On August 29, 2019, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier announced the outlines of a plan to reduce the tax and regulatory burden on small and medium-sized companies in Germany.

The UK tax agency has announced that it has scheduled two new webinars to support the construction industry to come to terms with the new VAT reverse charge being introduced on building and construction services from October 1.

The European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) and the Mercosur group of countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) concluded in substance a broad-based free trade agreement at the tenth round of negotiations from August 20 to 23, 2019.

The Cayman Government has set out how companies should comply with new economic substance requirements, which must be met for certain companies to access the territory's tax regime.

The Irish Revenue has published guidance on the tax compliance obligations that arise from mergers and divisions.

United States President Donald Trump said on August 20, 2019, that the administration is considering additional tax cuts to help maintain economic growth.

New Zealand's tax agency has prepared new guidelines intended to clarify tax rules when employees use their own telecommunications tools and devices for work purposes.

The Philippines' Bureau of Internal Revenue has launched a digital tax payments system.

As a small open economy, Ireland may be affected significantly by the OECD's proposals to modify how taxing rights are allocated among countries, Irish business association Ibec has said.

On August 19, 2019, the Office of the United States Trade Representative held an off-camera public hearing on France's recently introduced digital services tax, attended by three major technology firms.

On August 16, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision in favor of Amazon, in a case involving the regulatory definition of intangible assets and the method of their valuation in a cost-sharing arrangement.

The Australian Taxation Office has welcomed a significant ruling from Australia's High Court, which enables the tax agency to use information obtained from data leaks, even if leaked from a law firm.

Hong Kong's Government has announced a package of reliefs for businesses and individuals, in response to the recent riots and risks around the global economy.

The Swiss Government will exchange financial account information with 33 other countries' tax authorities for the first time in September.

Bulgaria has amended its Tax and Social Security Procedure Code (TSSPC), with effect from July 31, to obligate groups to prepare new transfer pricing documentation from 2020.