2014 tax changes

I'm going to compose a list of some of the notable changes to VAT tax that took place around the start of 2014.

Cyprus

Cyprus tax rate was already raised in the beginning of 2013 from 1% to 18%, and in 2014 the tax was raised another 1%, now reaching 19%. This large tax change was in order to stabilize the economy of Cyprus. And prevent a similar crisis that reached Egypt. Also due to pressure from Europe Union and securing loan terms with Russia.

Japan

In order to escape Japans budget deficit and stabilizing its economy by 2020, Japan is going to change their consumer tax from 5% to 10% by 2015. As a first step they raised the tax to 8% in April 2014.

Mexico

The tax was increased to 16%, many economists state that this change will bring negative effects to local business and lay down of jobs in the border zone.

Finland

The tax rate in Finland changed form 24.5% to 20% in first of January 2014. The 4.5% drop was announced in the spring of 2013, and only signed by the president on the 30th of December the same year. 

Croatia

The Croatia government has increased the Vat tax rate from 10% to 13% in hopes that the change will decrease the budget deficit in couple of upcoming years.

Serbia

The lowered tax rate of 8% was changed back to 10% in order not to let the country slip in a complete economic meltdown.

Ukraine

The plan to decrease the tax from 20% to 17% was postponed until 2015. 

Listed above are only some countries of the ones where the changes most significant. As new information is publicized and as 2014 goes on there may be new information to be added to this list.