A ten minutes tour of:
- The introduction of a global minimum taxation of 15%
- Some salient new points, such as inclusion of deferred taxes to calculate jurisdictional ETR
- The importance of modeling to understand the impact
- The ambitious timeline for implementation
Earlier today, the OECD published the long awaited Global Anti-Base Erosion Model Rules (Pillar Two) agreed upon by the Inclusive Framework on BEPS. These rules should facilitate the implementation of a minimum effective taxation of 15% on a per country level for multinational groups with consolidated revenues exceeding EUR 750 million. They include the design of the income inclusion rule (IIR), the undertaxed payment rule (UTPR) and the substance-based income exclusion.
With this publication just prior to the imminent launch of the European Commission Pillar 2 Directive (expected 22 December), there is little time to waste for business to get its arms around the features of what safely can be called a major overhaul in the international tax architecture.
The GloBE Model rules form part of the Two-Pillar solution to address the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy. On Pillar 1 (the allocation of a piece of excess profits over user countries) further communications are expected in 2022, which will be addressed in a separate newsflash.
Who is in scope?
The GloBE rules will apply to MNEs that meet the EUR 750 million revenue threshold in at least two of the four fiscal years immediately preceding the tested fiscal year.
Governmental entities, international organisations, not-for-profit organisations, pension funds, investment funds or real estate investment vehicles that are the ultimate parent entity of a MNE group are excluded.
What are the mechanics?
Pillar 2 covers the Model rules to allow for a minimum effective tax rate (on a jurisdictional basis) at 15% through two interlocking local rules, i.e., the GloBE rules:
- Income inclusion rule (IIR): the ultimate parent entity of the MNE group (or an intermediary holding company e.g. in case of a joint venture) shall pay a top up tax in its residence country triggered by low-tax subsidiaries. If the state where the ultimate parent entity is located did not implement the GloBE rules, the burden shifts to the lower parent entity.
- Undertaxed payment rule (UTPR): local denial of deduction or adjustment of the low-taxed income of the low-tax affiliate when the latter is not subject to the IIR. This rule is not applicable to investment entities.
Today’s communication does not contain any (further) guidance on the final design of the subject to tax rule (STTR). This will allow source countries to impose taxation limited to the difference between the minimum rate (9%) and the rate on the intercompany payment. The application of the STTR requires changes to bilateral tax treaties. A treaty-provision for the STTR is expected by mid 2022.
Effective tax rate and top-up tax
To determine the top up tax to be paid, the GloBE rules refer to an effective tax rate (ETR), calculated on a jurisdictional basis. The ETR for each country is equal to (i) the sum of the GloBE taxes of each entity (excl. investment entities) located in the jurisdiction, divided by (ii) the Net GloBE Income of the jurisdiction for the fiscal year. Permanent Establishments also qualify as entity.
The GloBE taxes and Net GloBE Income start from the financial accounting figures used for consolidation purposes per entity, including agreed adjustments. International shipping income is excluded. It is important to note that besides the current tax expense, deferred taxes will also have to be taken into account subject to certain conditions.
If the jurisdictional ETR is below 15%, top-up tax will in principle be due with respect to the Net GloBE Income of that jurisdiction. To determine the amount of top-up tax, amongst others the substance based income exclusion, the de minimis profit exclusion and a potential domestic top –up tax must be taken into account.
Substance-based income exclusion
Particularly important to groups benefiting from tax incentives: the substance-based income exclusion will reduce the net GloBE income by the sum of the payroll carve-out and the tangible asset carve-out for each entity (except for investment entities) in that jurisdiction. In a transition period of 10 years, the amount of income excluded will be 8% of the carrying value of tangible assets and 10% of payroll costs, declining annually by 0.2 percentage points for the first five years, and by 0.4 percentage points for tangible assets and by 0.8 percentage points for payroll for the last five years. After 10 years, a 5% reduction will apply for both payroll costs and carrying value of tangible assets.
In addition, a de minimis profit exclusion rule will be provided and no top-up tax will be due for jurisdictions where, averaging current and two prior years, the GloBE revenue is less than EUR 10 million and GloBE Income (or Loss) is less than EUR 1 million.
The UTPR will not apply to MNEs in the initial phase of their international activity. For the Model Rules purposes, ‘start-up’ MNEs are operating in no more than six jurisdictions and have a maximum of EUR 50 million tangible assets abroad. This exclusion is limited to a period of 5 years after the MNE comes into the scope of the GloBE rules for the first time. For those MNEs that are in scope of the GloBE rules when the UTPR rules enter into effect, the period of 5 years will start when the UTPR rules come into effect.
Safe harbours
No final agreement is reached on the scope of the safe harbours. Further guidance is expected in this regard in 2022 in the Implementation Framework.
Summary of the calculation of the top-up tax
Source: https://www.oecd.org/tax/beps/pillar-two-GloBE-rules-fact-sheets.pdf
When and how will the rules come into effect / next steps
Next on the OECD/G20 agenda is the publication of the Commentary to the GloBE Rules, which will be released early 2022 to provide additional guidance on the interpretation of the Model Rules. In February and March 2022 respectively, public consultations will be organised on the Implementation Framework (to facilitate the coordination and administration of the new rules, including safe harbours) and the STTR. The conditions for co-existence of these rules with the US minimum tax rules (GILTI) are equally expected for February 2022.
The expected timeline is that Pillar Two should be transposed into law over the course of 2022, so as to be effective in 2023, with the UTPR coming into effect in 2024. With respect to the STTR and its commentary, a treaty provision will be developed by mid 2022. Further, a multilateral instrument will be developed by mid 2022 to organize a swift and consistent transfer of the STTR into the bilateral treaties.
Your call for action as a company
Modeling will be crucial to understand the financial impact, in particular because certain elements of the GloBE Income calculation are left at the discretion of the taxpayer. The election of a certain position can have important financial consequences.
Compliance and data gathering will be pivotal as well. The calculation of the jurisdictional ETR is a burdensome task requiring input data that is not always readily available. Even if no top-up tax is due, the implementation of the GloBE rules may bring specific compliance challenges.
Our dedicated team has things at its fingertips and is ready to assist.
Let’s connect!
For more insights on the two-pillar approach or the PwC Marta impact assessment, reach out to Isabel Verlinden, Jonas Van de Gucht, Evi Geerts, Pieter Deré, Jean-Philippe Van West, Stefaan De Baets, Gilles Franssens, Jens Kiekens or your usual PwC contact.
More news about
- Corporate income tax
- International taxation
- Tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy/Global anti-base erosion (GloBE)
- Tax controversy and dispute resolution (TCDR)
- Transfer pricing
