A weekly summary of the top weekly tax news, trends
and developments in the Americas

 
     This week's tax news from the Americas

• Canada | British Columbia amends definition of software for PST purposes
  The 2024-25 British Columbia (BC) budget, tabled on 22 February 2024, announced retroactive amendments to the Provincial Sales Tax Act (PSTA) that seek to expand the definition of "software" and the taxability of the "use" of software in BC. The proposed amendments are consistent with the BC government's current administrative position with respect to the interpretation of the term "software," which emanates primarily in response to a 2023 BC Supreme Court (BCSC) decision. The proposed amendments are included in Bill 3, Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2024, which received second reading in the BC legislative assembly on 5 March 2024.

• Brazil postpones visa requirement for nationals of Australia, Canada and the US until April 2025
  On 9 April 2024, Brazil's government announced that the implementation of the visa requirement for nationals of Australia, Canada and the United States who travel to Brazil for business or tourism purposes has been postponed to 10 April 2025. Travelers who enter Brazil for business or tourism purposes before 10 April 2025 will not be required to obtain a visa, irrespective of when they depart from Brazil.

• Mexico announces new visa requirement for nationals of Peru
  Effective 20 April 2024, nationals of Peru must obtain a visa before entering Mexico for business, tourism or to transit through the country. Starting on this date, Peruvian nationals will be required to have a visitor visa before travel, a passport that is valid for at least 180 days and other supporting documents (e.g., invitation letter, hotel/flight reservation) to be admitted.

• Mexico suspends diplomatic relations with Ecuador
  The Mexican Government suspended diplomatic relations with Ecuador on 6 April 2024 in response to the unauthorized entry into the Mexican Embassy by the Ecuadorian police on the evening of 5 April 2024. Due to these events, Mexican diplomatic personnel have left the country and no Mexican visa applications can be filed currently in Ecuador. Individuals seeking to obtain a Mexican visa will need to travel to an alternate location where Mexico has a diplomatic outpost.

• Peru rescinds new rule requiring Mexican nationals to obtain a visa prior to entry
  On 11 April 2024, the Peruvian government passed Decree No. 012-2024-RE (“the Decree”) which states that Mexican nationals will not be required to obtain a visa prior to admission into the country. This follows the announcement on 8 April 2024 that Mexican nationals would require an entry visa to be admitted to Peru as of 23 April 2024. As a result of the Decree, Mexican nationals may continue to enter Peru using only their valid passports (without a visa) for business and tourism for up to 180 days per calendar year.

• USCIS increases automatic extension of certain Employment Authorization Documents to improve access to work permits
  On 4 April 2024, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that certain Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) will receive an automatic increased extension of work authorization from 180 days to 540 days. This temporary measure is intended to address USCIS processing backlogs and prevent gaps in employment while applicants await adjudication of their EAD renewal requests.

• Global Tax Policy and Controversy Watch | April 2024 edition
  EY’s Global Tax Policy and Controversy Watch highlights recent policy and administrative developments around the world. This month’s publication highlights (1) how to find certainty amid tax policy transformation; (2) US Administration affirms commitment to Pillar One, protecting US R&D in Pillar Two; and (3) OECD releases sixth annual peer review report and revised peer review documents on BEPS Action 6 relating to prevention of treaty abuse.

• PE Watch | Latest developments and trends, April 2024
  The latest edition of the PE Watch is available. This edition highlights an Indian court ruling that no further profit attribution was needed for a Singapore company’s Indian operations, and an Indian tribunal ruling on the physical presence requirement for a service permanent establishment.

 
     This week's newsletters

• EY Cross-Border Taxation Spotlight | 12 April
  Our weekly report with brief summaries of all the week's U.S. tax developments and related activity.

 
     This week's tax treaty news from the Americas

• Canada and Ukraine: free trade agreement approved by Ukrainian Parliament
• Curaçao and Suriname: tax treaty initialed
• United States and Spain: social security agreement signed
• Uruguay and Finland: first round of negotiations held for social security agreement

 
     Upcoming EY webcasts

• 18 April: BEPS 2.0 Pillar One update: Amount B implications
• 19 April: Tax in a time of transition: US legislative, economic, regulatory and IRS developments
• 24 April: US corporate income tax compliance: Planning for tax year 2023 and beyond
• 30 April: Trends and implications of the evolving energy consumer

A calendar of all upcoming EY webcasts is available.

 
     Recent EY podcasts

• Weekly US international cross-border taxation news for week ending 12 April 2024

All episodes of the EY Cross-Border Taxation Spotlight and
EY Talks Tax are available through Apple podcasts.

 
     This week's EY Global Tax Alerts

     Americas Tax Alerts

• Canada | British Columbia amends definition of software for PST purposes
• Global Tax Policy and Controversy Watch | April 2024 edition
• PE Watch | Latest developments and trends, April 2024

     Other Global Tax Alerts

• Irish Government publishes Feedback Statement on introduction of participation exemption for foreign dividends

     Human Capital Alerts

• Australia releases draft Core Skilled Occupations Lists for stakeholder consultation
• Brazil postpones visa requirement for nationals of Australia, Canada and the US until April 2025
• Greece implements new amendments impacting Golden Visa applicants and digital nomads
• Ireland announces simplified eligibility conditions for Stamp 4 Irish Residence Permit Cards
• Italy implements major changes relating to EU Blue Cards
• Mexico announces new visa requirement for nationals of Peru
• Mexico suspends diplomatic relations with Ecuador
• Peru announces new visa requirement for nationals of Mexico
• Peru rescinds new rule requiring Mexican nationals to obtain a visa prior to entry
• Spain to end Golden Visa scheme for foreign real estate investors
• South Africa announces amendments to immigration regulations
• South Africa suspends amendments to immigration regulations until further notice
• USCIS increases automatic extension of certain Employment Authorization Documents to improve access to work permits

    Indirect Tax Alerts

• French Tax Authorities conclude general VAT rules apply to NFTs
• Kenya's land transfers in gazetted towns/municipalities to be charged 4% tax under Stamp Duty Act

 
     This week's EY industry and services publications

     Life Sciences

• The Unstoppables: Success stories of the world’s most inspiring entrepreneurs

     People & Workforce

• How GenAI can unleash potential for knowledge and frontline workers
• What payroll regulatory changes are effective from April 2024

     Managing Risk

• How organizations can navigate compliance and greenwashing risks

Additional resources

Comments. If you have any questions or suggestions about this newsletter, please email Global Tax News Update Help at: globaltaxnewsupdatehelp@ey.com.

About Americas Tax Roundup

Published by NTD's Tax Technical Knowledge Services Group, Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Brittenham, writer and editor

Distributed weekly to all Americas Tax personnel.