OECD releases the draft contents of the 2017 update to the OECD Model Tax Convention
The OECD announced that earlier this week, on 11 July 2017, the OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs released the draft contents of the 2017 update to the OECD Model Tax Convention (‘MTC’) prepared by the Committee’s Working Party 1. The draft contents of the 2017 update to the OECD MTC has not yet been approved by
Draft MLI positions of different territories reflect a range of views on BEPS implementation
As a result of a new legal instrument, changes to the allocation of taxing rights and the introduction of new anti-avoidance rules mean that, once ratified, businesses and individuals may no longer qualify for double taxation relief on a range of cross-border transactions and activities. Taxable presences, compliance burdens, and tax liabilities could increase, and
ATAD II Directive formally adopted
On 29 May 2017, the EU’s Council (in the Competitiveness Council configuration) formally adopted the Council Directive amending Directive (EU) 2016/1164 as regards hybrid mismatches with third countries (ATAD II) without further discussion. The amended Directive (ATAD II) has a broader scope than ATAD I as it also covers hybrid mismatches with third countries and
CJEU rules on subject-to-tax requirement of Parent-Subsidiary Directive
On 8 March 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) rendered its Judgment in Wereldhave Belgium and Others concerning the interpretation of the subject-to-tax requirement of the Parent-Subsidiary Directive (“PSD”) (C-448/15). The CJEU’s interpretation of the PSD’s subject-to-tax requirement is more severe than a mere formal subjective tax liability. However, the precise
Council agrees its position on hybrid mismatches with third countries
On 21 February 2017, the Council of the EU, meeting through its Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) Council, agreed its position on rules aimed at closing down ‘hybrid mismatches’ with the tax systems of third countries (so called ATAD II). Following to the European Commission’s proposal on amendments to the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD) as
Non-confidential version of the EC’s State aid opening decision in GDF Suez published
On 5 January 2017, the European Commission (“EC”) published its opening decision in the formal investigation into Luxembourg tax rulings obtained by entities of GDF Suez. The opening decision dated 19 September 2016 explains the reasons for the initiation of the formal investigation and the additional information requested from Luxembourg in order to reach a
Law implementing recovery procedure with regard to the Belgian excess profit provision adopted
Belgium has adopted on 22 December 2016 the law covering the implementation of the European Commission (‘EC’) decision of 11 January 2016 (‘Decision’) with regard to the Belgian excess profit provision based on Article 185 §2 of Belgian Income Tax Code 1992 (‘BITC’). The law, which has been drafted in cooperation and with the approval
European Commission proposes Corporate Tax Package
On 25 October 2016, the European Commission (EC) adopted yet another comprehensive tax package which consists of four new draft EU Directives on: a Common Corporate Tax Base (CCTB Directive) a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB Directive) hybrid mismatches with third countries double taxation dispute resolution mechanisms in the EU (Dispute Resolution Directive) In
