November 30, 2017

O.E.C.D. Releases Mutual Agreement Procedure Peer Review Report for the U.S.

November 30, 2017/ Web Developer

The B.E.P.S. Action 14 Report, Making Dispute Resolution Mechanisms More Effective, acknowledged that the actions to counter B.E.P.S. must be complemented with effective dispute resolution mechanisms. Participating countries agreed to have their compliance with the minimum standard reviewed by their peers. The U.S. is among the first few countries that have been reviewed. Neha Rastogi and Michael Peggs summarize the M.A.P. report card issued for the U.S.

May 23, 2016

Insights Vol. 3. No. 5: B.E.P.S. Around The World

May 23, 2016/ Ruchelman P.L.L.C.

Kenneth Lobo and Stanley C. Ruchelman look at recent happenings in the world of B.E.P.S. Items covered include (i) recent decisions of the Canada Revenue Agency regarding tax rulings that will be exchanged automatically with other countries, (ii) I.R.S. consideration of accepting early CbC reports from U.S.-based groups, (iii) multilateral procedures to deal with the expected flood of mutual agreement requests arising from double taxation claims when B.E.P.S.-generated taxation claims begin to appear, and (iv) the emerging need for B.E.P.S. compliance officers in multinational groups.

March 31, 2016

2016 Model Treaty – Mandatory Arbitration

March 31, 2016/ Ruchelman P.L.L.C.

On February 17, 2016, the Treasury Department released its 2016 Model Treaty. The model serves as the baseline from which the U.S. initiates treaty negotiations. Various provisions are discussed in detail in this month’s Insights.

Taking a cue from the U.S.-Canada Income Tax Treaty, the 2016 Model Treaty provides for mandatory arbitration as part of the article on Mutual Agreement Procedure. I.R.S. statistics indicate that under the Canadian treaty 80% of cases were resolved by the competent authorities in lieu of risking an adverse decision through arbitration. Kenneth Lobo explains the revised provision and places it in context.

March 31, 2016

U.S. Treasury Announces New U.S. Model Income Tax Treaty

March 31, 2016/ Ruchelman P.L.L.C.

January 15, 2015

B.E.P.S. Action 14: Make Dispute Resolution Mechanisms More Effective

January 15, 2015/ Web Developer

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INTRODUCTION

The O.E.C.D. has continued to publish discussion drafts under its 15-part action plan (the “B.E.P.S. Action Plan”) for combatting base erosion and profit shifting (“B.E.P.S.”), with Action 14 being the most unique.

Action 14, entitled “Make Dispute Resolution Mechanisms More Effective,” provides as follows:

Develop solutions to address obstacles that prevent countries from solving treaty-related disputes under MAP, including the absence of arbitration provisions in most treaties and the fact that access to MAP and arbitration may be denied in certain cases.

While most components of the B.E.P.S. Action Plan address the problems caused by base erosion and profit shifting, the recently proposed discussion draft for Action 14 (“Discussion Draft” or “Draft”) addresses the mutual agreement procedures (“M.A.P.”) used to resolve treaty-related disputes. Action 14 addresses the current obstacles faced by taxpayers seeking M.A.P. relief to avoid economic double taxation and provides suggestions as to how to revise provisions in order to improve the integration of M.A.P. dispute resolution mechanisms. The O.E.C.D. describes it as a unique opportunity to overcome traditional obstacles and to provide effective relief through M.A.P. The Discussion Draft proposes complementary solutions that are intended to have a practical and measurable impact, rather than merely providing additional guidance which may not be followed.