Janet Yellen, who took oath as the 78th Secretary of the US Department of the Treasury on January 26, held a discussion with counterparts in France, Germany and the UK on digital economy taxation.Continue Reading
Multinational Tax
Transfer pricing news, BEPS news, and international tax news relating to multinationals
Ireland updates corporate tax roadmap
According to the update, Ireland will seek to implement interest limitation rules in accordance with the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD) standard; legislate for new international tax transparency rules for digital platforms; legislate for reverse hybrids aspect of ATAD anti-hybrid rules; adopt the authorized OECD approach for transfer pricing of branches; and consider actions that may be needed in respect of outbound payments from Ireland and our wider withholding tax regime.Continue Reading
Outline and Considerations for the Pillar One Blueprint Proposals for Amount A
By Simon Webber (Managing Director, Duff & Phelps LLC, New York) & Ryan Lange (Director, Duff & Phelps LLC, New York)
On October 12, 2020 the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework (IF) released the Report on Pillar One Blueprint. This is a working document that presents the IF’s current thinking on the scope and application of changes to the international tax system to address the Tax Challenges Arising from Digitalization. Specifically, the OECD is seeking broader consensus and approval for its proposals before moving forward further into a more detailed design.Continue Reading
Platform for Collaboration on Tax releases toolkit on transfer pricing documentation
The toolkit aims to help countries implement effective transfer pricing documentation requirements so that they can protect their tax bases, reduce profit shifting, and raise much-needed revenues for the recovery phase.Continue Reading
Estonia ratifies BEPS MLI to tackle MNE tax avoidance
For Estonia, the BEPS MLI will enter into force on May 1, 2021. Continue Reading
Digital services taxes of Austria, Spain and UK discriminatory: United States
In a release issued on January 14, the USTR said that the each one of these digital services taxes discriminates against US companies, is inconsistent with prevailing principles of international taxation, and burden or restricts US commerce.Continue Reading
Malta makes available online DAC6 registration process
Access to submit DAC6 reports shall be available in the coming days, the tax authority said.Continue Reading
OECD Inclusive Framework on BEPS to meet on January 27-28
The meeting will be held virtually and will be open to the public.
Portuguese EU Presidency to focus on digital economy taxation
In particular, the Presidency will address the challenges of European taxation, including the model for taxation of the digital economy, under the principles of fairness and tax efficiency.Continue Reading
OECD releases agenda for public consultation on Pillar One, Pillar Two Reports
The Blueprints reflect the convergent views of the Inclusive Framework on many of the key policy features, principles and parameters of both Pillars, and identify remaining technical and administrative issues as well as policy issues where divergent views among Inclusive Framework members remain to be bridged.Continue Reading
US suspends retaliatory tariffs on French digital services tax
The US Trade Representative said that it has decided to suspend the tariffs in light of the ongoing investigation of similar DSTs adopted or under consideration in ten other jurisdictions.Continue Reading
Indian, Italian and Turkish digital service tax discriminatory: US Trade Representative
US Trade Representative has published findings on digital service tax in India, Italy, and Turkey calling it discriminatory and burdensome.Continue Reading
Singapore sets indicative margin for related party loans for 2021
If taxpayers choose to apply the indicative margin, they will apply the indicative margin on the appropriate base reference rate selected for the related-party loan.Continue Reading
OECD schedules public consultation on the Pillar One, Two Blueprints
The meeting will be held on January 14-15, 2021.Continue Reading
Barbados ratifies BEPS MLI to tackle MNE tax avoidance
Barbados has ratified the BEPS MLI covering 31 of its tax treaties.Continue Reading
Malaysia gazettes transfer pricing measures
The transfer pricing measures gazetted by Malaysian government on December 31 provide a five percent surcharge in case of transfer pricing adjustments.Continue Reading
Malta publishes detailed DAC6 guidance
Maltese tax authority issues key guidance on DAC6 reportable cross-border arrangements. The guidance explains key concepts with the help of illustrations.Continue Reading
UK to repeal DAC6 in 2021
The UK tax authority, HM Revenue and Customs, has announced that it will repeal the DAC6 reporting requirement in 2021 and replace it with the OECD’s mandatory disclosure rules (MDR).
The announcement was made after completion of the negotiations between the UK and the EU on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
In a letter sent to stakeholders on December 31, HMRC said that reporting under DAC6 will still be required for a limited time, but only for arrangements which meet hallmarks under Category D, in line with the UK’s obligations under the FTA.
Category D sets out specific hallmarks concerning automatic exchange of information and beneficial ownership.
The International Tax Enforcement (Disclosable Arrangements) (Amendment) (No. 2) (EU Exit) Regulations, 2020 – laid before the House of Commons on December 30 – state that “(5) For the purposes of these Regulations, the DAC is to be read as if— (h) in Annex IV, Part 1 [the Main Benefit Test] and hallmark categories A, B, C and E in Part II were omitted.”
In the coming year, the UK will consult on and implement the OECD’s MDR as soon as practicable, to replace DAC6 and transition from European to international rules, HMRC told stakeholders.
Italy publishes draft guidance on DAC6
Comments on the draft Circular on DAC6 must be submitted to the Italian tax authority by January 15, 2021.Continue Reading
Ireland updates DAC6 guidance
The Tax and Duty Manual Manual on DAC6 has been updated in a number of respects. The updates are set out in Appendix V. Continue Reading
Greece publishes 2019 list of preferential tax regimes
Greece has dropped Oman and Seychelles from the list of preferential tax regimes for 2019.Continue Reading
OECD issues guidance on transfer pricing implications of COVID-19 pandemic
The guidance on transfer pricing implications of the COVID-19 pandemic represents the consensus view of the 137 members of the OECD Inclusive Framework on BEPS.Continue Reading
Germany, Pakistan ratify BEPS MLI to tackle tax avoidance
Germany and Pakistan have deposited their instrument of ratification for the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI).Continue Reading
200+ organizations respond to OECD reports on Pillar One and Pillar Two blueprints
The public consultation meeting will be held virtually on January 14-15, 2021.Continue Reading
OECD reveals country practices on hard-to-value intangibles
The information provides with a better understanding of the extent to which the HTVI approach described in Chapter VI of the Transfer Pricing Guidelines has been adopted and is applied in practice by countries around the world. Continue Reading
OECD hails transparency on tax rulings
81 jurisdictions are now fully in line with the BEPS Action 5 minimum standard.Continue Reading
Brian Untermeyer joins Andersen’s international tax practice
Tax firm Andersen has hired Brian Untermeyer as a Managing Director in the firm’s Dallas office.
Untermeyer will join the firm’s international tax practice while serving in a key national role within the US National Tax practice. Untermeyer comes to the firm with more than 30 years of experience in advising inbound and outbound multinational public and private companies on US domestic and international tax issues across multiple industries.Continue Reading
Singapore to participate in International Compliance Assurance Programme from 2021
The MNE’s suitability for ICAP will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The MNE may propose for participating tax administrations it wishes to involve in its ICAP risk assessment, which will be subject to the participating tax administrations’ agreement.Continue Reading
Australia to focus on tax avoidance schemes
The Australian Taxation Office said that the multinational anti-avoidance law has been successfully implemented, with the restructures resulting in more than AUD 8 billion additional taxable sales being booked in Australia.Continue Reading
Singapore tax authority clarifies deductibility of digital services taxes
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore stated that some jurisdictions have implemented unilateral measures to address the tax challenges of digitalization adding that “companies may have incurred additional taxes overseas due to such measures.”Continue Reading
Canada objects to Denmark’s BEPS MLI reservation on arbitration
Canada states that Denmark’s reservation “exceeds the scope of cases for which a reservation may be made under that provision.”Continue Reading
US Treasury releases 2020-2021 Priority Guidance Plan
The Plan – released on November 17 – includes guidance projects that will be the focus of efforts during the 12-month period from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021.Continue Reading
Richard Minor joins USCIB as tax lead
Richard Minor has joined the US Council for International Business (USCIB) as its International Tax Counsel.Continue Reading
South Africa tax authority building APA legislative framework
Comments must be received by December 18.Continue Reading
MAP cases still taking a long time to be resolved: OECD
Around 85 percent of the MAPs concluded for transfer pricing cases in 2019 fully resolved the issue, which reflects an improvement in the collaborative approach taken by competent authorities.Continue Reading
Malta releases DAC6 XML Schema and User Guide
DAC6 has been implemented into Maltese legislation by virtue of legal notice L.N. 342 of 2019.Continue Reading
OECD releases blueprint on digital tax reform
Comments must be received by December 14.Continue Reading
Shackling the FTAs by New Rules of Origin
By Ajinkya Gunjan Mishra (Partner, L&L Partners) & Avani Tewari (Associate, L&L Partners).
International trade and commerce are critical to sustaining the economic development of a country. To attain high growth momentum, a Country must engage in trade negotiations and agreements at multilateral, regional, and bilateral levels. India has been a party to several bilateral and regional trade agreements, and quite a few important ones are under negotiations and slated to be finalised soon.
However, India’s experience with the trade agreements has so far been mixed: favourable trade balance mostly in the case of smaller partners, and deficit with the larger ones. This coupled with the fact that trade agreements have been misused by availing preferential duty rate against the import of goods that did not meet the originating criteria have only added to the government’s list of concerns.
UN tax committee to hold 21st session from October 20
The exact meeting times during this band of dates and the modalities of the meetings will be advised shortly.Continue Reading
ATAF releases draft law on digital services tax
The Suggested Approach is aimed at helping African countries that are considering implementing digital service tax to tax transactions of highly digitalized businesses.Continue Reading
Brussels to appeal Apple State aid tax case in Ireland
In July 2020, the General Court annulled the Commission’s 2016 decision concluding that Ireland granted illegal State aid to Apple through selective tax breaks.Continue Reading
Jordan ratifies BEPS Multilateral Instrument
For Jordan, the BEPS MLI will enter into force on January 1, 2021.Continue Reading
Albania, Costa Rica ratify BEPS MLI
The BEPS MLI will enter into force for both countries on January 1, 2021.Continue Reading
Over 90 countries have law on country-by-country reporting: OECD
More than 2,500 bilateral relationships for CbC exchanges are now in place.Continue Reading
Swiss Federal Council approves tax treaty with Bahrain
The new tax treaty implements the minimum standards in accordance with the OECD’s project on base erosion and profit shifting. Continue Reading
Proposed modifications to the German Transfer Pricing Legislation
By Dr. Björn Heidecke (Director, Deloitte Germany, Hamburg) & Tatchamon Nanavaratorn (Senior Consultant, Deloitte Germany, Hamburg)
As part of the obligation to implement the European-wide mechanism to counter base erosion and profit shifting, the German Federal Ministry of Finance circulated a draft law on 10 December 2019 (hereafter referred to as “draft law”). Besides conforming to the requirement as directed by the EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive, the draft law brings about the modification to the current transfer pricing legislation of both the Foreign Tax Act (Außensteuergesetz) and the Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung), and it introduces topics not previously codified into the legislation in accordance with the BEPS concepts introduced by the OECD. The draft law takes a strict stance on businesses’ actual conducts rather than their contractual arrangements.Continue Reading
New OECD data provides insight into MNE tax activity
The data, released on July 8, is a major output based on the country-by-country reporting requirements for MNEs under the BEPS project. Continue Reading
Cameco wins Canadian transfer pricing tax dispute
That decision was unequivocally in Cameco’s favour in its dispute of reassessments issued by CRA for the 2003, 2005, and 2006 tax years.Continue Reading
Thailand moves to apply VAT to foreign digital services
By Varapa Aurat (Consultant, Tilleke & Gibbins, Thailand) & Natthanit Mallikamal (Consultant, Tilleke & Gibbins, Thailand)
The rise of global digital economies has introduced uncertainties and exposed many loopholes in our existing tax system, with the most significant issues being the difficulties in collecting tax from those conducting digital activities without a physical presence in a jurisdiction. Thailand has long considered reforming its traditional tax system to better cover the digital economy and digital transactions, believing that foreign companies engaged in the same transactions in Thailand as local companies should also pay tax to the country. This includes value added tax (VAT) on the provision of digital services.Continue Reading
Netherlands publishes much-awaited DAC6 guidance
The guidance provides detailed explanations on cross-border arrangement, definitions of intermediaries and relevant taxpayers, and the main benefit test, among others.Continue Reading
Irish tax authority extends DAC6 timelines by six months
The 30-day time period will commence on January 1, 2021. Continue Reading
Maldives promulgates its first Transfer Pricing Regulation
By Husam Shareef (Partner, CTL Strategies, Maldives)
On June 10, 2020, the Maldives tax administration, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), issued the country’s first transfer pricing regulation. The Regulation is made pursuant to the new Income Tax Act, which came into effect from January 1, 2020. The Regulation sets out the rules to be followed by enterprises that are required to maintain transfer pricing documentation and stipulates the criteria which exempt enterprises from maintaining such documentation. The Maldives has had a corporate tax regime since July 18, 2011, however, this is the first time that taxpayers are required to follow a specific transfer pricing documentation requirement.Continue Reading
UK defers DAC6 deadlines by six months
The deferral is aimed at providing taxpayers and intermediaries dealing with the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic with additional time to ensure that they can comply with their obligations.Continue Reading
Worst of both worlds: A case against digital services tax in Brazil
By Maurício Barros (Partner at Gaia Silva Gaede Advogados in São Paulo, former Taxpayer-Appointed Judge at the São Paulo Taxes and Fees Court – TIT/SP (2014-2019) and a former Visiting Professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation and at the Mackenzie Presbiteryan University) & Luiz Guilherme de Medeiros Ferreira (Tax lawyer, São Paulo and Member of the Tax Litigation Commission at the Brazilian Bar Association)
Amid the covid-19 pandemic and the imminent financial crisis of companies, Draft Bill (DB) 2358/2020, drafted by Deputy João Maia, is making its way through the Brazilian Congress. If it becomes law, it will institute a digital services tax (DST) in Brazil, like similar taxes levied in other countries.Continue Reading
India-Mauritius Tax Treaty Benefits Denied – Controversy Continues
By Nishit Parikh (Partner, Sudit K Parekh & Co LLP, India)
India-Mauritius Tax Treaty has had its fair share of controversy in India. This saga continues even today, as recently Authority for Advance Ruling (‘AAR’) in India rejected a Foreign Private Equity player’s claim for Tax Treaty benefit considering the entire arrangement to be for tax avoidance.Continue Reading
Sweden issues detailed tax guidance on DAC6
The guidance covers topics such as the purpose of reporting, the kinds of arrangements that must be reported, who should report the information, the list of information that must be submitted, and the reporting timelines.Continue Reading
No COVID support to companies that engage in tax avoidance, says Dutch government
Companies engaged in undesirable tax planning can apply for individual support if they satisfy two tax-related conditions concerning business location and transactions.Continue Reading
Unilateral action on digital economy taxation would heighten trade tensions: OECD
Gurría was responding to recent statements and exchanges regarding the ongoing negotiations to address the tax challenges of the digitalisation of the economy.Continue Reading
Raoul Stocker joins Bär & Karrer as Partner
Leading Swiss law firm Bär & Karrer has hired Raoul Stocker as a tax partner.
Daniel Hochstrasser, senior partner, commented: “He will support our tax team in corporate tax law, dispute resolution in national and international tax law, as well as transfer pricing. His legal expertise and know-how will help us continue to grow our offering for our clients.”
Irish tax guidance on transfer pricing correlative adjustments explained
By Catherine O’ Meara (Partner, Matheson, Dublin)
The ability to claim relief from double taxation for transfer pricing adjustments is increasingly important as taxpayers face audits worldwide. The Irish Revenue Commissioners (“Revenue”) have recently issued new guidelines for taxpayers seeking correlative adjustments (“CA Guidance”) in Ireland for transfer pricing adjustments by tax treaty partner jurisdictions. Continue Reading
US tax authority prioritizing projects for 2020-21
Comments must be received by July 22.Continue Reading
Digital levy proposed in Brazil amid pressing budget: introducing or increasing digital taxation?
By Luís Eduardo Schoueri (Full Professor of Tax Law at University of São Paulo & Senior partner at Lacaz Martins, Pereira Neto, Gurevich & Schoueri Advogados) & Mateus Calicchio Barbosa (PhD Candidate and M.Sc. at University of São Paulo & Tax partner at Lacaz Martins, Pereira Neto, Gurevich & Schoueri Advogados)
It is said that in every crisis lies an opportunity. If the quote means that possibilities may emerge, in the tax realm taxpayers also have a new momentum to the danger component of the notion. In Brazil, outdated – not to say dangerous – tax alternatives have been put on the table to meet the recent budgetary needs. Certain wealth and capital taxes on both companies and individuals, despite previous and frustrated propositions since mid-90s, have been discussed while the government seeks a way out of an unprecedented public debt in the years to come.Continue Reading
Significant economic presence: Nigerian perspective
By Kelechi Ugbeva (Managing Partner, Blackwood & Stone, Nigeria)
Existing global tax rules such as, the arm’s length principle and principle of physical presence may not be robust enough to accommodate the peculiarity of digital activities and digital taxation. To this end, the OECD has come up with a few proposals on how digital activities may be taxed. Continue Reading
Finland issues tax treaty guidance
The guidance states that the OECD’s Multilateral Instrument on BEPS adopted in Finland on February 13, 2019, must be taken into account when applying tax treaties.Continue Reading
Netherlands mulling withholding tax on dividends paid to low tax jurisdictions
The measure will apply to financial flows to countries with a corporate tax rate of under nine percent and to countries on the EU blacklist, even if the Netherlands has a tax treaty with them.Continue Reading
EU member states agree on ‘optional’ postponement of DAC6 reporting deadlines
The DAC6 reporting requirement was originally intended to take effect from July 1, 2020, postponement has been agreed in view of COVID-19 pandemic.Continue Reading
Dutch tax authority publishes DAC6 guidance
The DAC6 reporting requirement will come into effect on July 1, 2020.Continue Reading
Australia broadens definition of ‘significant global entity’
The amendments generally apply from July 1, 2019.
US Trade Representative to investigate digital services tax rules in EU, nine others
These ten trading partners are: Austria, Brazil, the Czech Republic, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.Continue Reading
Philippines introduces bill to tax digital economy
The Bill seeks to give effect to five key changes to the way the digital economy is currently taxed, to better capture value created into the tax system.Continue Reading
Equalisation Levy in India
By Lokesh Shah (Partner, L&L Partners, New Delhi) & Devashish Poddar (Advocate, L&L Partners, New Delhi)
Technology, considered as a factor of production, has virtually been adopted in all sectors of the economy in order to enhance productivity, enlarge market reach, and reduce operational costs. The adoption of technology is demonstrated by the spread of broadband connectivity in businesses, which in almost all countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) is universal for large enterprises and reaches 90% or more even in smaller businesses.Continue Reading
EU Commission urges Ireland, Netherlands, four others to tackle aggressive tax planning
The six member states are: Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, and the Netherlands.Continue Reading
Draft Bill proposes a Digital Service Tax in Brazil
By Ramon Tomazela Santos (Partner, Mariz de Oliveira e Siqueira Campos Advogados)
The taxation of large technology companies has been at the center of the global debate in recent years, as their disruptive business models allows the exploitation of the market of a country without a physical presence. The underlying assumption surrounding the debate is that the application of current tax rules to companies operating in the digital economy has led to a misalignment between the place where profits are taxed and the place where value is created, due to the growing relevance of interaction and engagement with a user base for digital business.Continue Reading
Spain’s Council of Ministers approve draft Law on DAC6
The government intends to exempt only those entities that provide legal advice.Continue Reading
Amendments regarding documentation in decree on disguised profit distribution through transfer pricing
By Kardelen Lule (ADMD / MAVIOGLU & ALKAN, Turkey) & Zeynep Ozbaran (ADMD / MAVIOGLU & ALKAN, Turkey)Continue Reading
How international tax landscape changes in India from April 1, 2020
By Ritu Shaktawat (Partner, Khaitan & Co, India) Raghav Kumar Bajaj (Principal Associate, Khaitan & Co, India)
India’s Union Budget for the fiscal 2020-21 was announced in February 2020 and the tax proposals, after undergoing some important changes, were approved by the Indian Parliament and received Presidential assent on March 27, 2020. With this, the annual exercise of amending India’s tax law was completed, and the tax changes are effective from April 1, 2020.
On the tax front, some significant amendments have been made – such as widening the scope of digital tax, abolition of dividend distribution tax, more stringent tax residency rules for non-resident Indians etc.
We have analyzed here the key international tax changes impacting non-residents (MNEs and others having Indian business or nexus).Continue Reading
OECD issues international tax guidance in the wake of COVID-19
The Guidance notes that it is unlikely that the COVID-19 situation will create any changes to an entity’s residence status under a tax treaty.Continue Reading
Augmenting Loan Documentation in light of Chapter X of the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines
By Stefanie Perrella (Managing Director, Duff & Phelps’, New York) and Zachary Held (Director, Duff & Phelps’, New York)
On February 11, 2020, the OECD released its Final Report, Transfer Pricing Guidance on Financial Transactions, (Final Guidance), which was simultaneously incorporated into the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines. With respect to inter-company loans, the new Chapter X of the Transfer Pricing Guidelines is not limited to considerations for interest rate pricing, but also includes a framework for assessing the instrument’s accurate delineation as debt. Going forward, taxpayers with lenders or borrowers in OECD countries should consider this new guidance and augment their documentation accordingly. Below are some of the items that these taxpayers should consider to offer a proactive defense of potentially scrutinized areas.Continue Reading
Brazilian TP Reform: Can We Have the Full First World Package?
By Luis Schoueri (University of Sao Paulo; Lacaz Martins, Pereira Neto, Gurevich & Schoueri Advogados)
Introduction
There is no divine truth about what the Arm’s Length Standard (ALS) actually means. Its content can only be determined by a decision, which can be reached by a court or by means of political consensus. There is no international tax court with jurisdiction to promote harmonization among countries on the content of the ALS and all efforts in this direction are made by means of negotiation. Such decisions affect not only the extent to which double (non-)taxation will be avoided, but also concern the country to which income is allocated, which may render the issue controversial where countries present distinct patterns of capital in- and outflow[1].Continue Reading
UK 2020 Budget retains 19% corporate tax rate
The Government is introducing from April 1, 2020, a new two percent digital services tax on the revenues earned by certain digital businesses.Continue Reading
Belgian Transfer Pricing Circular sets out tax authority’s view on 2017 OECD Guidelines
By Géry Bombeke (Partner, Baker McKenzie, Brussels)
On February 25, 2020, the Belgian Tax Administration published a new transfer pricing Circular (Circular 2020/C/35) (TP Circular) summarizing the post-base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines and reflecting the tax authority’s views thereon.Continue Reading
Will Smith joins White & Case as tax partner
Global law firm White & Case LLP has hired Will Smith as a partner in the firm’s London office.
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Travers Smith appoints Emily Clark as Head of Tax
Emily Clark has joined corporate law firm Travers Smith LLP as head of tax.
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Norway consulting on new withholding tax on interest, royalties
Comments must be received by May 27.Continue Reading
New tax treaty between Ireland, Netherlands enters into force
The new treaty will be effective from January 1, 2021. Continue Reading
BDO LLP, London hires new international tax partner
Julia McCullagh has joined BDO LLP’s London office as Partner, International Corporate Tax.Continue Reading
South Africa consulting on rule to limit interest expense deduction
The Budget proposes to restrict net interest expense deductions to 30% of earnings for assessment years starting January 1, 2021.
OECD issues MAP peer review reports for further eight jurisdictions
The reports highlight how well these jurisdictions are implementing BEPS Action 14 minimum standard on making tax treaty dispute resolution more timely, effective, and efficient.Continue Reading
BVI to accept country by country report filings from March 2020
International Tax Authority informs BVI Constituent Entities, that are part of Multinational Entity Group, that it will soon be ready to receive filings for CbC reporting.Continue Reading
US Congresswoman introduces public country by country reporting Bill
The report would include CbC financial filings for the information, including profits, taxes, employees, and tangible assets – that these corporations already provide to the IRS on an annual basis.Continue Reading
US government issues corrections to BEAT regulations
The corrections are effective on February 19, 2020, and apply from December 6, 2019.Continue Reading
Australia expanding ‘significant global entity’ definition
The definition of “significant global entity” to include members of large business groups headed by private companies, trusts, partnerships, investment entities, and individuals.Continue Reading
New digital economy tax rules to raise USD 100 billion: OECD
The OECD analysis shows that Pillar Two could raise a significant amount of additional tax revenues.Continue Reading
OECD transfer pricing guidance on financial transactions published
The report contains guidance on how the accurate delineation analysis applies to the capital structure of an MNE within an MNE group. Continue Reading
OECD seeking input on BEPS Action 13 minimum standard
Comments must be received by March 6, 2020.Continue Reading
137 countries commit to designing rules on digital economy taxation by 2020-end
The “safe harbour” issue is included in the list of remaining work, but a final decision on this issue will be deferred until the architecture of Pillar One has been agreed upon.Continue Reading
Diverted profits tax yields UK over GBP 5 billion in extra tax
Between 2019-2020, HMRC secured GBP 480 million through DPT investigations.Continue Reading
OECD to hold live webcast on digital economy taxation
The webcast will be held on January 31, 2020, at 14:00-15:00 (CET).Continue Reading
Cyprus, Saudi Arabia ratify BEPS MLI to tackle MNE tax avoidance
The BEPS MLI will enter into force for these two countries on May 1, 2020.Continue Reading
Colombia underlines transfer pricing documentation deadlines
The deadline for filing country-by-country reports and master files is December 10-23, 2020.Continue Reading
Liechtenstein ratifies BEPS MLI to tackle MNE tax avoidance
The BEPS MLI will enter into force for Liechtenstein on April 1, 2020.Continue Reading
Tax treaty between Albania, Saudi Arabia come into force
The tax treaty applies from January 1, 2020.Continue Reading
Dominican Republic revises transfer pricing reporting threshold for 2020
The revised transfer pricing reporting threshold for 2020 is DOP11,552,402.Continue Reading
OECD issues further guidance on country-by-country reporting
The additional interpretative guidance contains complete set of guidance concerning the interpretation and operation of BEPS Action 13 issued so far.Continue Reading
Tax treaty between Japan, Morocco signed
The tax treaty will become effective after both countries have completed their respective domestic procedures.Continue Reading
“It became necessary to destroy the town to save it:” The US and the OECD’s Unified Approach
By Professor William Byrnes (Texas A&M University School of Law)
185+ organizations respond to OECD’s global anti-base erosion proposal
The OECD will hold a public consultation meeting on December 9. Continue Reading
US responds to French digital tax with USD 2.4 billion tariffs; France calls it ‘unacceptable’
French Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire, termed the US’ proposed action as unacceptable.Continue Reading
EU Commission warns Austria, Ireland to transpose interest limitation rules
The Commission may bring the cases before the Court of Justice of the EU if Austria and Ireland do not act by February 1, 2020.Continue Reading
India approves tax treaty with Chile
The tax treaty and Protocol implement the BEPS minimum standards to tackle tax planning strategies that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules.Continue Reading
Brian Abbey joins Global Tax Management
International tax veteran Brian Abbey has joined Global Tax Management as Managing Director, International Tax.Continue Reading
Kevin Norton joins Deloitte’s transfer pricing practice
Transfer pricing specialist Kevin Norton has joined Deloitte Ireland’s tax team as partner.Continue Reading
US report on French digital services tax due next week
Earlier in July 2019, the US Trade Representative opened an investigation into whether the French DST is discriminatory in nature and harms US’ interests.
Continue Reading
Estonia, Guernsey sign tax treaty
The tax treaty will enter into force after both countries have completed their respective internal procedures.Continue Reading
OECD seeking input on MAP peer reviews of 13 jurisdictions
Comments must be received by December 16, 2019.Continue Reading
OECD official responds to tax Professor’s views on inclusive international tax policy making
Irish corporation tax revenue touches Euros 10.4 billion
The paper highlights the marked rise in corporation tax receipts and corporate profitability since 2014.Continue Reading
Amazon underlines guiding principles on digital economy taxation
Any proposed tax must be levied on profits and not revenue, Amazon’s Vice President (Global Tax), Kurt Lamp, said.Continue Reading
OECD consulting on global anti-base erosion proposal
Comments must be received by December 2.Continue Reading
Switzerland amending tax treaties with New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden
The protocols contain an anti-abuse clause.Continue Reading
Another MNC under the ‘Permanent Establishment’ scanner in India
By Ritu Shaktawat (Partner, Khaitan & Co, India) and Sneh Shah (Senior Associate, Khaitan & Co, India)
OECD issues new guidance on country-by-country reporting
The additional interpretative guidance will help MNE Groups in avoiding common errors made in preparing CbC reports.Continue Reading
Denmark ratifies BEPS MLI to tackle MNE tax avoidance
For Denmark the BEPS MLI will enter into force on January 1, 2020.Continue Reading
Mexican 2020 Tax Reform: key international tax proposals
By Ricardo Rendón (Partner, Chevez, Ruiz, Zamarripa y Cía, S.C., Mexico)
On September 8, 2019, the Executive Branch of the Mexican Government submitted to the Congress Tax Reform for 2020, which includes key tax changes to the country’s tax law primarily inspired by the OECD’s base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project.Continue Reading
Ireland Transfer Pricing Feedback Statement Explained
By Catherine O’ Meara (Partner, Matheson, Dublin)
The Irish Government recently published a Transfer Pricing Rules Feedback Statement, which confirms that changes to the country’s transfer pricing rules and their implementation are forthcoming.Continue Reading
Hong Kong, Estonia sign tax treaty
EU Commission investigating 39 Belgian MNE tax rulings
The rulings practically resulted in over 50 percent and in some cases up to 90 percent of those companies’ accounting profit being tax exempt.Continue Reading
Transfer pricing MAP cases on the rise: OECD
According to the statistics, transfer pricing cases continue to take more time with average time being approximately 33 months (30 months in 2017).Continue Reading
Australian tax board consulting on corporate tax residency rules
Comments must be received by October 4, 2019.Continue Reading
OECD preparing for ‘big bang’ reform to address digital economy taxation
Gurría also described the delivery of the OECD’s BEPS package in 2015 as one of the two “big bang” developments that transformed the global tax landscape in recent years.Continue Reading
Japan, Peru to conclude a tax treaty
Japan and Peru have “in principle” agreed to conclude a tax treaty.Continue Reading
Don’t focus only on corporation tax: Amazon
Amazon is a major UK employer and currently employs over 27,500 UK people. The company said that this number would increase to over 29,500 this year.
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Jay Singer joins Shearman & Sterling as tax partner
Global law firm Shearman & Sterling has roped in Jay Singer as partner to the firm’s tax practice. Jay will be based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.Continue Reading
Glencore wins $92m transfer pricing dispute with ATO
The tax authority is considering whether to appeal the decision.Continue Reading
OECD peer review report notes progress in CbC reporting implementation
The review reveals that countries have largely adopted their domestic CbC reporting rules in line with the BEPS Action 13 minimum standard.Continue Reading
Ireland updating transfer pricing regime
The proposals would be included in Finance Bill, 2019 and, if enacted, would apply for chargeable periods commencing January 1, 2020.Continue Reading
US releases details about tax treaty protocols with Japan, Spain
Mandatory binding arbitration clause is included in the tax treaty protocols to resolve tax treaty disputes.Continue Reading
McDermott’s tax practice wins former US Treasury Counsel
A former US Treasury international tax Counsel, Brian Jenn, has joined McDermott Will & Emery as its partner.
Jenn will be based out of the firm’s Chicago office.Continue Reading
Hong Kong issues guidance on transfer pricing documentation requirements
Hong Kong issues guidance to ensure compliance with the country’s transfer pricing documentation requirements.Continue Reading
Canada, Switzerland ratify instrument to tackle tax avoidance
The BEPS MLI will enter into force in both countries on December 1, 2019.Continue Reading
Countries agree on proposals to fix digital economy taxation
While members of the Inclusive Framework on BEPS did not yet agree on the conclusions, they committed to work together to deliver a final report in 2020, with an update in 2019.Continue Reading
Delving into Hong Kong’s New Transfer Pricing Landscape
By Maulik Doshi (Partner, Head of Transfer Pricing & International Tax, SKP Group) and Kamlesh Kaltari (Principal, Transfer Pricing Services, SKP Group)
On July 4, 2018, Hong Kong’s Inland Revenue Department passed the country’s final Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 6) Bill 2017, (the Amendment Bill).
This Amendment Bill (which became law on July 13, 2018) specified the documentary requirements from a transfer pricing perspective and also introduced measures to address various recommendations under BEPS Action Plans.Continue Reading
Austria mulling 5% digital tax on large businesses
Austria proposes to impose a five percent digital tax to close tax loopholes and ensure that large digital corporations are called to account.Continue Reading
Georgia ratifies tax instrument to tackle BEPS
For Georgia the BEPS MLI will enter into force on July 1, 2019. Continue Reading
OECD seeking input on digital economy taxation
Guernsey ratifies BEPS Instrument to tackle MNE tax avoidance
Armenia joins OECD’s BEPS Inclusive Framework
Armenia has newly joined the OECD’s Inclusive Framework on base erosion and profit shifting.Continue Reading
Chris Whitehouse joins Questro’s transfer pricing practice
Transfer pricing advisory Questro International has hired Chris Whitehouse as a transfer pricing partner for its Zurich office.
Ireland deposits BEPS MLI to tackle tax avoidance
For Ireland, the BEPS MLI will enter into force in May 2019.Continue Reading
Hong Kong tax authority notes CbC reporting deadline details
Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department has clarified that starting from April 2019, the Department will not accept voluntary filing of a country-by-country (CbC) report for an accounting period ended on or before March 31, 2018.Continue Reading
New Swiss-Ukraine tax treaty protocol signed
The treaty protocol provides for a low withholding tax rate of five percent for royalty and interest payments. An arbitration clause is also included to increase legal certainty for taxpayers.Continue Reading
Manuel Koch joins transfer pricing specialist Questro’s Stuttgart office
Transfer pricing specialist Questro International has hired Manuel Koch as a Partner for the firm’s office in Stuttgart, Germany.
Koch brings significant experience of over ten years specialization in transfer pricing consulting. Koch has wide experience in international tax planning engagements for international corporates including holding and principal structures as well as Swiss finance branches and IP boxes.Continue Reading
Jill Weise to lead Duff & Phelps’ transfer pricing practice
Global advisory firm Duff & Phelps has announced that Jill Weise will succeed Michael Heimert as the Global Leader for the firm’s transfer pricing practice.
Weise has nearly 25 years of expertise in transfer pricing. She previously served as the firm’s transfer pricing practice leader for North America.
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Dutch tax rulings to Nike under EU Commission’s scanner
The Commission is looking into five tax rulings issued by the Dutch tax authority to Nike group companies in the Netherlands between 2006 to 2015.Continue Reading
Indian tax authority sets new CbC reporting deadline for US subsidiaries
By Maulik Doshi (Partner, Head of Transfer Pricing & International Tax, SKP Group) and Kamlesh Kaltari (Senior Manager, SKP Group)
In India, the 2016 Finance Act introduced a three-tiered transfer pricing documentation regime with a view to aligning the Indian transfer pricing documentation rules with Action 13 of the OECD’s base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project.
Accordingly, Indian subsidiaries of multinational groups were required to comply with new “master” and “local” files requirements and a new country-by-country reporting requirement from the 2016-17 financial year.Continue Reading
Transfer pricing expert Mark Madrian joins Valentiam Group
Transfer pricing expert Mark Madrian has joined Valentiam Group as a Partner in the firm’s West Coast practice.
Madrian has advised clients on complex cross-border transfer pricing and other international tax issues. He was recently recognized as a Leading Transfer Pricing Adviser by Legal Media.
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Hong Kong, Finland tax treaty to take effect in April 2019
The treaty will be effective from April 1, 2019.Continue Reading
Saudi tax authority publishes draft transfer pricing bylaws
By Anas Salhieh (Senior Tax Executive, Al Tamimi & Company, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Zakat and Income Tax has published for public comments draft transfer pricing bylaws as part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to the OECD’s base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project.Continue Reading
New EU corporate tax avoidance rules enter into force
The new anti-abuse measures entered into force on January 1, 2019.Continue Reading
BEPS MLI to enter into force in Australia in January 2019
Malta ratifies tax instrument to tackle base erosion and profit shifting
Singapore Ratifies BEPS MLI to tackle MNE tax avoidance
The BEPS MLI will enter into force for Singapore on April 1, 2019.Continue Reading
Gibraltar provided illegal tax benefits to MNEs: EU Commission
Gibraltar must recover unpaid taxes of around EUR100m from companies that benefited from the corporate tax exemption regime for interest and royalties as well as from the five tax rulings.Continue Reading
Australia sees improved corporate tax compliance
In the 2015-16 income year, the estimated tax gap for large corporate taxpayers was 4.4 percent, as compared to 5.8 percent tax gap in the 2014-15 income year.Continue Reading
OECD issues second peer review report on BEPS Action 5
The OECD has made 60 jurisdiction-specific recommendations on issues such as improving the timeliness of the exchange of information and ensuring that exchanges of information are made with respect to preferential tax regimes that apply to income from intellectual property.Continue Reading
Bulgaria introduces new interest limitation and CFC regimes
By Elizabeth Sidi (Senior Tax Consultant, PwC, Bulgaria)
Bulgaria is introducing new interest limitation rules and a new controlled foreign corporation regime from January 1, 2019.
Continue ReadingIndian tax authority undergoing ratification process for BEPS MLI
Important process of ratifying the BEPS MLI is on. In 2019-2020, the provisions will come into effect, says Akhilesh Ranjan.
Continue ReadingDenmark publishes draft tax proposal to ratify BEPS MLI
The legislation is intended to enter into force in July 2019. Continue Reading
Countries need a ‘world-wide answer on tax’: IMF chief
According to IMF Chief Christine Lagarde, governments should figure out a world-wide answer on tax.Continue Reading
Cayman Islands publishes tax bill to implement substance requirements
The legislation seeks to incorporate the OECD’s proposals under Action 5 of the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project, on countering harmful tax practices, as well as the new EU substance requirements.Continue Reading
New Agreement between Ireland and Malta to counteract the ‘Single Malt’ tax structure
By Catherine O’ Meara (Partner, Matheson, Dublin) and Brian Doohan (Senior Associate, Matheson, Dublin)
On November 27, 2018, Ireland’s Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe announced the details of a Competent Authority Agreement between Ireland and Malta (Agreement). The clear aim of the Agreement is to end what is referred to as the “Single Malt” tax structure.Continue Reading
France, Germany propose new digital tax plan
France and Germany urged the EU Council to adopt the proposed digital services tax by March 2019.Continue Reading
Belgium publishes draft transfer pricing guidance for public comments
By Bram Markey (Director, Transfer Pricing, PwC Belgium)
The Belgian tax authority has issued a draft Circular on the 2017 update to the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations.Continue Reading