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David Jakovljevic Croatia and the UK have signed an agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and on capital gains. The agreement was duly signed on January 15 2015 and will enter into force when both countries complete their parliamentary procedures and exchange a diplomatic note, which is expected by the end of 2015. The agreement applies to persons who are residents of one or both contracting states and covers (i) the taxes on income and on (ii) capital gains imposed on behalf of a contracting state, irrespective of the manner in which they are levied. The agreement is expected to facilitate an increase in direct investments between Croatia and UK.

Bob van der Made When it presented its annual Commission Work Programme for 2015 on December 16 2014, the European Commission (EC) stated that it would also clamp down on tax evasion and tax avoidance to ensure that taxes are paid in the country where profits are generated. Initially, the Juncker Commission's priorities focused heavily on the theme of 'jobs and growth'. However, under pressure from the European Parliament and media reports in the third quarter of 2014, the Commission has made the fight against tax evasion and avoidance one of its top political priorities for 2015. A number of important legislative and non-legislative EC initiatives have therefore been rolled out from March onwards. On March 18 2015, the EC published a new 'tax transparency package' consisting of three elements.

Elena Kostovska On February 26 2015, the Kazakhstan Senate approved the double tax treaty signed with FYR Macedonia on July 2 2012. Given that the FYR Macedonian Parliament had already ratified the treaty on December 4 2012 and the ratification was published in the Official Gazette 154 on December 7 2012, it is expected that the treaty will be applicable as of 2016.

Mark Galea Salomone

Jelena Zivkovic On January 1, the Montenegrin Minister of Finance, Radoje Zugic announced that the crisis tax will remain in effect in 2015, but the rate at which it is levied will be reduced from 15% to 13%. This measure is temporary, and mentions that all earnings of €482.41 net (€720 gross) are taxed at the rate of 9% and the earnings exceeding this amount will be taxed at a rate of 13 %. This amount can be paid by the employer or employees, depending on the company's policy.

Fiona McClafferty In a region famous for its oil and the perception of widespread tax-free living, international tax agreements have generally made little difference to those in the Middle East. However, times are changing. The effects of Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and soon, the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), championed by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, will mean much more cross-border information exchange.

Chris Harker

Ramazan Biçer

It is widely recognised that Ireland is one of the major worldwide hubs for aircraft leasing and related financing structures. What is less well known is that Ireland’s tax system has been tailored to suit the needs of companies that require a base for shipping operations.

Because tax doesn’t have to be taxing. A less-than-serious look back at some of the quirkier tax stories from the past month.