European Commission announces investigation into Belgian excess profit ruling system
On 3 February 2015, the European Commission released a press release announcing an in-depth investigation into a Belgian tax provision that allows group companies to reduce their corporate tax basis with a profit part that results from the advantage of belonging to a multinational group, on the basis of what is referred to as an “excess profit” tax ruling. The press release
Facilitation for Belgium-Luxembourg cross-border workers
The Belgian and Luxembourg governments had a joint meeting yesterday in Brussels and came to the following agreement with respect to cross-border employment tax situations: With respect to wages taxes, a tolerance will retroactively (as from 1 January 2015) enter into force regarding the physical presence outside the (usual) country of employment. Concretely, a Belgian resident
EU PSD – Council adopts anti-abuse clause
In a press release of 27 January 2015, the Council has disclosed its amendments to the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive (PSD) (2011/96/EU). Objective of the amendments The Council amended the PSD, adding a binding anti-abuse clause to prevent tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning by corporate groups. The aim is to stop the PSD from being misused for tax avoidance and to
UK’s ‘Diverted Profits Tax’ proposes a 25% tax rate for taxpayers but leaves open questions
Background On 10 December 2014 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) released the diverted profits tax (DPT) provisions within its draft Finance Bill 2015. Upon initial review, the new rules could affect many more companies than one might have anticipated. Scope The DPT is a new tax, with a 25% rate on profits that are considered
Belgian reporting obligation for payments to tax havens
Belgian requirements for payments to ‘tax havens’ As from 1 January 2010, companies subject to Belgian corporate income tax or Belgian non-resident corporate income tax are obliged to declare direct or indirect payments exceeding EUR 100,000 to recipients established in so-called ‘tax havens’. The reporting obligation applies to both cash payments and payments in kind.
OECD publishes PE discussion draft (artificial avoidance)
The OECD has published its discussion draft on the Preventing of Artificial Avoidance of permanent establishment (PE) Status. This publication follows the BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) timeline. A fundamental change to the existing PE rules, with a potentially wide impact on many structures currently in use by MNCs, are proposed in the OECD
Exposure Draft: Recognition of DTA for Unrealised Losses (IFRS)
The IASB has proposed amendments to IAS 12 on deferred tax asset recognition for debt instruments measured at fair value. The exposure draft also suggests a new illustrative example. The comment period ends on 18 December 2014. The exposure draft proposes to clarify the following: unrealised losses on debt instruments measured at fair value and
European Commission explains State aid investigations in Ireland and Luxembourg
On 30 September 2014 the European Commission published its opening decisions in the formal investigations into transfer pricing agreements between Apple and, allegedly, Fiat and – respectively – Ireland and Luxembourg. The European Commission had already communicated these investigations through a press release issued on 11 June 2014. The current decisions explain the reason for
