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I.R.S. Notice 2018-28 Announces Code §163(j) Regulations on Interest Payment Deductions

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I.R.S. Notice 2018-28 Announces Code §163(j) Regulations on Interest Payment Deductions

Prior to recent tax reform legislation, Code §163(j) was an earnings stripping provision that placed a cap on interest expense deductions on debt instruments held or guaranteed by foreign related persons that were not subject to full 30% withholding tax on U.S.-source interest income or guarantee fees.  Under the T.C.J.A., Code §163(j) is now simply a cap on all business interest expense.  Notice 2018-28 addresses open matters arising from the change.  This includes the carryover of disallowed interest from prior years to 2018, the Super-Affiliation Rules under the new law, and the loss of excess limitation carryforwards.  Elizabeth V. Zanet and Beate Erwin explain these and other items in the Notice.

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G.D.P.R. Is Imminent – Is Your U.S. Business Prepared?

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G.D.P.R. Is Imminent – Is Your U.S. Business Prepared?

In Europe, an individual’s right to the protection of personal data is a fundamental right.   The E.U. General Data Protection Regulation (“G.D.P.R.”) takes effect on May 25, 2018, to protect that right.  The G.D.P.R. is notable because it applies to all companies processing personal data of persons residing in the European Economic Area regardless of the company's location and irrespective of whether the company has a physical presence in these countries.  Severe penalties are provided for violators. Fanny Karaman and Beate Erwin provide a layman’s guide to the G.D.P.R.

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Texas District Court on Anti-Inversion Legislation – One Down but Not Out

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Texas District Court on Anti-Inversion Legislation – One Down but Not Out

The final months of the Obama administration saw the hurried adoption of temporary regulations in an attempt to extend its tax policy into the current administration.  However, reliance on temporary regulations that are adopted without a public comment period may have been misguided.  In October, a U.S. District Court struck down a provision under temporary anti-inversion regulations for violating the required notice and comment period under the Administrative Procedure Act.  Beate Erwin and Sheryl Shah explain the web of issues involved in the decision.

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The Sharing Economy Part 2: Governments Strike Back

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The Sharing Economy Part 2: Governments Strike Back

The sharing economy uses digital platforms to connect suppliers willing to provide services or use of assets with consumers.  Think of Uber and Airbnb.  These multinationals are structured to channel profits to low-tax jurisdictions.  As with Google and Microsoft, tax authorities have begun to challenge these business models.  In part two of this series, Fanny Karaman and Beate Erwin explain how these business models are being challenged.

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O.E.C.D. Receives Public Comments on Proposed Changes to the Model Tax Convention

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O.E.C.D. Receives Public Comments on Proposed Changes to the Model Tax Convention

In August, the O.E.C.D. released public comments on proposed changes to the Model Tax Convention.  Beate Erwin and Stanley C. Ruchelman examines the suggestions received by the O.E.C.D. and provides observations on the interplay between the O.E.C.D. proposed changes and existing U.S. approaches to these issues.  Areas covered include whether competent authority agreements can define undefined terms thereby removing the interpretation from local courts, whether a limitation on benefits (“L.O.B.”) clause or a principle purpose test (“P.P.T.”) is the better approach to limit treaty shopping, and whether a home that is leased to others can be a permanent home for purposes of applying the residence tiebreaker provision in a treaty. 

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The Sharing Economy Part 1: New Business Models + Traditional Tax Rules Don’t Mix

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The Sharing Economy Part 1: New Business Models + Traditional Tax Rules Don’t Mix

The current international tax system was established on principles dating back to the first half of the 19th century, when a nation’s retail economy consisted mostly of brick-and-mortar stores.  As the purchase of services and goods was gradually dematerialized and internet giants such as Google or Microsoft appeared, governments struggled adapt tax rules to keep up with new business models.  Now, governments around the world have shifted their focus to a relatively new part of the digital economy called the “sharing economy.”  Fanny Karaman and Beate Erwin look at recent tax developments in the world of Airbnb and Uber.

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O.E.C.D. Issues Proposed Changes to Permanent Establishment Provisions Under Model Tax Convention

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O.E.C.D. Issues Proposed Changes to Permanent Establishment Provisions Under Model Tax Convention

Earlier this year, the O.E.C.D. proposed amendments to Article 5 (Permanent Establishment) of the Model Tax Convention and Commentary.  The revisions eliminate loopholes that exist for commissionaire arrangements, artificial characterization of core activities as “preparatory,” avoidance of permanent establishment status through artificial fragmentation of contracts, and the use of not-so-independent agents.  Neha Rastogi, Beate Erwin, and Stanley C. Ruchelman explain the replacement provisions.

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Tax Roulette: Buying a Business Jet in 2017 – Why Following the Patriot’s Example May Lead to a Jackpot

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Tax Roulette: Buying a Business Jet in 2017 – Why Following the Patriot’s Example May Lead to a Jackpot

The New England Patriots recently made headlines with the purchase of two private team jets.  Was this plan implemented only to provide more space for beefy footballers, or did ownership identify the nifty situation that could lead to a jackpot of tax savings for high-ticket assets purchased in 2017?  Beate Erwin and Stanley C. Ruchelman explain that with increased depreciation deductions this year at high tax rates and possible recapture in a future year at low tax rates, the odds are good.

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Insights Vol. 4 No. 6: Updates and Tidbits

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This month, Beate Erwin, Astrid Champion, and Nina Krauthamer look briefly at several timely issues, including (i) the return of foreign certified acceptance agents to the passport certification process in connection with the issuance of U.S. I.T.I.N.’s, (ii) the effect of the French election on French tax reform proposals, and (iii) demands for the U.S. to provide the same type of information as is supplied to I.G.A. partner countries.

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Sale of a Partnership Interest by a Foreign Partner – Is Rev. Rul. 91-32 Based on Law or Administrative Wishes?

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Sale of a Partnership Interest by a Foreign Partner – Is Rev. Rul. 91-32 Based on Law or Administrative Wishes?

The I.R.S. has a long history in misapplying U.S. tax rules applicable to a sale of a partnership interest.  For U.S. tax purposes, a partnership interest is treated as an asset separate and apart from an indirect interest in partnership assets.  In Rev. Rul. 91-32, the I.R.S. misinterpreted case law and Code provisions to conclude that gains derived by foreign investors in U.S. partnerships are subject to tax.  No one thought the I.R.S. position was correct, but then, in a field advice to an agent setting up an adjustment, the I.R.S. publicly stated that the ruling was a proper application of U.S. law when issued and remains so today. The adjustment was challenged in the Tax Court, and the tax bar is eagerly awaiting a decision.  Stanley C. Ruchelman and Beate Erwin examine the I.R.S. position, the string of losses encountered by the I.R.S. when challenged by taxpayers, and the Grecian Magnesite case awaiting decision.

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Qualified Small Business Stock & the EB-5 Visa Program – An Attractive Combination for Potential Investors

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Qualified Small Business Stock & the EB-5 Visa Program – An Attractive Combination for Potential Investors

Ever heard of qualified small business stock (“Q.S.B.S.”) as a means of investing in start-up companies?  Although it is not typically thought of as a tax planning tool for foreign investors, when the foreign person is an applicant for an EB-5 visa, the tax results can be surprisingly good.  Fanny Karaman and Beate Erwin explain.

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Code §163(J) – Ignoring U.S. Thin Capitalization Rules May Leave Tax Advisors Thinly Prepared for Audits

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Code §163(J) – Ignoring U.S. Thin Capitalization Rules May Leave Tax Advisors Thinly Prepared for Audits

B.E.P.S. Action 4 focuses on the need to address base erosion and profit shifting using deductible payments, such as interest, that can give rise to double nontaxation in inbound and outbound investment scenarios. The U.S. addressed this problem many years ago with Code §163(j).  In light of recent I.R.S. guidance providing a step-by-step plan to assist auditors when analyzing interest payments, non-U.S. practitioners should be aware of the thin capitalization debt rules when planning for multinational structures.  Kenneth Lobo and Beate Erwin explain how the provision works in general and in several illustrative fact patterns. 

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Basis Planning in the Usufruct and Bare Ownership Context

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Basis Planning in the Usufruct and Bare Ownership Context

Concepts of usufruct and bare legal ownership are widely used estate planning tools by parents resident in civil law jurisdictions in Europe.  However, when the next generation is resident in a common law jurisdiction such as the U.S., the results are not always pretty.  Fanny Karaman and Beate Erwin examine the tax consequences for the U.S. children and the steps available to the European parents that may limit adverse tax consequences in the U.S.

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Accumulated Earnings Tax Will Hit Taxpayers, Despite Lack of Liquidity or Control

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Accumulated Earnings Tax Will Hit Taxpayers, Despite Lack of Liquidity or Control

Even absent a distribution, shareholders of U.S. corporations may, under certain circumstances, be subject to a second layer of tax: the accumulated earnings tax (“A.E.T.”).  The tax is imposed on the accumulation of earnings beyond the reasonable needs of the business.  Although rarely imposed on well-advised taxpayers, the A.E.T. could become increasingly important if the tax rate disparity between the corporate and individual income taxes increases under proposals put forth by the current administration.  Fanny Karaman and Beate Erwin look at a recent Chief Counsel Advice Memorandum where the absence of liquidity within the corporation was found to be an irrelevant factor in determining that earnings were unreasonably accumulated by the corporate taxpayer.

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Insights Vol. 4 No. 1: Updates & Other Tidbits

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This month, we look briefly at several timely issues, including (i) the termination of foreign acceptance agent agreements used to confirm copies of passports outside the U.S. when a non-U.S. individual obtains an I.T.I.N., (ii) a court order in Canada upholding a demand for disclosure of client names and documentation relating to participation in a discredited tax shelter, (iii) E.U. steps that identify potentially blacklisted low-tax or no-tax countries, and (iv) worsening relations between the U.S. and the E.U. stemming from widening differences in tax policies.

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Transfer Pricing Adjustment Does Not Reduce Dividend Received Deduction from C.F.C.

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When the I.R.S. successfully maintains an adjustment to transfer pricing within an intercompany group, taxable income is increased to one participant but cash remains at the level that existed at year-end prior to the I.R.S. adjustment.  To avoid a second tax adjustment, the party with excessive cash – as determined after the I.R.S. adjustment – may be treated as if it incurred an account payable, which can be repaid free of additional tax.  In Analog Devices, the I.R.S. attempted to argue that the account payable of the C.F.C. should be treated as an actual borrowing.  The effect of an actual borrowing limited the favorable tax treatment under Code §965.  That provision temporarily allowed an 85% dividends received deduction for a U.S. corporation receiving a dividend from a controlled foreign corporation.  The Tax Court disagreed with the I.R.S. position. Kenneth Lobo and Beate Erwin explain.

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Trump and the Republican-Led Congress Seek Overhaul of International Tax Rules

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Trump and the Republican-Led Congress Seek Overhaul of International Tax Rules

Elizabeth V. Zanet and Beate Erwin compare the proposals that comprise the Trump tax plan and the House Republican Tax Reform Blueprint, which will be submitted to Congress as part of a massive overhaul of U.S. tax law.  Tax rates for individuals and corporations would likely be lowered, the standard deduction would be increased, and capital gains tax rates would remain at the same level.  The net investment income tax would be repealed.  The estate tax and generation skipping tax would be repealed.  The gift tax would remain.  Other provisions are discussed, also.

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European State Aid: The Makings of A Global Trade War

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European State Aid: The Makings of A Global Trade War

This month, we reminisce on the best of 2016, with articles on the brewing transatlantic trade war disguised as European Commission attacks on illegal State Aid given to U.S.-based groups.

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Treasury Attacks European Commission on State Aid – What Next?

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On August 30, 2016, the European Commission ordered Ireland to claw back €13 billion ($14.5 billion) plus interest from Apple after favorable Irish tax rulings were deemed to be illegal State Aid.  The U.S. Treasury Department issued a white paper shortly before the decision staking out the reasons why the European Commission crusade is unjustified, especially in relation to its retroactive effect.   This trans-Atlantic conflict is placed in context in an article by Kenneth Lobo and Beate Erwin.

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O.E.C.D Targets Hybrid Mismatch Arrangements Using Branch Structures

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Advisers who took comfort in the belief that the B.E.P.S. Project’s attack on hybrid mismatches did not apply to transactions between two branches of the same entity were disappointed when the O.E.C.D. released draft recommendations for domestic law that would neutralize income inclusion mismatches using branches located in different countries.  Kenneth Lobo and Beate Erwin explain that D/NI, DD, and indirect D/NI outcomes are not legitimized when branches, rather than affiliates, are used.

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