence since 1967. However, this December marks a significant step in its economic development with the creation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The advent of the AEC brings not only a master plan for regional economic integration but the likely realisation of ASEAN’s exceptional potential both as a low-cost manufacturing hub and an importer of consumer goods.

No way, Norway!

The Economist discussed recently the necessary ‘devolution’ of the Scandinavian model in Norway, following similar trends in Sweden and Denmark. The article makes several good points about the effects of bureaucratization and high-tax welfare on entrepreneurship and corporate culture in a country where the government owns 40% of the stock market and employs 33% of the workforce (almost double the percentage in OECD countries). 

Tragic Story of Slovakian Declining Competitiveness

In the most recent ranking of the World Economic forum, which compares the competitiveness of 140 countries around the world, Slovakia ranked 67th. Since we ranked 8 places higher the year before, the media presented this as positive news. If we, however, look at the long-term evolution of the Slovak economy’s competitiveness not only in this, but in other rankings, we realize that the picture we are looking at is drastically different. What becomes apparent is a tragic story of a dramatic decline in our competitiveness.

Destabilization of Polish Public Finance Instead of Reforms

In the end of September 2015 Civil Development Forum (FOR) organized press conference to inform about the 5th anniversary of the public debt clock located in the city center of Warsaw. In Poland, public expenditures have significantly exceeded revenues for many years. This, in turn, led to higher public debt.

How the UK responsibly lowered its corporate tax rate: Remarks from Financial Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke MP

The United Kingdom has a relatively low corporate tax rate of 20 percent — compared to the US average of 39 percent — and will further cut it to 19 percent in 2017 and to 18 percent in 2020. Financial Secretary to the Treasury David Gauke MP joined AEI on September 29 to discuss the philosophy behind the UK’s corporate tax policy, which he calls “responsible competition”.

Ukraine makes further steps to reduce tax burden

The Law of Ukraine “On Reducing the Tax Burden” No. 655-VIII of 17 July 2015 (the “Law”) became effective on 1 September 2015. The legislative changes are intended to ease the life of Ukrainian taxpayers, decrease their tax burden, and ultimately make Ukraine more attractive to investors.

Dutch Set to Raise Taxes on Juice, Cola and Bottled Water

Consumers in the Netherlands can expect to soon pay more for juice, soft drinks and bottled water. The tax on these items will increase by 30 million euros, an increase of 15 percent compared to last year, according to the latest budget leak in the hands of RTL Nieuws.

EU Fails to Nail Multinational Tax Evaders

The European Union special commission set up to investigate tax evasion by huge multinationals, such as Google, McDonald’s and Amazon, has failed to get answers from many of them, forcing the European Parliament to threaten the corporations with sanctions.

Smoke Clears on Real Reason for Chicago E-Cig Tax

After recently cementing its status as the highest-taxed cigarette city in the United States, lawmakers in Chicago are now targeting products used as a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco. Reeling from declining tobacco revenues and faced with a massive budget hole as a result of overspending and lack of local reform, some Democrats have decided to go after e-cigarettes with a new massive tax hike.

Something Stinks: Onion Farmers Echo Big Oil’s Support for Arctic Drilling

US oil companies hoping to win drilling rights in the arctic have gained an unlikely ally: The National Onion Association. Suspicious, given that the onion growers have no interests in the freezing region, and doubly suspicious given that its letter of support lifts phrases – verbatim – from an oil lobbying group.

UK DOTAS Regime 'To Cover Almost All IHT Planning’

The UK Government’s plans to strengthen the Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes (DOTAS) rules could require the disclosure of all but the most basic inheritance tax (IHT) planning arrangements, law firm Boodle Hatfield has said. 

To Tax or Not?

The UAE is moving closer to implementing value-added tax. But will it impact the country’s competitiveness?With oil prices halving from a high of $115 per barrel last year to a low of $45 per barrel in January, Gulf Cooperation Council countries have been forced to tighten their belts and look for alternative sources of revenue.

President Ratifies Ukrainian Tax Code Amendments

Ukraine’s President, Petro Poroshenko, has ratified three acts containing changes to tax law in the areas of transfer pricing, the obligations of taxpayers, and tax rules for non-profit organizations.

The EU Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB)

On June 17, 2015, the European Commission relaunched proposals for common corporate tax rules to apply across the EU. Known as the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB), the proposals have two objectives: to simplify the EU’s corporate tax framework; and to reduce opportunities for multinational companies to avoid corporate tax. 

Initiative to make tax audits more effective

In a press release, The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the United Nations Development Program announced the launch of an initiative to help developing countries bolster domestic revenues by strengthening their tax audit capacities.

Tax Challenges For The Uber Economy

The sharing economy. The collaborative economy. The Uber economy. It goes by many names. Whatever you call it, the phenomenon of specialized on-line marketplaces connecting small businesses with customers is growing by leaps and bounds

New Study: Corporate Tax Rate Most Important Single Factor for Investment

Mulitanional corporations, intergovernmental organizations, and academics know that high levels of corporate taxation serve as a disincentive for foreign direct investment (FDI). Companies shift resources toward countries that provide the most business-friendly climate and away from those nations more hostile to investment. 

Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products: Stubbing Out an Unending Scourge

Dominated globally by organised crime, the illicit tobacco trade could be said to be a frightening tripod that damages legitimate business, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people. The criminality involved, including the use of the proceeds to fund other crimes, has a devastating effect on individuals and communities worldwide.

OECD Urges Greater Use Of Green Taxes

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has said in a new report that governments are under-utilizing taxation as a tool to curb the environmental consequences of energy use. The report, entitled Taxing Energy Use 2015: OECD and Selected Partner Economies, said that there is strong evidence that taxes are one of the most cost-effective ways to curb the negative side effects of energy use.
 

Looming highway debate stirs tax fight

A fight over raising taxes has bloomed as the chief obstacle to passing a desperately needed multi-year transportation bill by the end of next month, raising the specter of a possible shutdown of highway programs. 

Romanian MPs extend VAT cut to draft beer

Romania’s Chamber of Deputies approved on June 10 the reduction of VAT on draft beer from 24% to 9%. It adopted an amendment to the Fiscal Code, issued as an Emergency Ordinance project by the Government.

IMF Recommends Indirect Tax Grab For Spain

The IMF reported that Spain has continued to bring down its fiscal deficit as the economy has recovered, but the level of public debt is very high and is still increasing. Welcoming recent changes to Spanish tax policies – and most notably its corporate tax reforms – the IMF said „Spain should seize on the current momentum to undertake reforms… Spain needs to..”

Italian Property Taxes See Sharp Rise

Italy’s association of building constructors, ANCE, has calculated that revenues from taxes on property ownership in Italy have risen sharply by 143.5 percent in three years, yielding EUR9.8bn in 2011 and EUR24bn in 2014. 

Estonia a model for Finnish corporate tax system

Prime Minister Juha Sipilä says he wants to make the Finnish corporate tax regime more like Estonia’s, where companies begin to pay taxes only when they declare dividends. The PM’s comments came during his first official visit with his Estonian colleague, Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas

EFTA, Turkey Make Headway On Upgraded FTA

From June 1 to 4, 2015, delegates from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states and Turkey met in Ankara for the third round of negotiations on the modernization and expansion of their existing free trade agreement (FTA). 

We Should Get to Decide How the Government Spends our Taxes

In his 1992 Republican National Convention speech, President George H. W. Bush proposed letting taxpayers commit up to 10 percent of their payment to reducing the national debt. The proposal never went anywhere, but it points to a good idea: Taxpayers should be able to designate how their tax dollars are spent. Already, we allow for this in very limited ways. 

Tax Policy, Double Taxation, Tax Reform, and the Proper Definition of Income

With so many Americans currently filled with anxiety about their annual tax forms, this is the time of year that many people wistfully dream about how nice it would be to have a simple and fair flat tax. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles to better tax policy. I’ve previously addressed some of these obstacles.

Cameron plays inheritance tax card

David Cameron has moved to seize the initiative in the General Election battle, with a promise to end inheritance tax on properties worth up to L1 million.

What if we don’t have sufficient intellectual property rights?

A significant body of economic work establishes that strong, effective intellectual property rights foster innovation, especially in high tech industries. Moreover, innovation creates sustained economic growth and economic growth creates jobs. Accordingly, any commitment to U.S. jobs must start with a commitment to effective IP rights. But what if those intellectual property rights are insufficient? What if patent protection isn’t effect or transparent or enforced? The answer is: investments in innovation won’t happen and neither will job creation.

Tax Code: in whose interests remaking?

Amendments to the Tax Code were presented for public comment on March 19. The initiator of the document is the deputy of Ata-Zhurt faction Azamat Arapbaev. The proposed document exempts domestic enterprises, investing large sums in production in the home country, from income tax.

Tax Office 'Too Cosy’ With Accountants, MPs Warn

The relationship between the UK tax office and large accountancy firms which advise corporations is „too cosy”, a financial watchdog has warned. Members of the Commons Public Accounts Committee also said they remained concerns some multinational companies trading in the UK were not paying the right amount of tax.

Russia Will Deploy ?Digital Fingerprinting? to Enforce Copyright Online

A register containing information about intellectual property rights holders in Russia will be created by the Ministry of Communications and Media, Deputy Minister Alexei Volin said Friday. RAPSI reports that such a register would likely be based on the principle of digital fingerprinting and would be used to “track and protect copyrighted files online.”

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners

Area of origin could add value to EU exports

Farmers, food processors, and manufacturers who want to make the most of tariff-free access to Europe should use origin-based intellectual property rights (IPR) to increase their competitiveness against other Southeast Asian countries exporting similar goods to Europe, officials of European Union (EU) to the Philippines and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said on Wednesday.

Intellectual Property Vital for Investment and Innovation

It’s an acronym that might be thought to only excite lawyers, but the importance of IP (intellectual property) to the economy cannot be understated. If we want a business environment that promotes trade and investment, it’s crucial that we’re seen as a global leader in this area.

French Court Copyright Law Ruling Threatens Art Market Price Transparency

A French court has ruled that a French photographer of furniture for auction house catalogs has a claim for damages against artnet (parent company of artnet News) for violation of copyright with regard to photographs of furniture, owned by third parties, sold at auction and reproduced along with sales results in the artnet price database, the world’s most popular and comprehensive database for art, decorative objects and antique sales.

EU needs renewed consensus on intellectual property rights

Intellectual property rights are one of the driving forces of innovation and creativity and are a key contributor to competitiveness and employment in the European Union. Both online and offline should be considered in policy actions against intellectual property rights infringement, but it is clear that online issues are of greatest concern to the majority of citizens.

Patent trolls must not be allowed to encroach on Europe

Regarded by some as patent pirates, so-called patent trolls may soon come under attack in the US as part of government-backed efforts against abusive intellectual property (IP) litigation. As a general rule, we can say that patent trolls make their living from pursuing legal action against organisations that use patented technology. They do this by asserting, or threatening to assert, patent rights, which may or may not exist, in court against industry players.

Kazakhstan Is The New Black

The entire investment community overlooks countries like Kazakhstan in favor of countries that they know more about, such as Europe (debt ridden), China (overhyped), and Japan (one foot in the grave). But if you look at where capital is going, you will see that this country is where a not insignificant amount of capital is now flowing. A word of caution to all of you out there who think I’m giving out free investment advice. I’m not. Investing in Kazakhstan is not for the weak-hearted – so be sure to do your own research.

EU probe poses fresh threat to our 12.5pc corporate tax rate

Ireland is facing a fresh threat to its 12.5pc corporate tax rate, as MEPs begin investigating low rates across Europe. A 45-member EU Parliament Tax Inquiry Committee, formed in the wake of the Lux Leaks scandal, has been tasked with investigating various tax arrangements in countries across Europe.

French tax on Britons’ second homes illegal

France has lost its tax war against British second home owners after the European Union’s top court deemed it „illegal” to force them to pay social charges on gains from renting or selling their properties.

European Parliament Votes to Cap Credit Card Processing Fees

The reformed legislation would cap fees for credit cards at 0.3% of the transaction and debit cards at 0.2%, and will also give merchants the opportunity to accept only consumer cards if they choose. The European Commission reports a potential savings of €6 billion (euros) or $8.43 billion in U.S. dollars for retailers in hidden fees, as well as a €730 million savings for consumers.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

Russia Plays Big Role in Cyber Spying, Hacking

Late in October, computer networks at the White House were breached by an outside group, causing disruptions throughout the entire system. White House officials were quick to point out that the hacked systems did not contain classified information, and moved swiftly to plug the security holes.

WIPO Seminar Could Rekindle Discussions On Genetic Resources, TK

After the failure to agree on work to be done by the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on genetic resources and traditional knowledge at the last general assembly, and a barren calendar of meetings on the subject, WIPO is organising a seminar aimed at sharing regional, national and local experiences.

Russia Reveals it Does Not Plan to Impose Export Tax on Fertilizers and Metals

Russia does not plan to impose export tax on fertilizers and metals, Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich said Friday, calming concern large exporters would be hit by state efforts to cool prices. Some ministries have suggested export curbs after the ruble slump encouraged exports and inflated domestic prices.

Germany imposes second highest air tax in Europe

The UK imposes the highest tax on flying in Europe by a big margin, according to new analysis by the British Air Transport Association (Bata). Passengers paid over €4 billion (£3.14 billion) in Air Passenger Duty last year, compared with €1 billion (£745 million) raised by Germany’s equivalent aviation tax.

Austerity, A New Weaselword

The financial press has become inundated with the word “austerity.” Since Greece’s left-wing Syriza proclaimed an “anti-austerity revolution,” strong adjectives, like “incredibly savage,” precede that overused word. What was once a good word has become a weaselword. That, according to the Oxford Dictionary, is “a word that destroys the force of a statement, as a weasel ruins an egg by sucking out its contents.” How could that be?

Europe seeks automatic exchange of sensitive tax data between states

Sensitive tax details of Irish companies and multinationals based here will be automatically accessible to revenue authorities across Europe, under new rules the European Commission will formally propose next month. The European Commission launched what it said is an „ambitious agenda to combat tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning” yesterday.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement ?featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

Uzbekistan’s Bubbling Pot of Destabilization

Something’s cooking in Uzbekistan, and it’s not just plov. The country’s political stability is on the line as a power struggle is underway for control in a post-Karimov reality that is soon approaching. President Islam Karimov himself has been increasingly sidelined as of late, even being pressured to place his own daughter, once thought to be his handpicked successor, under house arrest.

EU Plan To Install A Tracking Computer In Every Car To Tax Miles

A Senior European politician has caused outrage by calling for computers to be fitted in all European cars as part of an EU wide road pricing system. Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc said the current system which is decided by national parliaments was “a burden on car drivers and an obstacle to their mobility” she told German newspaper ‘World on Sunday’.

Belgium on EU radar over corporate tax scheme

Belgium has slipped on to the European Commission’s anti-trust radar for a scheme allowing multinationals to escape paying due tax on as much as 90 percent of their profits.EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager Tuesday (3 February) noted that the scheme only benefits multinationals and not „stand alone” companies or Belgian-only companies.

Why Businesses Migrate from Greece to Bulgaria: Smaller Government Is Cheaper

What “prompted many Greek manufacturers to relocate to neighboring Bulgaria” is not just less-capricious regulation, as The Wall Street Journal suggests, but also the much lower cost of government. Bulgaria has a 10% flat tax on corporate and personal income and a 20% VAT. Greece has a 49% personal income tax, 26% corporate tax, 45% payroll tax and 23% VAT.

European committee may question Noonan on corporate tax avoidance

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan may be summoned to appear before a special European Parliament committee on corporate tax avoidance, after MEPs yesterday agreed to set up a parliamentary committee to examine tax rulings in the wake of the “Lux Leaks” scandal.

’Nobody believes Ireland is not a tax haven’ – UN official

A UNITED Nations official has launched a scathing attack on Ireland over its corporation tax regime. Philip Alston, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, accused the country of supplementing the 12.5pc rate with a raft of schemes that appear designed to allow tax avoidance by big companies in return for a „pittance in reward”.

EU Tax Law Could Make Bitcoin Transactions Invalid

A recent amendment to EU tax law could mean trouble for bitcoin, as many believe it will make transactions using the cryptocurrency more difficult. In an effort to ensure that Value Added Tax (VAT) is paid on electronic transactions, the new law mandates that companies record the country of residence for each customer.

France: Street artist brutally attacked for „Coexist” artwork

Combo won’t describe the “young people” who attacked him, as “it would only add fuel to the fire.” In saying that, he makes clear who they were. Even though Combo dresses in the garb of a devout Muslim, his art offends Muslim hardliners who don’t like seeing the Islamic crescent next to the Star of David and the cross. “Coexist,” indeed.

Europe to close gap with Japan and Korea in automotive propulsion IP

A global study of the automotive industry’s patent activity has shown a sharp upturn in innovation to develop new propulsion technologies. According to patent attorneys Withers & Rogers, while much of this innovation activity is currently being undertaken by Japanese and Korean manufacturers, European activity in this area is expected to grow in the next few years.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

IMF Reduces 2015 Global Growth Forecast

The International Monetary Fund reduced its global growth forecast for 2015-16, warning the increase from cheaper crude oil prices would be offset by disappointing economic prospects for Russia, Japan, China, Europe and oil producers. In the organization’s World Economic Outlook Update, the IMF predicted Tuesday the world’s economy would increase by 3.5 percent this year and 3.7 percent in 2016, up from 3.3 percent in 2014. However, these predictions are still lower than previous estimates. In October, the IMF predicted global growth of 3.8 percent this year and 4 percent in 2016.

Greeks Vote Against Euro and For Democracy

Greece has been in economic crisis seemingly for eternity. Even in the Euro the system could not generate the growth necessary to repay the debt:  the economy was hamstrung by enervating work rules, corrupting political influences, profiteering economic cartels, and debilitating cultural norms.

Cameron Pledges U.K. Tax Cuts After 'Years of Sacrifice’?

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to cut income tax so that Britons can put “years of sacrifice” behind them if he is returned to power after the general election in May. Cameron’s Conservatives will cut taxes at a cost of 7 billion pounds ($10.5 billion) over the next 5-year Parliament, while eliminating the budget deficit, Cameron said in a speech in Southampton, southern England Monday.

Russian science minister explains radical restructure

Once a scientific powerhouse, Russia has experienced over the past 25 years a dramatic decline of its research and development capacities and is now lagging far behind other industrialized nations in terms of scientific output. And in the past year, Russia’s economy has suffered multiple blows, including Western sanctions following its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and the collapse of the price of oil and gas, the principal sources of income for the government. Researchers in and outside the country have fretted about the implications for Russian research and its role in international collaborations.

Progressive Visions for the Future of Copyright in Europe

Last year, we identified European copyright reform as one of the main developments to watch for in 2015, and barely a month into the year this debate is already heating up. Coinciding with the release of a draft European Parliament report written by Julia Reda, Member of the European Parliament for the German Pirate Party, Copyright for Creativity (C4C) have also released their own new Copyright Manifesto this week.

NBKr hosts public forum on proposed new banking laws

The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan (NBKr) recently hosted its first public discussion of draft laws that may impact the country’s banking laws. The drafts consisted of amendments and additions to specific legislative acts within the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

Vladimir Putin’s economic plan: Bread and vodka

Small businesses make up only about 22 percent of the Russian economy, compared to 46% in the United States, according to Reuters Blogs. Inspections and demands for extortion show the contempt Putin has towards a major engine of economic growth. Following Tsar Nicholas II and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, the current Russian President is resorting to price controls on vodka and export tariffs on grain to protect his reputation.

Kazakhstan’s Economic Outreach

Kazakhstan has unveiled a new investment campaign and commercial, “Invest in Kazakhstan” aimed at attracting foreign investment. The commercial highlights the benefits for foreign investors: Exemption from corporate income tax, land tax, property tax, and customs duties for 10 years, “state-in-kind grants, stability of investment legislation, strong protection of investor’s rights, no work permits for foreign labor, visa-free entry for citizens of many countries,” and “still not good enough? Thirty percent cash back on your investments.”

Bulgaria says it will start talks to join the euro

Bulgaria will begin talks on adopting the euro, its finance minister said on Thursday (15 January), adding that the Balkan country may join the preliminary exchange-rate mechanism for eurozone entry by the end of 2018, Nova television reported.

Cross-Border tax competition to heat up

Draft laws to cut the corporate tax rate in the North raise the prospect of tougher competition for foreign investment within Ireland and with Britain. The British government’s move sets a precedent which could yet be replicated for Scotland, deepening Britain’s challenge to Ireland’s commanding lead in the race for multinational jobs.

Amazon tax deal with Luxembourg was 'cosmetic’

The European Union said Luxembourg hastily approved a “cosmetic” tax deal with Amazon in 11 days, allowing the company to shift profits to a tax-free unit. The EU told Luxembourg officials in a letter that the deal, based on a “cosmetic arrangement,” gives the Internet retailer an unfair advantage over competitors and does not comply with global standards.

EU’s Plan To Implement Interchange Fee Caps Will Raise Costs For Consumers

Member states in the European Union have agreed to implement a uniform cap across the region on interchange fees for electronic payment systems. In response to this dangerous policy, Americans for Tax Reform has released an international coalition letter together with 76,000 European consumers and nine free market advocacy groups from countries across the world outlining their opposition.

EEU to sign agreements on protection of intellectual property in 2015

In the wake of the intellectual property agreements to be signed by the Eurasian Economic Union, the Minister of Justice of Kazakhstan Berik Imashev observed recent trends in registration and protection of trademarks, copyrights and other types of intellectual property in Kazakhstan, Tengrinews reports citing BNews.kz.

Seizing Assets in Crimea, From Shipyard to Film Studio

In the scramble for Crimea’s spoils, armed forces have raided myriad enterprises across the peninsula, expelling the owners and claiming the property for the Crimean government. At the Zaliv Shipyard in Kerch, the militia invaded by land and by sea, with dozens storming the dry dock from two boats, said Nicolay Kuzmenko, the chairman of the shipyard’s board.

Top European Copyright Experts Urge Reform, Unification Of Copyright

The European Copyright Society, an august group of copyright experts from across Europe, has issued a letter to new European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Günther Oettinger supporting his mandate to pursue copyright reform and calling for a unification of European copyright laws.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

The End of Cuba’s Double Despotism

The story goes that when President John F. Kennedy decided impose the trade embargo on Cuba in 1962 he told his press secretary, Pierre Salinger, to buy up Cuban cigars prior to its going into effect. Salinger obliged the president’s request and delivered 1,201 Petit H. Upmanns (Kennedy’s favorite) to the White House the next morning.

The Deficit and the Debt: The facts

Politicians won’t stop talking about „balancing the books” – but not all of them seem to be quite sure how to do it, or indeed, what books they’re supposed to be balancing. We’ve given them a hand.

Report: Mitt Romney Placing Calls to Build 2016 Coalition

Reportedly telling one senior Republican he “almost certainly will” run for the Republican nomination in 2016, Mitt Romney is said to be spending his time using the phone to re-establish past relationships to that end, as well as engaging in a bit of fence mending.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners

Will there be a new UK Patent Box?

The Finance Act 2012 introduced the UK Patent Box whereby, for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2013, a company may elect for so much of its profits as arise from the exploitation of relevant patents to be brought within the new tax regime which, in broad terms, aims to reduce the effective rate of corporation tax on such profits to 10%.

Spain’s Legislation Draws Big Partner in IP Piracy Effort

Last month, the Spanish Government passed intellectual property (IP) legislation colloquially dubbed, the “Google Tax.” The law fines internet aggregators like Google which display extracts of Spanish news agencies‘ articles in search results.

Crowdfunding must ensure IP rights are not infringed

Crowdfunding as an alternative way of financing a business or project is growing rapidly both internationally and in Ireland. Globally the market is estimated to be worth $15 billion, representing a huge opportunity for up-and-coming businesses and platforms.

Kyrgyzstan enters the Customs Union to raise its standard of living ?The Times of Central Asia?

On December 23, Kyrgyzstan will sign treaties on accession to the Customs Union and Common Economic Space of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan at a summit of the Eurasian Economic Union, Kyrgyzstan Economy Minister Temir Sariyev said. The Eurasian Economic Union will start operating from January 2015 and provide free movement of goods, services, capital and workforce.  According to EEU founders, membership is open to other states that share their goals and principles.

Russia admits action to buoy rouble

Russia’s central bank has admitted it intervened to support the rouble in foreign currency markets last week spending a total of $4.53bn (£2.9bn). It has spent more than $70bn supporting the rouble since the start of the year.

Juncker seeks to bypass vetoes on tax reform

European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has indicated he will try and get around member states’ veto powers over fiscal issues when he proposes new laws to clamp down on tax avoidance. In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, he said he may use a majority vote to get a forthcoming law on the automatic exchange of tax rulings (letters that give companies favourable tax conditions) passed.

French pharma group shifts IP to Ireland

French pharmaceutical company Flamel Technologies is to shift all its intangible property from Ireland to France as a part of a global reorganisation. The deal wil result in a one time tax payment of $14 million to the French government, and the intangible property Flamel will move includes patents on its drug delivery platform technologies, clinical data sets and other intangible assets related to its pipeline of proprietary products in development.

Are They Haven A Laugh?

A presentation in Dublin on international tax and Ireland by free market lobbyists Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) chaired by Eamon Delaney – urging Ireland to resist EU tax harmonisation, keep our 12.5 per cent (and usually a lot less) corporation tax rate.

What Can the United States Learn from Europe?

For the very first time, Free Market Road Show hits the American soil on November 11 in Lubbock, Texas. The panel discussion organized by The Austrian Economics Center and co-sponsored by The Free Market Institute focused on the European economic and political experience following the onset of the international financial and economic downturn. Each speaker addressed different aspects and what caused the crisis and the role that government fiscal, monetary and regulatory policies have played in prolonging – and, in some cases, worsening – economic conditions throughout the European Union and in countries on the periphery of the European Union.

US lobby pleads with Ireland to keep business-friendly taxes

America’s nominal corporate tax rate is almost 40pc, the highest in the OECD. The Americans for Tax Reform group wants the rate cut to make it more competitive. „As a result of our high corporate rate and our global taxation system, American companies are at a strong competitive disadvantage,” ATR chief of staff Christopher Butler said at an event in Dublin yesterday.

Corporate tax rate down; tax revenues up

While corporation tax payments in the UK have declined by 7.4% (£0.5bn) on last year, this was driven largely by high operating costs and capital investment in 2014, and by lower tax receipts from the North Sea companies. Stripping out oil & gas companies, corporation tax actually increased by 6.7%, according to a survey by PwC.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

B2B: 'Deoffshorization.’ What Else Can a Bright Tax Future Bring?

By the end of the year, Russia is expected to make changes to the Internal Revenue Code on the control of foreign companies. It is an important law for the „deoffshorization” of the Russian economy, which is one of the most discussed topics in Russian business. Russia is the last of the largest world economies to create an institute of controlled foreign companies in national taxation law.

Ruble Climbs as Russia Tax Deadline Spurs Demand From Exporters

The ruble gained for a second day as a rebound in oil and an approaching tax deadline prompted some Russian exporters to sell foreign currency. The ruble rose 0.8 percent to 46.75 against the dollar at 1:32 p.m. in Moscow. Ten-year government-bond yields fell from a five-year high, declining eight basis points to 10.27 percent. Brent crude gained 0.5 percent to $79.73, after falling as much as 0.6 percent.

Taxes on soap, alcohol among Hungary’s latest levies

Hungarian lawmakers on Tuesday approved new taxes on soap, alcohol, advertising and supermarkets, the latest in a series of unorthodox levies put forward by controversial Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The new measures came after a proposed Internet tax on downloads was shelved last month following major protests.

Corporate tax rate down; tax revenues up

While corporation tax payments in the UK have declined by 7.4% (?0.5bn) on last year, this was driven largely by high operating costs and capital investment in 2014, and by lower tax receipts from the North Sea companies. Stripping out oil & gas companies, corporation tax actually increased by 6.7%,  according to a survey by PwC.

Markets Everywhere

The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist.

Russian Cyber Espionage Under The Microscope

Russia mostly has been known for its notorious cybercrime underground, but its cyber espionage activity over the past year has come into sharper focus after a wave of publicized targeted cyberspying campaigns.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

France’s unpopular Hollande vows no new taxes from next year

(Reuters) – French President Francois Hollande said on Thursday he would impose no new taxes on anyone in France starting next year as he sought to shake off record-low approval ratings and bolster confidence halfway through a deeply unpopular presidency.

WIPO Committee On Development And IP Opens With Overloaded Agenda

The World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) opened today with a heavy agenda and open issues that carried over from past sessions. In particular, delegates are expected to find agreement on a list of speakers, which would unlock the convening of an international conference on IP and development.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

Russia to introduce new tariffs on natural gas for Turkey

A recent draft making some amendments to the taxation of several products was passed in Russia’s State Duma (lower house of parliament) on Wednesday. The draft, should it pass in the Federation Council (upper house of parliament), will enforce tariffs on natural gas exported by Russia’s state-owned gas company, Gazprom, to Turkey via the Blue Stream pipeline.

Russia Moves to Clamp Down on Offshore Tax Shelters

Russia’s government has approved a new tax law to clamp down on Russian companies and individuals using offshore tax shelters. The law is part of a range of measures initiated by President Vladimir Putin and collectively known as „deoffshorization” that are aimed at bringing Russian businesses and money home from foreign jurisdictions.

UBS Executive: Sanctions Pain on Russia Has Only Just Begun

There’s been little progress resolving the Ukraine crisis, and Russia’s pain from sanctions could be just beginning. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Western leaders are trading blame over continued bloodshed in Eastern Ukraine. And German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday that sanctions against Russia would stay in place.

Europe’s wealth-distribution policies hinder growth

In terms of policy and politics, most Europeans seem to come down on the side of high tax rates in order to maintain and bolster social programs. Americans have traditionally shunned this philosophy. Treating people fairly is important to Americans, but for the most part they favor policies that incentivize investment in a productive enterprise rather than the expansion of social programs.

More Than 50 Countries Sign Tax Deal

Officials from more than 50 countries signed an agreement they said marks a decisive step in combating tax evasion, a top priority for austerity-hit countries in Europe as they seek to fill depleted state coffers

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

Abolish National Insurance says the Centre for Policy Studies

A new report from the Centre for Policy Studies has called for National Insurance to be abolished. The report, NICs: The End Should Be Nigh, recommends replacing employee’s National Insurance Contributions and Income Tax on earned income with a new ‘Earnings Tax’.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

Amid International Pressure, Ireland Standing Firm on „Sovereign Right”

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released a plan last Tuesday that will „change the rules of the game” to prevent corporations from shifting profits between different countries. At the same time, Washington has said it plans to crackdown on firms relocating to lower tax jurisdictions. 

Cameron offers ?7bn tax cuts

Cameron offers £7bn tax cuts and warns vote for Ukip would let Labour in The election starts here, as Cameron warns ‘you could go to bed on 7 May with Nigel Farage and wake up with Ed Miliband’

Next big threat to markets: Higher corporate taxes

The winding up of quantitative easing. A return to normal levels of interest rates. The slowdown in corporate profits. A geopolitical crisis in the Ukraine or the Middle East. There is no shortage of challenges to the markets right now. But the biggest long-term threat may be one that hardly anyone is focusing on. Tougher corporate taxes.

Taoiseach defends Ireland?s corporate tax rate

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has defended Ireland’s corporate tax rate of 12.5 per cent, dismissing suggestions that the ‘Double Irish’ was some Irish government creation designed to attract multinational companies to Ireland.

Austria targets 5 bln euros in tax relief to boost growth

(Reuters) – Austria aims to put together a tax relief package worth at least 5 billion euros ($6.3 billion) next year, which could promote growth in a sluggish economy without boosting deficits and debt, officials said on Saturday.

Belarus sends suggestions to Russia to address tax issues

MINSK, 2 October (BelTA) – Belarus has submitted suggestions to Russia to resolve the issues over Russia’s tax maneuver, Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich told President Alexander Lukashenko on 2 October, BelTA has learned.

Towards A New Era Of Polish Leadership

The Warsaw Enterprise Institute, which counts with the support of a business association, began conducting monthly coalition building meetings this week. It follows the style of the Wednesday meetings of the Washington DC based Americans for Tax Reform.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

State regards 12.5% corporate tax rate as ?sovereign right?

The Government will take “very serious account” of suggested changes to tackle global corporate tax avoidance but the 12.5 per cent company tax rate will remain as a “sovereign right”, the Irish ambassador to the US told an investor conference in Washington.

OECD unveils proposals to curb corporate tax avoidance

(Reuters) – New international tax rules proposed on Tuesday could eliminate structures that have allowed companies such as Google Inc (GOOGL.O) and Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) to shave billions of dollars off their tax bills.

IPR crackdown continues to reap rewards

A report released by the European Commission actions to enforce intellectual property rights (IPR) shows authorities in the EU detained almost 36 million items suspected of violating IPR in 2013.

Atlas Network World 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

The EU’s Anti-Austerity Hypocrites

The European Union (EU) is still in the midst of an economic slump. Many members of the political class in Brussels claim that fiscal austerity is to blame. But, this diagnosis is wrong.

Ireland’s Proposed Tax

Ireland’s Proposed Tax Changes Could Destroy Its International Competitiveness, Push Business Away.

UK IP Law Gets Makeover

In good news for advocates of IP rights, the UK Intellectual Property Act has received Royal Assent.

WORLD 10 – 14.08.2014

AtlasNetwork World10: the top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement?featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

European Students for Liberty

We’re proud to announce the first ever European Students For Liberty Ukraine Summit, coming to Kiev on the weekend of November 29-30th, 2014.

Liberty School

How to use the ideas and literature of liberty to teach English worldwide.

Be Free with English

Liberty is a precious thing. Unfortunately it cannot be taken for granted all the time.

EU Closes Tax Loophole Concerning Hybrid Instruments

The EU has announced that it would change the parent-subsidiary directive, to prevent groups benefiting from double non-taxation in the case of intragroup cross-border hybrid arrangements, where the receipt is by the parent company of the group.

Germany rejects calls to stop tax anomaly before 2017

The German government rejected on Monday calls from within the ruling coalition to adjust the tax system before the next election in 2017 so that people’s pay rises are not wiped out when they are pushed into higher tax brackets.

Call for Applications

The Center for Institutional Analysis and Development – Eleutheria (CADI), The Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS), The Wilfried Martens Center for European Studies (CES), The Institute for Economic Studies Europe (IES- Europe) and The Society for Individual Freedom (SoLib) are receiving applications for The September School of Economics, Politics and Philosophy, scheduled for September 23 – 28, 2014 at a hotel in Brasov (exact location to be updated soon).

Does Immigration Impact Economic Freedom?

CATO Institute: The economics literature generally finds a positive, but small, gain in income to native-born populations from immigrants and potentially large gains in world incomes.

How We Can Increase Opportunity

Opening the doors of opportunity to every American is an all-hands-on-deck effort. It requires policy reforms and community leadership.

Why So Many French Strikes? Lessons in ?Social Models”?

In France the frequency of strikes has gone down during the last generation. But the country is still prone to social conflict — as the latest strikes demonstrate — and if the necessary reforms are implemented, more are to be expected.

No tax policy at a European level

Budapest  Business Journal: The European Union should stop taking away power from Member States, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Brussels yesterday, before attending an EU summit.

The Fiscal Impact of Immigration

The fiscal impact of immigration — how immigrants and their descendants affect government budgets — is a widely debated and contentious issue

The welfare state is enslaving European workers

For the Germans, July 8 was a good day. Not just because it also happened to be your columnist’s birthday or because of Germany’s emphatic 7-1 win over Brazil in the World Cup, but because this year, it also marked Germany’s Tax Freedom Day.

The Atlas Network

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement?featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

Structural Deficiencies, Regulatory Policy and National Regulator Malpractice in the Electricity Sector in Bulgaria

In response to repeated disputes between players in Bulgaria power sector, and to worrying signals of repeated regulatory failure and delayed liberalization, the Institute for Market Economics had undertaken analytical efforts to review the practices of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC), the national regulator. This report summarizes these efforts.

The Failure of Macroeconomics

Output per capita fell almost 10 percentage points below trend in the 2008 recession. It has since grown at less than 1.5%, and lost more ground relative to trend.

The euro is coming

The European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission announced that Lithuania satisfied the criteria for adopting the euro.

A problem in the UK?s energy market

Ofgem has referred the retail energy market for investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Unfortunately, Ofgem’s rules to achieve ‘simpler’ tariffs also restrict competition, limit customer choice and deter innovation.

Ukraine Media Watch

Under the Ukraine Media Watch project Freedom House and IMI monitor freedom of the press and speech.

NEW PRIVATE MONIES

Institute of Economic Affairs: new private monies can outcompete government monetary systems

ECONOMIC POLICY REVIEW

Instittue for Market Economics:Structural Deficiencies, Regulatory Policy and National Regulator Malpractice in the Electricity Sector in Bulgaria.

LIBERTY IN TURKEY

„While covering demonstrations in Istanbul recently to mark the anniversary of the Gezi protests, correspondent Ivan Watson was shoved, kicked, and birefly detained during a live broadcast on CNN International. Unfortunately this illustrates all too well the deterioration of civil liberties in Turkey over the past year”.

The 2014 Universe of Public Expenditures

The Institute of Economic and Social Studies (INESS), an Atlas Network partner, just released the English version of The 2014 Universe of Public Expenditures, a poster with a graphical representation of all public expenditures financed by taxes and contributions in the state of Slovakia.

Nations in Transit 2014

In a new raport Freedom House highlights Russia’s pivotal role in a decade-long decline in democracy among the countries of the post-Soviet sphere.
fot. https://flic.kr/p/4MU1ia

WORLD 10

The top 10 happenings around the world in the global freedom movement?featuring the work of Atlas Network partners.

New mentorship program

This year, Atlas Network launched an international mentorship program pairing successful and innovative think tank veterans with some of the brightest and most promising young professionals in the worldwide freedom movement.

Less tax more income

Possible sources of a public pension offset are mainly discussed in three ways: higher taxes, spending cuts, and the privatization of state property.

Atlas Leadership Academy

The Atlas Leadership Academy (ALA) is a flexible curriculum of online courses and onsite training programs that allow you to gain the skills you need to succeed in the world of free market think tanks.