plenary presentations
Transcription
plenary presentations
Global conference 2015 Fashioning future tax Milan, 27-29 May 2015 Welcome & introduction Overview Welcome & introduction Guido Petraroli, Taxand Italy Our conference host Guido Petraroli, Taxand Italy, welcomed delegates to the Taxand Global Conference 2015 providing an anecdotal overview of Taxand’s development. 2 Welcome and introduction Welcome to our 15th Taxand Global Conference Taxand Today Fantozzi & Associati, Taxand Italy Milan Highlights Event programme Thank you 3 Welcome clients & Taxanders Over 220 clients and over 200 Taxanders from nearly 50 countries worldwide Argentina Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Chile China Colombia Cyprus Denmark Finland France Germany Greece 4 India Indonesia Ireland Italy Japan Korea Luxembourg Malaysia Malta Mauritius Mexico Netherlands Norway Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Romania Russia Singapore South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey UK Ukraine USA Venezuela Welcome speakers Paulo Nuncio, Portuguese Secretary of State of Tax Affairs Raphael Coin, GE Prof. Enzo Moavero Milanesi, ex Minister of European Affairs David Busam, RenaultNissan Alliance Pia Queirolo, Costa Crociere Darryl Steinberg, Lehman Brothers Holdings Prof. Mariana Mazzucato, University of Sussex Alistair Armstrong, Development Securities & our Taxander speakers Bela Mao, Shell Paul Morton, RELX Group 5 Taxand today in just 10 years Only global organisation focused on tax One common purpose – practical advice, responsively delivered 88% Taxand countries recommended in ITR World Tax 2015 One global brand 2,000 leading tax advisors, 400 tax partners Nearly 50 independent – do not undertake audit – tax firms One uniting passion – tax 6 Taxand Italy Founded in 1975 by Augusto Fantozzi One of nine founding Taxand countries in 2005 Leading Italian tax law firm, focused on complex areas of tax law and specialised industries Offices in Bologna, Milan & Rome 7 Fashioning future tax With increasing compliance/reporting burdens, reputational risk and media management requirements, Taxand provides specific actions to navigate these issues in the context of our everharmonising global economy. We are in the midst of a decade of tax tailoring, with government bodies, the general public, economic organisations and wider thought leaders providing opinion on the future of our global tax, and financial, landscape. 8 Conference programme: today Special guest keynote: Paulo Nuncio, Portuguese Secretary of State of Tax Affairs A policy tailor’s perspective: The evolution of EU Law in front of the global financial crisis 10:15 – 10:45 Coffee break Fireside session: Fashioning economic & fiscal policy – rethinking the role of government Plenary I: Anti-abuse provisions & tax litigation – the current fashion 12:15 – 14:00 Lunch 9 Conference programme: today Plenary II: BEPS – tailoring your approach Plenary III: The ultimate TP business case 15:30 – 16:00 Coffee break Plenary IV: Indirect tax – what’s on trend? 19:00 – 19:30 Transfer to Gala Dinner 10 Conference programme: tomorrow Taxand Xborders BEPS Clinic, 09:15 – 11:30 Industry breakout sessions: Energy – what happens when the bottom falls out? Real estate – changing fashions in the taxation of real estate 10:15 – 10:30 Coffee break Industry breakout sessions: Financial services – current & emerging trends for non-bank finance Manufacturing – fashioning a sustainable bespoke supply chain 11:30 – 12:00 Coffee break Closing remarks 12:30 – 14:00 Lunch 11 Speaker profiles Guido Petraroli Taxand Italy T. +39 02 7260591 E. [email protected] Guido is the host of the Taxand Global Conference 2015, and is based in Taxand Italy where he is a partner of Fantozzi & Associati. With 20 years’ experience, Guido has earned a reputation of providing technically led, understandable and actionable tax advice. In 2006, Guido was appointed Special Commissioner by the Italian Ministry of Economy for the restructuring of companies in the textile field. 12 Special Guest Keynote Paulo Nuncio, Portuguese Secretary of State of Tax Affairs Overview Special Guest Keynote Paulo Nuncio, Portuguese Secretary of State of Tax Affairs Paulo Nuncio, Portuguese Minister of State for Taxes, will discuss how tax reforms played a key role in Portugal’s resurgence from its worst recession in over 40 years. These reforms include the creation in 2014 of a forum for large taxpayers intended to improve the relationship between the tax authority and taxpayers by increasing tax certainty and reduced compliance costs, but also to avoid aggressive tax planning schemes and the use of tax havens. 14 Speaker profiles Paulo Nuncio Portuguese Secretary of State of Tax Affairs Paulo has served as Secretary of State of Tax Affairs in the government of Portugal since September of 2011, in which role he has overseen a wide range of tax reforms that have helped Portugal emerge from its worst recession in over 40 years. Previously Paulo was a Partner in Garrigues – Taxand Portugal specialising in tax law advising national and multinational clients. 15 A policy tailor’s perspective: The evolution of EU Law in front of the global financial crisis Professor Enzo Moavera Milanesi, ex Minister of European Affairs Overview A policy tailor’s perspective: The evolution of EU Law in front of the global financial crisis Professor Enzo Moavero Milanesi, Ex Minister of European Affairs (2013) The global financial and credit crisis of 2007 – 2009 and the events that followed have had profound effects not only on the global economy, but on national and supranational politics and legal systems. Professor Milanesi will discuss recent developments in EU law in the context of the global financial crisis and what these events portend for the future of the EU and EU law. 17 Speaker profiles Professor Enzo Moavero Milanesi Ex Minister of European Affairs Professor Enzo Moavero Milanesi is Director of the School of Law at the LUISS University in Rome. He is also Special Advisor to the First Vice President of the European Commission on the Rule of Law. Between 2011- 2014 he was member of two Italian Governments as Minister for European Affairs. From 2006 -2011, he was President of Chambers and Judge at the General Court of the European Union. 18 Coffee break Fireside session: Fashioning economic & fiscal policy Rethinking the role of government Professor Marianna Mazzucato, RM Philips Chair in Economics & Innovation at SPRU Tim Wach, Taxand Global Managing Director Overview Fireside session: Fashioning economic & fiscal policy - rethinking the role of government Mariana Mazzucato, RM Phillips Chair in Economics & Innnovation at SPRU, University of Sussex & Tim Wach, Taxand Managing Director It is popular in many circles to view government as an impediment to commercial and economic success, and that government should “just get out of the way”. However, in her book The Entrepreneurial State, Professor Mariana Mazzucato argues that such views overlook the important role that government can play, and has played, in spurring innovation, including in respect of the development of many of the technologies on which many companies’ successes are built, such as Apple. Professor Mazzucato will discuss with Taxand Managing Director Tim Wach her views on the role that the state, in both economic and fiscal policy, can play in developing an innovation based economy. 21 Speaker profiles Professor Mariana Mazzucato (PhD) University of Sussex Tim Wach Taxand Global Mariana holds the RM Phillips chair in the Economics of Innovation at SPRU, University of Sussex. She advises public policy makers around the world on innovation-led growth. Her book The Entrepreneurial State: Debunking Private vs. Public Sector Myths challenges conventionally held views of the role and importance of the state in economic development, particularly the development of new technologies. T: +1 905 916 1911 E: [email protected] Tim is Managing Director of Taxand. He works across all of Taxand ensuring enhanced and seamless cross-border services for our multinational clients. Tim assumed his position after over 30 years at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, which is Taxand Canada, and government tax policy work at the highest levels at Canada’s Department of Finance. Tim is recognised as a leading Canadian lawyer in taxation and frequently publishes papers on tax and tax policy subjects. 22 Taxand’s Take 1 2 3 There are roles in society for both government and the private sector – however, those roles are not as simple as many would like to believe Governments need to think deeply about their fiscal policies for innovation to maximise efficiency and investment returns Care needs to be taken in drawing the lines between the two, which is not simple and the lines are often not precise 23 Plenary I: Anti-abuse provisions & tax litigation The current fashion Alistair Armstrong, Development Securities Bela Mao, Shell Mukesh Butani, Taxand India Prof. Augusto Fantozzi, Taxand Italy Kevin Hindley, Taxand UK Overview Plenary I: Anti-abuse provisions & tax litigation, the current fashion Alistair Armstrong, Development Securities; Bela Mao, Shell; Mukesh Butani, Taxand India; Prof. Augusto Fantozzi, Taxand Italy; Kevin Hindley, Taxand UK International tax disputes have assumed significance post the 2008 financial crisis, as governments are jostling for their share of tax revenues. Economic double taxation is increasingly a threat as alternative dispute resolution processes under MAP have slowed down. MNCs are debating options for settling tax disputes. Post implementation of the BEPS actions, transfer pricing and tax disputes may rise in the short to medium term until the dust settles on the implementation of double nontaxation principles. MNCs will need to strategise to mitigate the risk of long term litigation. Joined by clients, Taxand advisors investigated real experiences of litigation and alternative dispute resolution with local tax authorities and cross-border tax disputes, drawing out practical issues to benefit those engaged in disputes with fiscal authorities worldwide. 25 Overview Professor Augusto Fantozzi – Taxand Italy Bela Mao – Shell Mukesh Butani – Taxand India Kevin Hindley – Taxand UK Alistair Armstrong – Development Securities 26 Perspectives from Italy Contents Introduction OECD, EU and EU Member States anti-abuse provisions Italian anti-abuse provision Tax litigation related to anti-abuse provisions 28 Introduction Introduction Increasing international focus on the abuse of law Main solution – to deny the application of the law in absence of valid commercial reasons. Examples: OECD BEPS Action 6 EU amendment to the ParentSubsidiary Directive EU Member States General AntiAvoidance Rule (GAAR) Italian antiabuse provision Recommendation to MNEs – adequate documentation for tax audit/litigation 30 OECD, EU and EU Member States antiabuse provisions OECD anti-abuse provision Problem – Tax Treaty abuse Solution – OECD recommends (soft law) to add a GAAR to Tax Treaties A benefit under this Convention shall not be granted in respect of an item of income or capital if it is reasonable to conclude […] that obtaining that benefit was one of the principal purposes of any arrangement or transaction that resulted directly or indirectly in that benefit. BEPS Action 6 – 2014 Deliverable, 16 September 2014 32 EU anti-abuse provision Problem – Parent-Subsidiary Directive abuse Solution – Council of the EU agreed to add a GAAR to the Parent-Sub Directive (hard law) Member States shall not grant the benefits of this Directive to an arrangement or a series of arrangements that […] are not genuine. […] an arrangement or a series of arrangements shall be regarded as not genuine to the extent that they are not put into place for valid commercial reasons which reflect economic reality. Parent-Subsidiary Directive art. 1, para 2 and 3 33 EU Member States anti-abuse provision Problem – Abuse of law Solution – EU Commission recommended (soft law) to Member States to introduce a GAAR in their national legislation (hard law) An artificial arrangement […] which has been put into place for the essential purpose of avoiding taxation and leads to a tax benefit shall be ignored. […] an arrangement […] is artificial where it lacks commercial substance. EU Commission Recommendation, 6 December 2012 34 Italian anti-abuse provision Italian anti-abuse provision Actual situation: the Italian anti-avoidance rule provides a close list of transactions that may be challenged by the Tax Authority in absence of valid commercial reasons (art. 37-bis of Presidential Decree n. 600/1973) Problem: Plenary Session of the Supreme Court stated that a general anti-abuse principle derives directly from Italian Constitution. This caused uncertainty for the tax payers Solution: in accordance with the EU Commission recommendations, to introduce a GAAR in the national legislation (hard law). A Bill in Parliament is under discussion 36 Italian anti-abuse provision Taxpayer’s Code new article 10-bis Introduces an abuse of law’s definition Repeals the article 37-bis of Presidential Decree n. 600/1973 Enables the taxpayer to request an advance ruling (through which the taxpayer requests to the Tax Authority whether the transactions at issue are to be considered as abusive) Imposes a stand-alone deed of assessment for any abusive practice 37 Italian anti-abuse provision Obliges the Tax Authority to preliminary notify a specific request to the taxpayer for further clarifications on the concerned transactions. The taxpayer has 60 days to answer to such questionnaire. Once such term has elapsed, the Tax Authority is entitled to issue a deed of assessment States that the deed of assessment must be reasoned referring to the taxpayer’s clarifications and to the abusive elements of the transaction Asserts that it is burden of the Tax Authority to demonstrate the evidence of the abuse of law while it is burden of the taxpayer to demonstrate the valid commercial reasons Specifies that abusive transactions are not subject to criminal punishments while administrative penalties may apply 38 Tax litigation related to anti-abuse provisions Tax litigation related to anti-abuse provisions Problems : Increased possibility that tax authorities challenge a taxpayer’s transaction on the basis of an anti-abuse provision Audit and tax litigation may start after years from the challenged transaction 40 Tax litigation related to anti-abuse provisions (continued) Recommendation to MNEs: Independently of who (tax authorities or taxpayer) bears the burden of proof To prepare documentation related to the valid commercial reasons of the transaction undertaken when the transaction takes place 41 Dispute resolution – India Tax litigation in India – some statistics Estimated USD67 billion (approximately) of tax revenue locked up in litigation before Courts and Appellate Authorities (Finance Minister in budget speech 2014-15) Cases pending at various levels* Direct Tax Commissioner (A) Up to FY 2013-14 Indirect Tax 215,174 Up to FY 2013-14 Commissioner (A) 35,432 Tribunal (as on Nov 1, 2014) 98,422 Tribunal (as on Nov 1, 2014) 67,575 High Court(s) 31,844 High Court(s) 14,515 Supreme Court 5,865 Supreme Court *Source: Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Annual Report 2013-2014 43 3,204 Key drivers of tax litigation in India Complex laws and multifarious amendments with limited subordinate legislation Inadequate dispute resolution and settlement forums Complex, disparate disclosure requirements Key drivers Alert media reporting – tax activism Unchanged administrative court procedures Overzealous tax administration Target led approach of administration 44 Challenges of taxpayer and judiciary Taxpayers Retrospective amendments – heightened sense of uncertainty Evolving tax legislations (TP, APA, etc.) Inadequate commentary to deal with new regulations Revenue collection driven approach ‘Benefit of doubt’ not with taxpayer Dissenting judgments of multi-state appellate forums and courts Inadequate and inconsistent jurisprudence on interpretation of treaty provisions Protracted litigation Nonchalant approach to stay of unreasonable tax demands 45 Challenges of taxpayer and judiciary (continued) Adjudicator/Judiciary Inadequate infrastructure leading to administrative delays Frequent adjournments Increase in frivolous litigation, writs and SLP’s Monetary threshold limits for filing appeals, lack of qualitative analysis Judicial propriety/dissenting judicial views 46 Hierarchy of authorities – Income tax Hierarchy Time-frame Order passed by Assessing Officer 1-2 years Appeal to Commissioner of Tax (Appeals) within 30 days 3-24 years (6-8 years in certain jurisdiction) Appeal to Income Tax Appellate Tribunal within 60 days 2-3 years (longer in certain jurisdiction) Appeal to High Court within 120 days 3-5years (8-10 years in certain jurisdiction) Supreme Court 4-7 years (depending on the case) 47 Hierarchy of authorities – Indirect tax Hierarchy and time-frame Assistant Deputy/Joint/Additional Commissioner (1-2 years) Commissioner (Appeals) (1-2 years) Commissioner (1-2 years) CESTAT (3-4 years) High Court (4-5 years) Supreme Court (5-8 years) 48 Direct appeal to Supreme Court in case of disputes relating to classification and valuation of goods Need for alternate dispute resolution 1. Concerns on administrative appeal process 2. Experience with DRP Time consuming Structural issues in constitution of the panel Multi-tiers of appellate authorities Only a ‘fast track’ to new level of litigation? Build up of cases at ITAT level – factual nature of issues resulting in matter being remanded back Appeal by department against DRP is unexplainable Uncertainty on eventual outcome 49 Existing framework for alternate dispute resolution Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR) Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) Alternate dispute resolution Advance Pricing Agreements (APA) Income tax Settlement Commission (ITSC) 50 Writ remedy Article 226 empowers High Court to issue writs High Court can interfere under a writ jurisdiction in following cases: • Breach of fundamental rights • Orders/proceedings are wholly without jurisdiction • Vires of provision is challenged • Violation of principles of natural justice Is ‘alternative remedy’ under specific law a bar? 51 UK perspectives HMRC Litigation and Settlement Strategy. 30 new judges recruited for First Tier Tribunal (FTT) Taxand UK involved in (largest?) tax litigation in the UK Increased use of information exchange provisions in double tax treaties Liabilities of over £1 billion 53 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) HMRC acknowledge ADR more effective for some cases that litigation Can help to reach agreement between the parties Can help prepare the parties for litigation 54 1 2 3 4 The view from the pilot’s seat Tax authorities Under resourced both financially and personnel On matters of serious investigation do not expect them to take a commercial view of the world, they don’t think like that 56 Tax authority investigation At the outset of the enquiry presume it will end up in litigation Full disclosure of fact upfront or provide no more than required 57 Pay attention to what you disclose in written correspondence even at the start of an enquiry. It is on the record for the duration of the enquiry and will be used against you in litigation Conduct of meetings with tax Authority Don’t let your advisors/legal team dictate the meeting Prepare your strategy and respective roles before you enter the room Never underestimate the power of your tax authority, they will engage fully, focus attention and commit resources at the appropriate time Never think the battle is lost, portray confidence in your position at all times 58 The litigation journey Be prepared to fight your case at all levels of your tax judicial system If you will not take the battle beyond the first round then don’t start the journey at all 59 Taxand’s Take 1 2 3 Litigation over tax matters has become increasingly common and with initiatives like BEPS and around treaty anti-avoidance this trend is highly likely to continue. Multinationals should help prepare for this by obtaining certainty of tax positions through rulings, clearance applications, APAs and engagement with Tax Authorities where appropriate. The tax affairs of multinationals are now front page news. There will be areas that can only be resolved through litigation and heads of tax should consider the costs of reputational damage and whether politics would interfere with obtaining a fair hearing before engaging in planning that may proceed to Court. 60 Speaker profiles Alistair Armstrong Development Securities Alistair is Head of Tax at London based Development Securities PLC. He has experience in transactional real estate structuring in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, The Netherlands, Ireland and Luxembourg. Following roles at KPMG, ABN AMRO, Deutsche Bank and Marsh Inc. Alistair moved to Development Securities in 2010 to set up and run their internal tax department. He has extensive experience of tax litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Bela Mao Shell Bela is a Chartered Accountant and an alumni of the Indian Revenue Service. She has been actively involved on advocacy initiatives with the government on Dispute Resolution, Goods and Service Tax and various other issues impacting business in India. Based in Mumbai, Bela is Country Tax Lead for Shell India also a part of the Shell global transfer pricing team. 61 Speaker profiles Mukesh Butani Taxand India Augusto Fantozzi Taxand Italy T: +91 124 339 5010 E: [email protected] Mukesh is a member of the Taxand Board and Chairman of BMR Advisors which is Taxand India. With a specialisation in international tax and transfer pricing, he has significant experience in advising Fortune 500 multinationals and Indian business houses on a wide range of matters across multiple sectors. T: +39 06 4200611 E: [email protected] Prof. Augusto Fantozzi is founder and main partner of Fantozzi & Associati, lawyer and professor of tax law at the Universities of Rome ‘La Sapienza’ and ‘L.U.I.S.S’. He was appointed Minister of Finance and Minister of Foreign Trade during the period from 1995 to 1998. He became Chairman of the Fifth Budget and Treasury Committee of the Chamber of Deputies and Vice President of the Higher Council of the Minister of Finance, President of the National Association of Tax Collectors and member of the Council of State of the Vatican City State. He continues to hold relevant positions such as President of Sisal S.p.A. and of Sisal Holding Finanziaria S.p.A. 62 Speaker profiles Kevin Hindley Taxand UK T: +44 2077155235 E: [email protected] Kevin is based in Taxand UK where he is a managing director with Alvarez & Marsal Taxand. Kevin has 18 years’ experience in corporate and international tax, assisting clients across all industries, from rapidly growing, privately held companies to businesses in the Fortune 500. He has also worked with a number of intermediary professional tax advisory firms, providing input and expert technical advice. 63 Plenary II: BEPS Tailoring your approach Raphael Coin, GE Paul Morton, Reed Elsevier Mukesh Butani, Taxand India Paolo Ruggiero, Taxand Italy Angel Calleja, Taxand Spain Albert Liguori, Taxand USA Overview Plenary II: BEPS – fashioning your preparations Raphael Coin, GE; Paul Morton, Reed Elsevier; Mukesh Butani, Taxand India; Paolo Ruggiero, Taxand Italy; Angel Calleja, Taxand Spain & Albert Liguori, Taxand USA Endorsed by the G-20, the OECD BEPS initiative has shattered the foundations of the international tax arena. Ambition, wide scope, unafraid of new forms of business and a bold approach are a few of the distinctive features of this project. While the OECD deserves recognition for such immense effort and for the sound and timely deliveries already produced, a number of concerns have in the meantime been put forward both by MNCs and by tax professionals. Issues such as the need of consensus versus unilateral utilisation by States of BEPs weaponry, disruption of the existing international status quo which took 50 years to build or, more than ever before, the need for true automatic elimination of international double taxation have now cropped out with great strength. OECD, MNC and Taxand standpoints about BEPS´ vast implications looking into the future were openly debated in this session. 65 Overview Paul Morton (Reed Elsevier) Raphael Coin (GE) Albert Liguori (Taxand USA) Mukesh Butani (Taxand India) Paolo Ruggiero (Taxand Italy) Challenges and next steps Chair – Angel Calleja (Taxand Spain) 66 Introduction BEPS – G20 initiative to ensure fairness of the international tax system and to secure countries’ revenue bases Directly entrusted to OECD – seven major 2014 deliverables plus eight in pipeline for 2015 Profits should be taxed where economic activities are performed and value is created 67 BEPS contents Actions focused around three main principles: Coherence (hybrids, interest, CFC, harmful practices) Substance (treaty abuse, PE, intangibles, risk and capital, high risk transactions) Transparency (methodologies and data, disclosure, TP documentation, dispute resolution) Plus report on Digital Economy Plus report on Multilateral Instrument 68 What we know 1 Strong political impetus 2 Urgent, ambitious and determined 3 It will change current rules and an international consensus which took decades to build 69 What we know (continued) 4 It will put further ammunition in the hand of States 5 Soft law will not be enough this time – many measures will need local legal implementation 6 In sum, a major overhaul of the current international tax system 70 Numerous concerns Need for consensus including developing countries (‘unilateral action may lead to chaos’) Impact on tax rulings, APAs (Luxleaks, etc.) Impact on indirect taxes and VAT Impact on tax incentives (patent boxes, etc.) Holding company substance? Impact on CCCTB (EU) Increase in tax disputes/litigation worldwide Convergence with due corporate tax governance 71 Furthermore, states generally… Prefer unilateral measures Do not resolve MAPs speedily (or at all) Do not effectively exchange information Do not perform joint audits smoothly Do not in effect support CCCTB (EU) Incentivise certain investments with tax benefits Discretionally rule on tax matters 72 Panel What are, around BEPS so far, the main concerns/impacts for industries and tax professionals? Our panel: Paul Morton (Reed Elsevier) Raphael Coin (GE) Albert Liguori (Taxand USA) Mukesh Butani (Taxand India) Chair – Angel Calleja (Taxand Spain) Paolo Ruggiero (Taxand Italy) 73 Main discussion topics 1 Digital PE and services abuse, CFC and 2 Treaty Diverted Profits Tax 3 4 TP, CbC and cost sharing arrangements 5 Multilateral instrument 74 Interest relief and hybrids Digital publishing Example purely illustrative Review board: Various Review board members are third parties Author: Sweden Editor: Belgium The editor has unique knowledge and is responsible for this database Author: Denmark Authors are third parties Contracts with all global customers Contracting entity: Netherlands Production: Philippines Sales office: France Sales support Customer: Italy Datacentre: US Platform development: Netherlands User on secondment: Japan Software coding: India The platform cost $500 million and was cost shared by five operating companies – UK, US, France, Netherlands and Japan Actually uses publications In Hawaii but using the Japanese VPN but his Italian subscription 75 agreement User on holiday: Hawaii Normally uses publications In Japan Digital PE and services Significant digital presence – the impact of human intervention and the concept of preparatory or auxiliary nature of activities Obtaining of data with a commercial value deriving from the use of digital products or services – attribution of profits New business models – sources and rules Effective tax collection (indirect taxes) 76 Interest relief Excessive/inappropriate interest expenses Inbound – deductible expenses in high-tax countries vs. income taxable in low-tax countries Outbound – deductible expenses versus exempted income at lender level What is the aim? – stop abuse/system coherence/to assimilate interest and dividends 77 Hybrids 1. 2. Domestic laws: Tax treaties: Dividend not exempt if expense deductible Dual resident companies No more double dips Transparent entities How to coordinate states (BEPS vs. non BEPS) Exemption (vs. credit) model now restricted 78 TP and cost sharing agreements Consensus required for system (APAs, MAPs) to work Intangibles – concept, ownership and transactions Low value added intragroup services Cost sharing agreements: Content Participation criteria 79 Information requirements Country by country report Basic content of reporting obligation Need for coordinated implementation across countries Corporate governance No guarantee of double taxation elimination/mitigation 80 CFC and Diverted Profits Tax CFC • Improves collection in place of • • residence and potential positive effect at source (eliminates incentive in low tax country) Restricted rules in case of lack of substance and expense generation Liquidity issues for due tax payment and double taxation 81 DPT • Is this a form of CFC? Multilateral instrument Hybrid entities Treaty abuse Artificial PE avoidance Dispute resolution Exchange of information – CbC Associated enterprised 82 Before closing …an unfair and open question: Looking in your crystal ball, what do you see for the future? 83 BEPS – India update FM statement (April 2015) – BEPS, a concern for developing /emerging economies GAAR – a comprehensive attempt to tackle BEPS BEPS to prompt • Domestic law calibration • Capacity building (training, infrastructure) Tax department leveraging on BEPS; courts unswayed 84 Taxand’s Take 1 2 3 Review your business operations now and implement changes per BEPS requirements Pay attention to your TP policy, financing structure, 'no substance' companies/potential treaty shopping and lack of business purpose for structuring Prepare to be transparent – consider appointment of tax expert at board level, responsible for the managing of tax strategy and risks 85 Closing We will be holding a 'BEPS Clinic' tomorrow between 09:15 and 11:30 with representation of all major Taxand countries The clinic is ideally suited for more specific individual discussion/ consultation about local development of BEPS in each state Feel free to drop by when you are not in a breakout session 86 Closing A very special thanks to our panel members and, thank you all! 87 Speaker profiles Raphaël Coin GE Raphaël is responsible for the tax affairs for GE in France based in Paris. In his role he is responsible for the tax profile of GE in France and is engaged on regular discussions with public authorities to discuss the evolution of the tax system. Before GE Raphaël was a partner of an international firm. Paul Morton RELX Group Paul is Head of Group Tax at RELX Group plc (Reed Elsevier) where he leads a team of more than 40 tax professionals, serving mainly digital businesses with customers in every country in the world. 88 Speaker profiles Mukesh Butani Taxand India Paolo Ruggiero Taxand Italy T: +91 124 339 5010 E: [email protected] Mukesh is a member of the Taxand Board and Chairman of BMR Advisors which is Taxand India. With a specialisation in international tax and transfer pricing, he has significant experience in advising Fortune 500 multinationals and Indian business houses on a wide range of matters across multiple sectors. T: +39 02 7260591 E: [email protected] Paolo Ruggiero is based in Taxand Italy. He was admitted to the Association of Chartered Accountants in 2000. He joined Taxand Italy, Fantozzi & Associati, in 2012 after working for other primary tax law firms and has become Associate since 2014. He is a member of International Fiscal Association (IFA). 89 Speaker profiles Angel Calleja Taxand Spain Albert Liguori Taxand USA T: +34 91 51 45 20 0 E: [email protected] Angel is a partner of Taxand Spain, which is Garrigues. Angel specialises in international taxation and cross-border issues with a particular focus on corporate tax planning and transfer pricing. He has more than 25 years’ experience advising major multinationals. He has been a member of the Business Advisory Group to the OECD joint working group on Transfer Pricing and Business Restructurings. T: +1 212 763 1638 E: [email protected] Albert is based in Taxand USA where he is a managing director. With 18 years of international tax and accounting experience, Albert assists multinationals to assess and improve their global tax profiles and functionality. Albert leads a New York based international tax team supporting clients on cross-border transactions to advance corporate tax efficiencies, including accounting for income taxes. 90 Plenary III: The ultimate TP business case Vincent Desoubries, Taxand France Permana Adi Saputra, Taxand Indonesia Marc Alms, Taxand USA Jens Brodbeck, Taxand South Africa Overview Plenary III: The ultimate TP business case Vincent Desoubries, Taxand France; Permana Adi Saputra, Taxand Indonesia, Jens Brodbeck, Taxand South Africa & Marc Alms, Taxand USA As global transfer pricing requirements continue to evolve through a patchwork of central OECD guidance and implementation via local statutes and regulations, it becomes increasingly necessary for businesses to stitch together a process for efficient management of transfer pricing policies. Greater scrutiny is afforded to the transactional substance of related party dealings and taxing authorities seek to maximise the profit attributable to its jurisdiction. With this trend comes the need to craft the ultimate business case in support of the chosen supply chain organisation. Taxand advisors from France, Indonesia, South Africa and the USA explored practical means to address this dilemma and a means to finding the best fit. 92 Introduction Evolving international tax landscape, where transfer pricing and supply chain planning remains at the forefront for opportunity and controversy For fourth straight year, Taxand Global Survey 2015 shows that TP is top of mind for senior management • Nearly 30% of respondents say this is the most challenging tax area to address What does it mean to have ‘the ultimate TP business case’? 93 Planning in the age of BEPS More than 75% of respondents indicated that Reputational Risk is a major concern in tax planning Planning in the age of BEPS Risk/reward balance 94 Compliance Comparability Do comparable companies exist? What does it mean to be ‘comparable’? Significant use globally of TNMM/CPM as primary transfer pricing method As example, nearly 80% of APAs completed by US IRS that involved tangible goods or services transactions featured a CPM/TNMM 95 Country by country report 57% of respondents in the Taxand Global survey 2015 were in favour of country by country reporting Confidentiality Administrability Consistency 96 Taxand’s Take 1 2 3 BEPS requires taxpayers and advisors to evaluate TP planning in a new light and with careful consideration Transfer pricing defence will continue to be a source of global controversy – tailor the business case CbC reporting is arriving now and there is no longer time to wait for working out an implementation plan 97 Speaker profiles Vincent Desoubries Taxand France Permana Adi Saputra – Taxand Indonesia T. +33 17 039 5490 E. [email protected] Vincent Desoubries is a Partner with Arsene Taxand in Paris. Vincent’s field of expertise is transfer pricing and business structuring though the piloting and the execution of various transfer pricing projects. Such projects include design of transfer pricing policies, worldwide documentation studies or tax affective business restructurings for multinational clients in a number of industries such as energy, tourism or spirits. Vincent also specialises in economic issues applied to taxation such as valuation of assets. T. + 62 21 8399 9919 E. [email protected] Permana Adi Saputra is a Transfer Pricing Partner with PB Taxand in Jakarta. Permana has significant experience assisting clients in the preparation of Transfer Pricing Documentation, representing clients in tax audits, tax objections and appeals related to Transfer Pricing cases, and assists clients in applying the Advance Pricing Agreement and Mutual Agreement Procedure. His expertise also includes supply chain management and price/profit structuring. Permana actively participates in discussions with Tax Officers regarding Transfer Pricing issues in Indonesia. Currently he also serves as Secretary General of Ikatan Akuntan Indonesia Kompartemen Akuntan Pajak for 2014-2016. 98 Speaker profiles Jens Brodbeck Taxand South Africa T. + 27 21 410 6660 E. [email protected] Jens Brodbeck is an Executive at ENSafrica in Cape Town. Jens specialises in corporate international tax, with a specific focus on transfer pricing, inbound investments and cross-border tax planning. He has been involved in transfer pricing since the introduction of the South African transfer pricing rules in 1995, assisting international and South African multinationals with their transfer pricing needs. This includes transfer pricing planning advice, economic analyses including benchmarking studies, the preparation of transfer pricing compliance documentation, as well as assisting with transfer pricing audits and settlement agreements. Marc Alms T. +12 12 763 1887 E. [email protected] Taxand USA Marc Alms is a Managing Director with Alvarez & Marsal Taxand in New York. Marc has more than 15 years of experience assisting both public and privately-held clients, leading engagements in the planning and documentation of transfer pricing policies, obtaining Advance Pricing Agreements and assisting with Competent Authority for multinational corporations across a broad range of industries. He has worked extensively with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as well as the revenue authorities of other countries, including Canada, India, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Ireland and the U.K. in representing clients. 99 Coffee break Plenary IV: Indirect tax What’s on trend? Pia Queirolo, Costa Crociere David Busam, Renault-Nissan Alliance Rajeev Dimri, Taxand India Par Sundberg, Taxand Sweden Overview Plenary IV: Indirect tax - what’s on trend? Pia Queirolo, Costa Crociere; David Busam, Renault-Nissan Alliance; Rajeev Dimri, Taxand India & Par Sundberg, Taxand Sweden Indirect taxes are a growing cause of confusion for many multinationals. The recent growth of e-commerce has revolutionised the business landscape, while tax implications on inter-company transactions provide challenges due to the varying rules dependent on geographical location. With constant developments taking place in indirect tax worldwide, multinationals face a new era of tax scrutiny and reporting. Taxand advisors from India and Sweden highlight the key indirect tax developments from across the globe & the considerations multinationals should make when tailoring their approach. 102 Rajeev Dimri, Taxand India Pia Queirolo Taxation and Corporate Matters Director, Costa Crociere ….. Finally on holiday ….. You can enjoy your travel on a marvelous cruise vessel It’s summer… it’s hot You want a drink and you may think that “a drink is a drink” BUT Are you sure you understand if it is a provision of goods or of services? Don’t worry, the EU has done the job for you and has given an official definition 106 Art. 6 of EU Regulation 282/2011 Restaurant and catering services mean services consisting of the supply of prepared or unprepared food or beverages or both, for human consumption, accompanied by sufficient support services allowing for the immediate consumption thereof 107 Ok, when I get my dinner then…no problem BUT Are you sure you know where the place of supply is? Don’t worry – again - the EU has simplified your job and has given the following definition 108 Art. 37 of EU Regulation 282/2011 The place of supply of a restaurant service or catering service carried out within the Community partly during a section of a passenger transport operation effected within the Community, and partly outside such a section but on the territory of a Member State, shall be determined in its entirety according to the rules for determining the place of supply applicable at the beginning of the supply of the restaurant or catering service. 109 Are you sure that outside Europe your life will be easier and without the complexity that 28 member countries fighting for their VAT revenues cause? Of course….NOT! Let’s imagine you have to calculate and to pay Brazilian taxes, you have: PIS/COFINS (social security contributions payable on revenues) II: Import tax IPI: tax on manufactured goods ICMS: value-added tax ISS: tax on services 110 Or , going to another part of the world Let’s imagine that you want to enhance your presence in the fast developing market of China, you will certainly like to know if your business is subject to the Business Tax or to the, more recently introduced, VAT You may find some difficulties since most of the regulations and explanatory notes are not available to the public Or you may see that the rules are different not only among states or regions but also from one DISTRICT of the same city to the other 111 At this point you may prefer to be back in the Old Europe, where at least there are Directives that are aimed at considering the difficulties for businesses working in an international environment, where there is a general principle called “proportionality” which should give you assurance that no excessive burden of formalities will be imposed, and so you may decide to relax and to smoke a cigarette 112 BUT Are you sure you know how excise taxes are levied in each single jurisdiction? Italy uses tax stamps physically enclosed in the package so that a package purchased in Italy can be sold exclusively in Italy (and Italy gets its revenues …) 113 HOW do we survive in such a difficult environment? No magic wand, only some basic guidelines Having a continuous relationship with local advisors to keep you up to date in your understanding of the rules and interpretation of the rules Keeping a watchful eye also on other countries to ensure consistency of approach Having a continuous relationship with our colleagues to support decisions related to new initiatives Designing administrative processes straightforward enough to be manageable 114 Having a continuous relationship with local advisors to keep you up to date in your understanding of the rules and interpretation of the rules Light internal structures Compare the company perspective with others Relationship with tax authorities Support during audits and litigation 115 Keeping a watchful eye also on other countries to ensure consistency of approach Possibility of filing ruling request to clarify general concepts Ex: Services necessary for the direct needs of a ship, engaged in high seas voyages, zero rated transactions Possible benefits deriving from an appropriate definition of the concept Ex: Definition of Ship 116 Having a continuous relationship with our colleagues to support decisions related to new initiatives 117 Designing administrative processes straightforward enough to be manageable Agreements Documents to be issued: any simplification available? VAT reports: IT support VAT filing: one European model 118 Around the world we find thousands of different rules We know that for each single transaction a fiscal document is required We struggle to understand which is the right one in each single case BUT This evening do not ask for the Italian “Ricevuta fiscale” , you are only required to enjoy your dinner (as an Italian provision of service…….) 119 David Busam Alliance Global Director Customs & Trade, Renault-Nissan Par Sundberg Taxand Sweden Indirect tax – ”Hot topics´” inside the EU As always there are developments within the EU (from the CJEU, the European Commission as well as the Tax Authorities in different Member States) that in one way or another will affect the business environment within the European Union. The following items are currently subject to increased interest by the Tax Authorities in different Member States. 1 Holding companies (HoldCo) – VAT recovery restrictions 2 Combatting VAT fraud/VAT planning schemes – positive and/or negative VAT consequences for the taxpayers 3 The Skandia America case (C-7/13) 122 Holding companies HoldCos have traditionally been divided into two different categories Passive HoldCo having the effect of being; • A non-taxable person (falling in under the B2C set of rules) • No entitlement of input VAT recovery The revenues for the passive HoldCo could consist of dividends or similar not being considered as remuneration for rendering services (or goods) towards its subsidiaries Active HoldCo having the effect of being; • A taxable person (falling in under the B2B set of rules) • Entitled to VAT recovery unless VAT exempt business activities The revenues for the active HoldCo could consist of management fees or similar fees for the management services rendered by the HoldCo towards its subsidiaries 123 Holding companies Recent developments from the different Tax Authorities within the European Union seems to strive for further input VAT restrictions for active HoldCos, especially in cases where the HoldCos are in an excess input VAT recovery position for an extended period of time The arguments behind this standpoint taken by the Tax Authorities are as follows: Being in an excess input VAT recovery position indicates that HoldCo is not getting remunerated in full for the management services rendered towards its subsidiaries The fact that HoldCo is not getting remunerated in full for the services rendered should in one way or another be subject to an adjustment by the Tax Authorities The method of adjustment could be: Pricing adjustments (in line with the Principles laid down in Article 80 of the VAT Directive) Input VAT restrictions 124 Holding companies The possibility of using the pricing adjustment rule in Article 80 of the VAT Directive is rather limited due to the content in the Article. Thus the traditional way to adjust the VAT situation for the HoldCos is to ”go for” an input VAT recovery limitation The argument used by the Tax authorities is that, to the extent that HoldCo is in a negative VAT position, this negative VAT position is connected with the passive shareholding/ownership in the subsidiaries and as such considered as a non economic activity Another reason for the Tax Authorities to apply the input VAT recovery limitation rather than Article 80 is that, especially in cross border situations, the services rendered by HoldCo normally will fall in under Article 44 of the VAT Directive and thus deemed supplied in the country where the recipient of the services is located. This being the situation, no output VAT will be due in the Member State where HoldCo is established 125 Holding companies Pending case (C-108/14 Larentia+Minerva mbH & Co.KG) in the CJEU will hopefully clarify the current situation. On March 26th, the Italian Advocate General Paolo Mengozzi delivered his opinion in this case One of the requests for a preliminary ruling is: The method to be used ”to calculate two holding companies’ input value added tax (VAT) deduction in respect of the acquisition of shareholdings in other companies in the management of which those holding companies involve themselves…” According to the opinion of AG Mengozzi, the answer to this question should be: ”Expenditure connected with capital transactions incurred by a holding company which involves itself directly or indirectly in the management of its subsidiaries has a direct and immediate link with that holding company´s economic activity as a whole. Input value added tax on that expenditure should not therefore be apportioned between the economic and non-economic activities of the holding company. If the holding company effects transactions which are subject to value added tax and transactions which are exempt, the proportion method …will be used to calculate the right to deduct input value added tax” 126 Combatting VAT fraud/VAT planning schemes VAT fraud and (to a certain extent) aggressive VAT planning schemes are always a ”Hot Topic” to deal with by the Member States. There are some traditional ways for the Tax Authorities to deal with these matters and two of the most common methods are as follows Introduce simplification schemes in cross border transactions, e.g. avoid VAT registration formalities for foreign entrepreneurs (through which VAT deductions can be claimed etc.) Introduce an increased use of ”reverse charge” on domestic transactions between taxable persons (no VAT payments due on domestic taxable transactions) 127 Combatting VAT fraud/VAT planning schemes The introduction of a measurement in order to combat fraud and/or aggressive VAT planning also will have an impact on all taxable persons dealing with similar or identical transactions. Depending on the circumstances, these measurements could create either a VAT advantage or a VAT risk VAT advantages VAT risks Less VAT compliance costs Less VAT cash flow (no liability to pay the VAT amount) A VAT simplification scheme in one Member State could create a VAT problem in another Member State (intra community transactions) Wrongfully charged VAT is not considered as being VAT and thus not deductible as input VAT (should a domestic reverse charge system be in place for a particular transaction) 128 The Skandia America case The Skandia America case (C-7/13) is a Swedish case which deals with the VAT treatment of the supply of services between the head office of a US based corporation and its Swedish branch when the Swedish branch was also a member of a Swedish VAT group The structure was mainly created in order to create substantial VAT savings on a number of services supplied by external suppliers. The services were acquired by the head office Skandia America in the US but to a large extent used/consumed by the Skandia Group in Sweden The services acquired by the head office of Skandia America were in turn rendered by Skandia America to the members of the Swedish VAT group of Skandia through its Swedish branch without applying any reverse charge in Sweden since transactions between a head office and its branch were treated as ”no supply” since the transactions was made within the same legal entity 129 The Skandia America case The question referred to the CJEU was whether the fact that the Swedish branch was a member of a Swedish VAT group created a situation where the transaction between the head office and its Swedish branch in fact becomes a supply of services from a VAT perspective and thus subject to VAT in Sweden The CJEU came to the conclusion that this in fact should be considered as a taxable supply. This being the situation, the VAT planning scheme become less attractive. Instead of a substantial VAT saving, a potential VAT cash flow effect would be in place The Skandia America case started, in addition to VAT litigations in some Member States, a lot of different activities at different levels, for instance The use of the VAT grouping provisions is optional for the Member States a questions arises around cross border transactions similar to the Skandia case where one Member State has introduced the VAT grouping provision and the other Member state has not Within the European Commission a working paper (No 845) was published in February 2015 in which the case (together with the VAT committee) is carefully analysed with the aim to ”reach a common and consistent position on the consequences derived from the judgement of the CJEU in this case” 130 Hot topics – concluding remarks Although there will always be ”Hot Topics” dealing with pure technical matters such as the input VAT recovery position for Holding companies it is likely that the ”Hot Topics” for the future within the field of European VAT will be more of being compliant with all aspects of the European VAT system rather than creating complicated VAT savings schemes Being compliant with all aspects of the current European VAT system will, however, in many cases be a challenge in itself since many Member States have introduced unilateral simplification schemes in order to avoid potential VAT frauds or similar Since the European VAT system is constantly changing it is unfortunately the case that even if we are compliant with the system today there is a risk that e.g. a judgement from the CJEU will change this position from one day to another 131 Taxand’s Take 1 2 3 Increased awareness towards indirect tax compliance will be essential The increased demand for tax revenues for the countries will lead to increased activity by the tax administrations and thus indirect tax planning will be even more complicated In order to reduce compliance costs outsourcing/ centralising compliance functions may be considered 132 Speaker profiles Pia Queirolo Costa Crociere Pia is the Taxation and Corporate Matters Director for Italian cruise line Costa Crociere. David Busam Renault-Nissan Alliance David is the Global Director of Customs and Trade for the Renault-Nissan Alliance. He has over 25 years of experience in international trade and customs and he is responsible for all global customs planning and trade operations for both Renault and Nissan. In particular, he is responsible for identifying and implementing synergies within each company that increase compliance, reduce cost and/or improve fluidity of the supply chain. 133 Speaker profiles Rajeev Dimri Taxand India Par Sundberg Taxand Sweden T: +91 98110 60585 E: [email protected] Rajeev is based in Taxand India where he is a partner and leader of BMR Advisors’ indirect tax practice. Rajeev’s area of focus is structuring cross-border transactions for goods and services, covering a range of indirect tax issues. He is an active member of various trade associations, providing input on legislative and policy issues pertaining to the entire gamut of indirect taxes in India. T: +46 73 640 91 58 E: [email protected] Par is the key Swedish member of Taxand’s global indirect tax team. He is based in Taxand Sweden where he is a VAT partner of Skeppsbron Skatt. Par has provided advice on Swedish and international VAT, across a variety of sectors, for almost 25 years. He is also often engaged to speak on VAT issues. 134 Gala dinner Closing remarks Guido Petraroli, Taxand Italy Taxand’s Take Anti-abuse rules and litigation 1 Increased prevalence of legislated anti-abuse rules and substance over form challenges by tax authorities, increased litigation BEPS – tailoring your approach Risks - of inconsistency amongst BEPS proposals, of inconsistent national laws and administrative positions, and more Ultimate transfer pricing Tax authorities becoming emboldened, comparables being challenged Indirect tax – what’s on trend The only constant is change, the only defence is staying up with the change 137 Taxand’s Take – key actions for multinationals 11 2 3 4 Litigation BEPS TP Indirect Litigation is increasing – in number of cases, amounts in controversy, time to resolve. Look for alternatives and be prepared. Potential for inconsistent rules and inconsistent national rules or admin positions – with risks of double (or more) tax – can’t be understated Authorities are becoming emboldened – translating into increasing challenges, particularly on comparables – is BEPS the way out? It’s never simple, it’s not intuitive, and it’s constantly changing – stay on top of the change, assume nothing, and get good local advice! 138 Thank you, and we hope you can join us next year in Dublin! 139 Speaker profiles Guido Petraroli Taxand Italy T. +39 02 7260591 E. [email protected] Guido is the host of the Taxand Global Conference 2015, and is based in Taxand Italy where he is a partner of Fantozzi & Associati. With 20 years’ experience, Guido has earned a reputation of providing technically led, understandable and actionable tax advice. In 2006, Guido was appointed Special Commissioner by the Italian Ministry of Economy for the restructuring of companies in the textile field. 140 Bespoke Client Meetings & Taxand Lounge ABOUT TAXAND Taxand provides high quality, integrated tax advice worldwide. Our tax professionals, nearly 400 tax partners and over 2,000 tax advisors in nearly 50 countries – grasp both the fine points of tax and the broader strategic implications, helping you mitigate risk, manage your tax burden and drive the performance of your business. We're passionate about tax. We collaborate and share knowledge, capitalising on our collective expertise to provide you with high quality, tailored advice that helps relieve the pressures associated with making complex tax decisions. We're also independent – ensuring that you adhere both to best practice and to tax law and that we remain free from time-consuming audit-based conflict checks. This enables us to deliver practical advice responsively. 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