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Mauritius – Gateway To Africa

Mauritius – Gateway To Africa

Rightly called “the Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” Mauritius is much more than a popular tourist destination. Recent World Bank statistics identify Mauritius as the country with the second highest per capita G.D.P. in Africa. Mauritius maintains relationships with key African and international bodies, such as the Southern African Development Community (“S.A.D.C.”), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (“C.O.M.E.S.A.”), the World Trade Organization, and the Commonwealth of Nations. It has a low income tax rate and offers a range of incentives to boost its competitiveness. Sattar Abdoula, the C.E.O. of Grant Thornton Mauritius, and Mariam Rajabally, a partner in the international financial services and tax at Grant Thornton Mauritius, take a deep dive into the tax, financial, and commercial benefits that are available in Mauritius, and why it remains an important gateway into Africa.

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Square Pegs in Round Holes – You Like "To-May-To" and I Like "To-Mah-To"

Square Pegs in Round Holes – You Like "To-May-To" and I Like "To-Mah-To"

In a post-COVID-19 world, anecdotal evidence suggests that individuals and families are relocating to new jurisdictions of residence. Equally, individuals have evidenced renewed vigor in acquiring and structuring assets across a range of jurisdictions. When the individual is a U.S. citizen and the place to relocate or acquire assets is the U.K., care must be taken to avoid common – and not so common – traps and pitfalls regarding taxation. In their article, Ed Powles, a Partner of Maurice Turnor Gardner, London and Emma-Jane Weider, the Managing Partner of Maurice Turnor Gardner, London, identify areas for which tax planning is crucially important prior to a move. Included are (i) tax residence and domicile rules for individuals, (ii) residence tests for trusts, companies, and charities, (iii) identifying areas for which income tax treaties do not necessarily provide relief against double taxation, and (iv) ways in which gift and estate planning, dissolution of marriages, forced heirship, and structures to own personal use residential real property are affected by the move.

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Andorra: A Comprehensive Tax And Legal Analysis

Andorra: A Comprehensive Tax And Legal Analysis

Andorra is a tiny landlocked principality nestled in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. While it offers many quality-of-life benefits, the country’s biggest attraction has been its favorable taxation system. In recent years, Andorra has worked diligently to enhance transparency and to promote international cooperation in an attempt to rid itself of a tax haven reputation. Today, Andorra is widely considered to have a modern tax system, making it an approved jurisdiction by the E.U. It is a party to 10 double tax agreements, participates in C.R.S., is not on the O.E.C.D. list of noncooperative tax jurisdictions, and has ongoing discussions of association with the E.U. All the while, Andorra maintains attractive tax rates for individuals and corporations. Albert Folguera Ventura, C.E.O., Partner, and Head of Tax at Addwill Partners, Barcelona, explains the ins-and-outs of the Andorran tax system applicable to corporations and individuals resident in the country.

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News From Italy – Recent Updates to Inbound Workers Regime and Register of Beneficial Owners

News From Italy – Recent Updates to Inbound Workers Regime and Register of Beneficial Owners

This month, the good news regarding special tax regimes in Italy relates to the flat tax. No changes are expected to the regime as Italy finishes its legislative session. The €100,000 flat tax remains intact. Good news also exists for the lesser known Pensioners Regime that imposes a 7% substitute tax on all pension payments paid on non-Italian source pension income if certain conditions are met. However, cutbacks in benefits and more stringent standards for qualification have been announced regarding the Inbound Workers Regime. In addition, the Register of Beneficial Owners of enterprises with legal personality, private legal entities, trusts, and similar legal arrangements has become operational at local Italian Chamber of Commerce offices. Andrea Tavecchio, the Founder and Senior Partner of Tavecchio & Associati, Tax Advisers, Milan, and Alessandro Carovigno, a chartered accountant at Tavecchio & Associati, Tax Advisers, Milan, explain the revisions to the Inbound Workers Regime and the information that must be filed with the Beneficial Owner Register. They also address the persons obligated to file with the Register and the persons who have access to the information filed with the Register.

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Invoking M.F.N. Clause Under Indian Tax Treaties Requires Notification

Invoking M.F.N. Clause Under Indian Tax Treaties Requires Notification

India’s tax treaties with various countries mitigate double taxation and reduce the scope of taxable income or provide lower rates of withholding tax in certain cases. Some agreements include a most favoured nation (“M.F.N.”) clause. The clause allows the treaty partner country to import benefits from a subsequently signed Indian income tax treaty when certain conditions are met, most notably that the treaty partner country in the treaty subsequently signed is a member of the O.E.C.D. Opinions differed as to whether the M.F.N. clause is self-executing when a treaty partner country was not a member of the O.E.C.D. at the time its treaty with India is negotiated but subsequently becomes a member. Does the M.F.N. clause apply automatically or are there procedures to follow? Recently, the Supreme Court of India upheld the position of Indian tax authorities that an M.F.N. clause is not self-executing and that an M.F.N. clause properly looks only to the list of O.E.C.D. member states at the time the earlier treaty was signed. Sakate Khaitan, the Senior Partner of Khaitan Legal Associates, Mumbai, Abbas Jaorawala, a Senior Director and Head-Direct Tax of Khaitan Legal Associates, Mumbai, and Weindrila Sen, an associate of Khaitan Legal Associates, Mumbai explain all. Indian subsidiaries now face the risk of taxation, interest, and penalties for the past 10 years.

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Changes Announced to Dutch Entity Classification Rules and Tax Regimes for Funds

Changes Announced to  Dutch Entity Classification Rules and Tax Regimes for Funds

 In the Netherlands, the third Tuesday in September, known as Princes’ Day, marks the opening of the new parliamentary year. The budget for the coming year is announced, including an accompanying Tax Plan. The 2024 Tax Plan was presented by the sitting Dutch government, which is merely a caretaker until a new coalition is formed in November. This year, the Tax Plan contains provisions that will have a significant impact on businesses and financial institutions, particularly in relation to Dutch investment institutions. One major goal is to simplify the tax characterization of various entities to eliminate the opportunity of planning through hybrid entities. The distinction between open and closed C.V.’s is eliminated. The possibility of planning for an F.G.R. to be opaque or transparent is mostly eliminated, but for those F.G.R.’s that adopt the redemption method as the exclusive means of disinvesting in a fund. Where transparent, an F.G.R. will not be eligible to benefit from the V.B.I. regime for collective investment vehicles and its 0% rate of tax. Paul Kraan, a tax partner at Van Campen Liem in Amsterdam, explains all, and advises that the general consensus in the Netherlands is that the legislative process should continue, having been subject to public consultation previously.

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Regulating the Issuance of A.P.A.’s in Greece

Regulating the Issuance of  A.P.A.’s in Greece

Advance Pricing Agreements (“A.P.A.’s”) regarding intercompany transactions have been issued in Greece for several years. In late July, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue introduced new procedural and timeline-related modifications, aligning the A.P.A. procedure in Greece with global standards. In her article, Natalia Skoulidou, a partner of the Iason Skouzos Law Firm, Athens, addresses new rules for (i) pre-submission consultations, (ii) procedures to be followed when applying for an A.P.A., (iii) the content of the information that must be submitted, (iv) the taxpayer’s A.P.A. history in other countries, (iv) the disclosure of key assumptions on which the proposed pricing method is based, (v) the ability to roll back the methodology to open years, and (vi) revisions, revocation, or cancellation of the A.P.A. 

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British Virgin Islands Economic Substance Requirements

British Virgin Islands Economic Substance Requirements

Just as water flows downhill, action to prevent aggressive tax planning flows from (i) the O.E.C.D. in its B.E.P.S. Action Plan, especially Action 5 applicable to no or nominal tax jurisdictions (“N.T.J.’s”) to (ii) the E.U. Code of Conduct Group (“C.O.C.G.”), in its scoping paper identifying nine relevant activities and economic substance criteria for N.T.J.’s to avoid the E.U. blacklist, to (iii) the N.T.J.’s, themselves, in steps taken to police economic substance requirements of local law. The B.V.I. heard the message and has implemented a robust information reporting system for relevant entities. In their article, Joshua Mangeot, a partner in the B.V.I. office of Harneys and Kiril Pehlivanov, a member of the investment funds and regulatory team in the B.V.I office of Harneys, explain the effect of the B.V.I. economic substance regime on companies and limited partnerships registered in the B.V.I. and provide practical guidance for compliance and reporting.

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Singapore: Tax on Disposal of Foreign Assets

Singapore: Tax on Disposal of Foreign Assets

During the summer, the Singapore Ministry of Finance released a proposal calling for the imposition of tax on the receipt in Singapore of proceeds of gains arising from the sale or disposal of foreign assets. When effective in 2024, the proposal will align Singapore law to guidance on economic substance prepared by the E.U. C.O.C.G. Unless prescribed or excepted, the proposal applies to all companies and limited liability partnerships resident in Singapore. In his article, Sanjay Iyer, the founder of Silicon Advisers, based in Singapore, explains the workings of the tax, including (i) entities that are within scope, (ii) entities that are not within scope, (iii) the definition of foreign assets, (iv) the circumstances in which proceeds are considered to be received in Singapore, and (vi) the ability to use losses from the sale of foreign assets to reduce the amount of foreign gain that is taxed on remittance to Singapore.

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The Pour-Over Clause In A Cross-Border Context

The Pour-Over Clause In A Cross-Border Context

With all the career and job opportunities available, many Canadians and Americans choose to cross the border to pursue new goals. Providing trust and estate planning advice to Canadians living in the United States and Americans living in Canada is no longer a rare situation. Where an individual has spent part of his life in one country and part in the other, his will and power of attorney may have been executed in one country but not amended following the arrival in the other country. This can pose problems when an estate plan crafted to meet U.S. rules is applied to a U.S. citizen that relocated to Canada and remained in Canada for the balance of his life. Caroline Rheaume, a member of the Quebec Bar, focuses on pour-over provisions in trusts, frequently used by U.S. estate planners, but which encounter enforceability problems in several Canadian provinces. The takeaway is simple. When in Canada do as the Canadians do, or your legatees may find that you died intestate.

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Effect of Ruling No. 288/2023 – Italian Anti-Hybrid Rules Attack the 2020 Swiss Corporate Tax Reform

Effect of Ruling No. 288/2023 – Italian Anti-Hybrid Rules Attack the 2020 Swiss Corporate Tax Reform

Sometimes, anti-abuse provisions are applied by tax authorities because of what happened in the past, not the present, much like a classic vendetta. This is what happened to an Italian subsidiary of a Swiss company that benefitted from the principal company regime in Switzerland. That regime presumed the existence of a deemed P.E. outside of Switzerland and the allocation of profit to the deemed P.E. The regime was repealed with effect as of January 1, 2020, and replaced by a relatively normal tax regime, with one specific transition rule. The Swiss parent was entitled to a tax-free step-up in the goodwill of the deemed P.E. which could be amortized over 10 years, allowing a tax benefit for the Swiss company. In April of this year, the Italian tax authorities issued tax ruling no. 288/2023 to an Italian subsidiary of a Swiss company that previously benefitted from the principal company regime. It now was taxed under Swiss law in a straightforward way, but with the amortization benefit. In the ruling, the Italian tax authorities determined that the amortization deduction constituted a hybrid mismatch because the goodwill was not purchased. The result is that the Italian subsidiary cannot reduce sales by the related cost of inventory purchased from its Swiss parent. Federico Di Cesare, a Partner of Macchi di Cellere Gangemi, and Dimitra Michalopoulos, an Associate in the tax practice of Macchi di Cellere Gangemi explain the basis of the ruling and strongly suggest that it is not grounded on the existing provisions of the Italian anti-hybrid rules. Sounds like classical vendetta in the context of the A.T.A.D.

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Economic Substance: Views From the U.S., Europe, and the B.V.I., Cayman, and Nevis

Economic Substance: Views From the U.S., Europe, and the B.V.I., Cayman, and Nevis

Like concepts of beauty, the presence or absence of economic substance in the tax context often is in the eye of the beholder. More importantly, economic substance means different things to tax authorities in different jurisdictions and the approaches in taxpayer obligations varies widely. This article looks at the concept of economic substance in three separate localities. Stanley C. Ruchelman and Wooyoung Lee look at the U.S., addressing case law establishing the requirement and the 2010 codification of the concept into the tax code. Werner Heyvaert, a partner in the Brussels Office of AKD Benelux Lawyers, and Vicky Sheik Mohammad, an associate in the Brussels Office of AKD Benelux Lawyers, look at the Danish Cases that establish an abuse of rights view for aggressive tax planning – the taxpayer abused rights granted to it by E.U. law – and the Unshell Directive designed to remove certain tax benefits from shell companies. David Payne, Global Head of Governance for Bolder Group, looks at the self-certification rules that have been adopted in the B.V.I., Cayman, and Nevis.

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Bittersweet Christmas in Spain – Beckham Regime 2.0 and Solidarity Tax

Bittersweet Christmas in Spain – Beckham Regime 2.0 and Solidarity Tax

Last year, Christmas in Spain brought with it good news for some individuals and bad news for others. Regarding the good news, the Beckham Regime was improved as was the start-up ecosystem regime for entrepreneurs. Regarding the bad news, Spain adopted a second wealth tax to soak up wealth tax that appropriately went unpaid where certain regions provided relief for assets situated in the local region. Spanish residents that previously paid no Wealth tax will be subject to the Solidarity tax. Luis J. Durá Garcia, the Managing Partner of Durá Tax & Legal, Madrid and Valencia, tells all.

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French Tax Residence, Income Tax Treaties and Newcomers Regimes: Where Does France Stand?

French Tax Residence, Income Tax Treaties and Newcomers Regimes: Where Does France Stand?

The determination of an individual’s tax residence is a delicate exercise, combining a review of factual elements in light of different sets of criteria and rules. Most jurisdictions other than the U.S. impose tax solely on the basis of residence. Hence, a definition of tax residence is required. French domestic tax law adopts a single definition of tax residence for personal income and inheritance taxes, relying on several alternative criteria. The matter of residence also can be looked at under a relevant income tax treaty. France has in effect a network of more than 120 income tax treaties. Michaël Khayat, a Partner of the Arkwood Law Firm, Paris, and Edouard Girard, an Associate of the Arkwood Law Firm, Paris, explain the criteria for determining tax residence under French domestic tax law and to resolve a dual resident situation under the O.E.C.D. Model Income Tax Treaty. They then address recent cases under which tax authorities challenged application of an income tax treaty for an individual claiming benefits under a favorable newcomer regime in a treaty partner jurisdiction.

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A.T.A.D.3 and How to Deal With Uncertainty in its Interpretation: A Quantitative Approach

A.T.A.D.3 and How to Deal With Uncertainty in its Interpretation:  A Quantitative Approach

A.T.A.D.3 adds a layer of complexity to an increasingly complex tax world. To illustrate, the rules under the Unshell Directive appear clear, but are nothing short of ambiguous. Moreover, certain elements of the A.T.A.D.3 analysis depend heavily on the facts and circumstances of the case, which often are not binary. Many questions are raised, and the answers affect the way operations will be carried out. Is an entity affected by A.T.A.D.3? What is A.T.A.D.3’s expected impact on a structure? Should an entity report as a shell entity in its tax return? Can a position be improved and is it worthwhile to do so? Firm answers do not come easily and nuanced responses by advisers often mean one thing to the adviser and another thing to the client. In their article, Stephan Kraan and Mark van Casteren, Partners in Huygens Quantitative Tax Consulting, Amsterdam, suggest that the proper approach involves quantitative analysis rather than qualitative advice. The goal is to adopt a statistical approach to evaluate potential results based on probability. At that point, rational decisions can be made by management and advisers. It is a fascinating read.

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Tax Issues for Remote Workers and Their Swiss Employers

Tax Issues for Remote Workers and Their Swiss Employers

While COVID-19 had a profound effect on remote working in various countries, Switzerland has long experience with one form of remoter worker – the daily commuter across national borders. Surrounded on three sides by Italy, France, and Germany, Switzerland has negotiated several tax agreements with its neighbors that split the income tax pie and address social security coverage. Some agreements have national coverage, while others have local coverage affecting only the cantons and municipalities that straddle a specific international frontier. The stakes are high for a Swiss employer as the income tax rates and the social security charges can vary dramatically based on which country is allocated the right to tax. Thierry Boitelle, the founder of Boitelle Tax Sàrl, Geneva, and Sarah Meriguet, a Senior Tax Attorney at Boitelle Tax Sàrl, Geneva, explain all.

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Teleworking From Bulgaria: Different Arrangements Have Different Consequences

Teleworking From Bulgaria: Different Arrangements Have Different  Consequences

Bulgaria has benefitted as a preferred remote working location for digital businesses. While it does not have a digital nomad visa for work, it has a cadre of skilled individuals working as computer engineers available to be employed by foreign based multinationals. In their article, Viara M. Todorova, a Partner of Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov, Sofia, and Ivan Punev, a Senior Associate at Djingov, Gouginski, Kyutchukov & Velichkov, Sofia explain the specific tax issues that face a foreign company looking to engage local talent to carry on functions from Bulgaria. Several different arrangements are common, and each has its own set of employment tax obligations for the service provider and the company. Adding to the mix, the threshold of activity in Bulgaria that creates a P.E. is relatively low and the choice of arrangement can affect the outcome.

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Telecommuting: Good Intentions, Bad Outcome

Telecommuting: Good Intentions, Bad Outcome

In 2017, the O.E.C.D. stated that the question of whether a home office constitutes a P.E. is rarely a practical issue because the majority of employees reside in the state where their employer has an office. Although that observation was undoubtedly accurate at the time, today it is safe to say that it did not age well. Paul Kraan, a Partner of Van Campen Liem, Attorneys and Tax Advisers, Amsterdam, and Mitchell Karman, an associate at Van Campen Liem, Attorneys and Tax Advisers, Amsterdam, explain the international tax implications of remote workers from a corporate income tax perspective, based on the O.E.C.D. Model Convention framework. Not surprisingly they point out ways in which the current framework arguably does not result in a desirable outcome. The article concludes with several recommendations.

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Let's Talk About Nomad Employees!

Let's Talk About Nomad Employees!

Over the years, a consensus developed overseas that the U.S. doeEmployees working from overseas is hardly a new phenomenon. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced employees to work remotely. Indeed, some were forced to work abroad under lockdown or shelter-in-place rules. Not surprisingly, remote working morphed into nomad employees choosing to work from anywhere, any place, in any time zone. The hiring of remote employees brings with it exposure to all sorts of remote taxes for the employer in each place where a remote worker is based. Is there a P.E. for corporate income tax? Is there a fixed base for V.A.T.? Are there income tax withholding obligations for compensation payments? Are there social security obligations? Martin Phelan, a Partner in the Dublin Office of Simmons & Simmons where he is Head of Tax, and Fiachra Ó Raghallaigh, an Associate in the Dublin Office of Simmons & Simmons, provide big picture commentary. Interestingly, the United Nations Tax Committee is examining the policy issues that face nations and employers.

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Removing the Cloak: the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021 — New U.S. Legislation Targeting Global Corruption

Removing the Cloak: the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021 — New U.S. Legislation Targeting Global Corruption

Over the years, a consensus developed overseas that the U.S. does not adhere to international beneficial ownership reporting standards. The U.S. is a member of the Financial Action Task Force, but did little to adopt the Task Force’s recommendations. Beginning in 2016, steps have been taken in the U.S. to change the view overseas. First, FinCEN adopted regulations requiring U.S. financial institutions to determine the natural persons who are the beneficial owners of accounts.  This was followed by the adoption of the Corporate Transparency Act of 2021 (“C.T.A.”) in 2021. The purpose of the C.T.A. is to create a national database of information regarding individuals who directly or indirectly hold substantial control over, or own a substantial interest in, certain domestic or foreign legal entities. Recently, final regulations were published that implement the reporting obligations of the C.T.A. In her article, Bari Zahn, the founding partner of Zahn Law Group, L.L.P. in New York City, provides a detailed explanation of who must report, whose information must be reported, and when the reporting will begin. 

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