Coutts, the NatWest-owned private bank reputed to have the British monarch as its client, has raised its minimum client threshold from the previous £1 million to £3 million (€3.44 million, $4.05 million) in available assets (investments or cash savings). This shift reflects its strategy to focus on serving high-net-worth individuals. In effect from April 2026, […]
OHADA stands for Organisation pour l’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires (Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa), was established in 1993 and consists currently of 17 member states, primarily in West and Central Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo […]
I sit on the terrace after a morning swim with my laptop on my lap, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere of a sunny morning on one of the last days of this outgoing year. What was this “old” year like and what will the “new” year 2026 be like? Turbulent? Surprising? Or even shocking? In […]
Cyprus’s real estate market is thriving, with apartment prices in key regions showing remarkable growth over the past decade. The recovery from the financial crisis of the early 2010s has strengthened, supported by steady demand from both local buyers and overseas investors. Property values continue to climb, reflecting a vibrant market with significant long-term potential. […]
Kenya has been an economic success story in Africa. However, current tax regime is heavily reliant on income and consumption taxes and disproportionately impact low- and middle-income earners. Hence, there are calls for a progressive wealth tax that would shift part of the fiscal burden to the wealthiest households. Proposed models include tiered rates on […]
The issue of how to tax cloud computing services when provided by foreign big tech companies has been much disputed in recent years. On one side, tax officials argue that foreign companies that receive payments for technology-related services, like cloud computing or internet leased lines provided to Indian customers, are essentially earning royalty or fees […]
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud services provider selling cloud computing services in India. In 2023, an Indian tax office issued an order that income earned by AWS on cloud computing services provided to Indian clients amounted to royalty and fees for included service and therefore taxable. Thus, the sum of $147 million was […]
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces increasing fiscal pressure amid rising borrowing costs which is challenging the budget borrowing limits. With Labour government having ruled out both, further tax increases and further spending cuts, alternative revenue sources are under scrutiny. Campaigners propose taxing the super-rich to raise funds without affecting working families, though critics warn this […]
The UK government’s recent reform of the non-domicile tax regime is resulting in a marked decline in high-end tax receipts and placing increased strain on public finances. The revised policy has triggered the departure of numerous ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNI) who previously contributed a disproportionate share of the UK’s tax revenue. Recent fiscal data indicates a […]
South Africa’s fiscal framework is under increasing strain due to high tax rates and a disproportionately narrow tax base. The proposed value-added tax increase and persistently high personal and corporate income taxes are prompting capital flight and the emigration of high-net-worth individuals. A limited number of taxpayers contribute the majority of government revenue, highlighting a […]
