News in Brief, October 2023

DOMESTIC NEWS

• Government Decree No. 286/2023 Coll., on the general assessment base for 2022, the conversion coefficient for adjusting the general assessment base for 2022, the reduction thresholds for determining the calculation base for 2024, the basic pension amount set for 2024, and the amount of the increase for a raised child for 2024, and the increase in pensions in 2024, has been published in the Collection of Laws. The average wage used in 2024 will be CZK 43,967 based on the following data: the general assessment base for 2022 of CZK 40,638 and a conversion coefficient of 1.0819.
• Several regulations on foreigners’ residence have been published in the Collection of Laws:
  • Amendment to Act No. 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreigners, under No. 278/2023 Coll
  • Amendment to Regulation No. 328/2015 Coll., implementing the Asylum Act and the Act on Temporary Protection of Foreigners, under No 289/2023 Coll.
  • Government Decree No. 282/2023 Coll., amending Government Decree No. 31/2016 Coll. on proving knowledge of the Czech language for the purpose of obtaining a permanent residence permit.

• The following regulations have also been published in the Collection of Laws:
  • Act on Preventive Restructuring No. 284/2023 Coll.
  • Amendment to the Insolvency Act and the Act on Insolvency Trustees, under No. 285/2023 Coll.
  • Government Decree No. 272/2023 Coll., amending Government Decree No. 5/2023 Coll. on compensation provided for the supply of electricity and gas at fixed prices.
• The chamber of deputies has adjourned its extraordinary session until 11 October 2023 for the third reading of the consolidation package. The debate is also on the agenda of the ordinary session starting on 10 October 2023. 
• A notice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the suspension of the implementation of Articles 5 to 22 and Article 24 of the double taxation treaty between the Czech Republic and Russia on the part of Russia has been published in the Collection of Laws and International Treaties. The Ministry of Finance explained that the suspension of the implementation of Articles 5 to 22 and Article 24 of the treaty will necessarily affect the possibility of implementing Articles 23 (elimination of double taxation) and 25 (resolution by agreement) and other provisions of the treaty. The suspension of the implementation of these articles of the treaty has national effects in the Czech Republic from 29 September 2023.

FOREIGN NEWS

• The OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework has published the comments received on the draft rules for setting Amount B under Pillar 1. Amount B provides a simpler and more efficient approach to applying the arm's length principle to core marketing and distribution activities in the country of sale of goods or services.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1773, laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2023/956 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards reporting obligations for the purposes of the carbon border adjustment mechanism during the transitional period, was published in the Official Journal of the EU.