In the most recent Washington legislative session, lawmakers declined to extend several important research and development (R&D) tax incentives in Washington. The High Technology B&O Tax Credit for R&D Spending and the High Technology Sales and Use Tax Deferral/Waiver, will expire December 31, 2014. While there is some possibility these incentives will be restored in 2015, taxpayers should proceed as if these incentives will expire permanently at December 31, 2014.

Many taxpayers know of the high technology B&O tax credit, which provides a B&O tax credit of roughly 1.5% of taxpayer’s research and development expenditures. Although not as well known, the high technology sales and use tax deferral is also a valuable incentive to high-technology businesses investing in research and development facilities. Although the Read More

California State Board of Equalization Manufacturing Exemption from Sales and Use Tax is Scheduled to Begin in July, 2014

A law created by Governor Brown’s 2013 Economic Development Initiative allows certain businesses in manufacturing or in the fields of biotechnology or physical, engineering, and life sciences to purchase or lease manufacturing or research and development equipment at a reduced sales and use tax rate for purchases occurring on or after July 1, 2014. (See Assembly Bill 93 (Stats. 2013, Ch. 69) and Senate Bill 90 (Stats. 2013, Ch. 70); and Revenue & Taxation Code section 6377.1.) The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) will be the agency overseeing and implementing this manufacturing exemption. Read More

Apart from a highly skilled, English speaking workforce; membership of the E.U.; an excellent standard of living for employees seconded to Ireland; a large network of international routes and a successful track record of investment, research and development from United States corporations there are many advantages to setting up Intellectual Property Trading companies in Ireland.

The main focus of this article is the tax advantages which can be summarized under the following headings and viewed in Parts 1 through 4 on TaxConnections Worldwide Tax Blogs:

1.  Corporation Tax – Part 1
2.  Capital Allowances – Part 2
3.  Research & Development Relief – Part 3
4.  Withholding Tax – Part 4
5.  Stamp Duty and Summary – Part 4

4. WITHHOLDING TAX

In general, Irish resident companies must deduct 20% withholding tax on dividends and other profit distributions.

There are, however, a number of situations where shareholders can receive dividends free from withholding tax from an Irish resident company providing certain documentation is filed.  For example: Read More

Apart from a highly skilled, English speaking workforce; membership of the E.U.; an excellent standard of living for employees seconded to Ireland; a large network of international routes and a successful track record of investment, research and development from United States corporations there are many advantages to setting up Intellectual Property Trading companies in Ireland.

The main focus of this article is the tax advantages which can be summarized under the following headings and viewed in Parts 1 through 4 on TaxConnections Worldwide Tax Blogs:

1.  Corporation Tax – Part 1
2.  Capital Allowances – Part 2
3.  Research & Development Relief – Part 3
4.  Withholding Tax – Part 4
5.  Stamp Duty and Summary – Part 4

3. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT RELIEF

Background

The 2012 Finance Act introduced a new tax relief which allowed a company to surrender a portion of its R&D tax credit to key employees engaged in research and development activities.

This relief reduced the employee’s Income Tax (but not Universal Social Charge) on relevant emoluments providing the employee’s effective income tax rate didn’t fall below 23% in any tax year.

To be eligible for this relief: Read More

Apart from a highly skilled, English speaking workforce; membership of the E.U.; an excellent standard of living for employees seconded to Ireland; a large network of international routes and a successful track record of investment, research and development from United States corporations there are many advantages to setting up Intellectual Property Trading companies in Ireland. 

The main focus of this article is the tax advantages which can be summarized under the following headings and viewed in Parts 1 through 4 on TaxConnections Worldwide Tax Blogs:

1.  Corporation Tax – Part 1
2.  Capital Allowances – Part 2
3.  Research & Development Relief – Part 3
4.  Withholding Tax – Part 4
5.  Stamp Duty and Summary – Part 4

1. CORPORATION TAX

Ireland has one of the lowest corporation tax rates on trading income in the world.  The standard rate is 12½% on trading profits.

A 25% rate is charged on non-trading and foreign source income.  It is the rate applied to “passive income.”

To be eligible for the 12½% Corporation Tax rate the following criteria must apply: Read More