International taxation

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Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. International taxation is the study or determination of tax on a person or business subject to the tax laws of different countries or the international aspects of an individual country's tax laws as the case may be. Governments usually limit the scope of their income taxation in some manner territorially or provide for offsets to taxation relating to extraterritorial income. The manner of limitation generally takes the form of a territorial, residency, or exclusionary system. Some governments have attempted to mitigate the differing limitations of each of these three broad systems by enacting a hybrid system with characteristics of two or more.

Many governments tax individuals and/or enterprises on income. Such systems of taxation vary widely, and there are no broad general rules. These variations create the potential for double taxation (where the same income is taxed by different countries) and no taxation (where income is not taxed by any country). Income tax systems may impose tax on local income only or on worldwide income. Generally, where worldwide income is taxed, reductions of tax or foreign credits are provided for taxes paid to other jurisdictions. Limits are almost universally imposed on such credits. Multinational corporations usually employ international tax specialists, a specialty among both lawyers and accountants, to decrease their worldwide tax liabilities.

With any system of taxation, it is possible to shift or recharacterize income in a manner that reduces taxation. Jurisdictions often impose rules relating to shifting income among commonly controlled parties, often referred to as transfer pricing rules. Residency based systems are subject to taxpayer attempts to defer recognition of income through use of related parties. A few jurisdictions impose rules limiting such deferral ("anti-deferral" regimes). Deferral is also specifically authorized by some governments for particular social purposes or other grounds. Agreements among governments (treaties) often attempt to determine who should be entitled to tax what. Most tax treaties provide for at least a skeleton mechanism for resolution of disputes between the parties.

Introduction

Systems of taxation vary among governments, making generalization difficult. Specifics are intended as examples, and relate to particular governments and not broadly recognized multinational rules. Taxes may be levied on varying measures of income, including but not limited to net income under local accounting concepts (in many countries this is referred to as 'profit'), gross receipts, gross margins (sales less costs of sale), or specific categories of receipts less specific categories of reductions. Unless otherwise specified, the term "income" should be read broadly.

Jurisdictions often impose different income based levies on enterprises than on individuals. Entities are often taxed in a unified manner on all types of income while individuals are taxed in differing manners depending on the nature or source of the income. Many jurisdictions impose tax at both an entity level and at the owner level on one or more types of enterprises.[1] These jurisdictions often rely on the company law of that jurisdiction or other jurisdictions in determining whether an entity's owners are to be taxed directly on the entity income. However, there are notable exceptions, including U.S. rules characterizing entities independently of legal form.[2]

In order to simplify administration or for other agendas, some governments have imposed "deemed" income regimes. These regimes tax some class of taxpayers according to tax system applicable to other taxpayers but based on a deemed level of income, as if earned by the taxpayer. Disputes can arise regarding what levy is proper. Procedures for dispute resolution vary widely and enforcement issues are far more complicated in the international arena. The ultimate dispute resolution for a taxpayer is to leave the jurisdiction, taking all property that could be seized. For governments, the ultimate resolution may be confiscation of property, incarceration or dissolution of the entity.

Other major conceptual differences can exist between tax systems. These include, but are not limited to, assessment vs. self-assessment means of determining and collecting tax; methods of imposing sanctions for violation; sanctions unique to international aspects of the system; mechanisms for enforcement and collection of tax; and reporting mechanisms.

Taxation systems

Systems of taxation on personal income
  No income tax on individuals
  Territorial
  Residential
  Citizenship-based

Countries that tax income generally use one of two systems: territorial or residential. In the territorial system, only local income – income from a source inside the country – is taxed. In the residential system, residents of the country are taxed on their worldwide (local and foreign) income, while nonresidents are taxed only on their local income. In addition, a very small number of countries, notably the United States, also tax their nonresident citizens on worldwide income.

Countries with a residential system of taxation usually allow deductions or credits for the tax that residents already pay to other countries on their foreign income. Many countries also sign tax treaties with each other to eliminate or reduce double taxation. In the case of corporate income tax, some countries allow an exclusion or deferment of specific items of foreign income from the base of taxation.

Individuals

The following table summarizes the taxation of local and foreign income of individuals, depending on their residence or citizenship in the country. It includes 244 entries: 194 sovereign countries, their 40 inhabited dependent territories (most of which have separate tax systems), and 10 countries with limited recognition.

Taxes local
income of
Taxes foreign
income of
Country or territory Notes and sources
nonresident
individuals
resident
citizens
resident
foreigners
resident
citizens
resident
foreigners
nonresident
citizens
 Bahamas no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Bahrain no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Bermuda no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 British Virgin Islands no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Brunei no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Cayman Islands no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Kuwait no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Maldives no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Monaco no no no no no no No personal income tax.[4]
 Nauru no no no no no no No personal income tax.[5]
 Norfolk Island no no no no no no No personal income tax.[6]
 Oman no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Pitcairn Islands no no no no no no No personal income tax.[7]
 Qatar no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Saint Barthelemy no no no no no no No personal income tax.[8][Note 1]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis no no no no no no No personal income tax.[11]
 Somalia no no no no no no No personal income tax.[12]
 Turks and Caicos Islands no no no no no no No personal income tax.[13]
 United Arab Emirates no no no no no no No personal income tax.[3]
 Vanuatu no no no no no no No personal income tax.[14]
  Vatican City no no no no no no No personal income tax.[15]
 Wallis and Futuna no no no no no no No personal income tax.[16]
 Western Sahara no no no no no no No personal income tax.[17]
 Angola yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Anguilla yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[18]
 Bhutan yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[19]
 Botswana yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Costa Rica yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Democratic Republic of the Congo yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Djibouti yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[20]
 French Polynesia yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[21]
 Georgia yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Gibraltar yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[22]
 Guatemala yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Hong Kong yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Lebanon yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Macau yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Malawi yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Malaysia yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Marshall Islands yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[23]
 Micronesia yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[24]
 Namibia yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Nicaragua yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Palau yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[25]
 Palestinian Authority yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Panama yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Paraguay yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Saint Helena yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[26]
 San Marino yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[27]
 Seychelles yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Singapore yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Somaliland yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[28]
 Syria yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Tokelau yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[29]
 Tuvalu yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[30]
 Zambia yes yes yes no no no Territorial taxation.[3]
 Cuba no yes yes yes no no Residential taxation of citizens, territorial taxation of foreigners. Does not tax nonresidents.[31][32]
 Philippines yes yes yes yes no no Residential taxation of citizens, territorial taxation of foreigners.[3]
 Saudi Arabia yes yes yes yes no no Residential taxation of citizens, territorial taxation of foreigners.[3][Note 2]
 North Korea yes no yes no yes no Residential taxation of foreigners, territorial taxation of nonresidents.[33] Does not tax income of resident citizens.[34]
 Abkhazia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[35]
 Afghanistan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Akrotiri and Dhekelia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[36]
 Albania yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Algeria yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[37]
 American Samoa yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[38]
 Andorra yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[39]
 Antigua and Barbuda yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[40]
 Argentina yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Armenia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Aruba yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Australia, including:[6]
 Christmas Island
 Cocos Islands
yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Austria yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Azerbaijan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Bangladesh yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[41]
 Barbados yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Belarus yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Belgium yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Belize yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[42]
 Benin yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[43]
 Bolivia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Bosnia and Herzegovina yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[44]
 Brazil yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Bulgaria yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Burkina Faso yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[45]
 Burundi yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[46]
 Cambodia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Cameroon yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Canada yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Cape Verde yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[47]
 Central African Republic yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[48]
 Chad yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[49]
 Chile yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 China yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3][50][51]
 Colombia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Comoros yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[52]
 Congo yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Cook Islands yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[53]
 Côte d'Ivoire yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Croatia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Curaçao yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Cyprus yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Czech Republic yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Denmark yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Dominica yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[54]
 Dominican Republic yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 East Timor yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[55]
 Ecuador yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Egypt yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 El Salvador yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Equatorial Guinea yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Estonia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Ethiopia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Falkland Islands yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[56]
 Faroe Islands yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[57]
 Fiji yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Finland, including:[58]
 Åland
yes yes yes yes yes no* Residential taxation.[3]
* except former residents, temporarily
 France yes yes yes yes yes no* Residential taxation.[3]
* except in Monaco
 Gabon yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Gambia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[59]
 Germany yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Ghana yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation. Foreign income of residents is taxed only if it is moved to Ghana.[3]
 Greece yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Greenland yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[60]
 Grenada yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[61]
 Guam yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Guernsey yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Guinea-Bissau yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[62]
 Guinea yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Guyana yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[63]
 Haiti yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[64]
 Honduras yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Hungary yes yes yes yes yes no* Residential taxation.[3]
* with another nationality or tax treaty
 Iceland yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 India yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Indonesia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Iran yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[65]
 Iraq yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Ireland yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Isle of Man yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Israel yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Italy yes yes yes yes yes no* Residential taxation.[3]
* except in tax havens
 Jamaica yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Japan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Jersey yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Jordan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Kazakhstan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Kenya yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Kiribati yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[66]
 Kosovo yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[67]
 Kyrgyzstan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[68]
 Laos yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Latvia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Lesotho yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Liberia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[69]
 Libya yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Liechtenstein yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Lithuania yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Luxembourg yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Macedonia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Madagascar yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Mali yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[70]
 Malta yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Mauritania yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Mauritius yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Mexico yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Moldova yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Mongolia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[71]
 Montenegro yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Montserrat yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[72]
 Morocco yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Mozambique yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Myanmar yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[73]
 Nagorno-Karabakh yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[74]
   Nepal yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[75]
 Netherlands yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 New Caledonia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[76]
 New Zealand yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Niger yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[77]
 Nigeria yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Niue yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[78]
 Northern Cyprus yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[79]
 Northern Mariana Islands yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Norway yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Pakistan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Papua New Guinea yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Peru yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Poland yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Portugal yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Puerto Rico yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Romania yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Russia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Rwanda yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Saint Lucia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[80]
 Saint Martin yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[81][Note 3]
 Saint Pierre and Miquelon yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[83]
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[84]
 Samoa yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[85]
 São Tomé and Príncipe yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[86]
 Senegal yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Serbia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Sierra Leone yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[87]
 Sint Maarten yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Slovakia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Slovenia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Solomon Islands yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[88]
 South Africa yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 South Korea yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 South Ossetia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[89]
 South Sudan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[90]
 Spain yes yes yes yes yes no* Residential taxation.[3]
* except in tax havens, temporarily
 Sri Lanka yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Sudan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[91]
 Suriname yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[92]
 Svalbard yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[93]
 Swaziland yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Sweden yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
  Switzerland yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Taiwan yes yes yes yes yes no Territorial taxation in general, but residential taxation under the alternative minimum tax.[3]
 Tajikistan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[94]
 Tanzania yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Thailand yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Togo yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[95]
 Tonga yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[96]
 Transnistria yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[97]
 Trinidad and Tobago yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Tunisia yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Turkey yes yes yes yes yes no* Residential taxation.[98]
* except income not taxed by other countries of employees of Turkish government or companies
 Turkmenistan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[99]
 Uganda yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Ukraine yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 United Kingdom yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 United States Virgin Islands yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Uruguay yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Uzbekistan yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Venezuela yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Vietnam yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Yemen yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[100]
 Zimbabwe yes yes yes yes yes no Residential taxation.[3]
 Eritrea yes yes yes yes yes yes Residential and citizenship-based taxation.[101] Foreign income of nonresident citizens is taxed at a reduced flat rate.[102]
 United States yes yes yes yes yes yes Residential and citizenship-based taxation. Citizens are taxed in the same manner as residents.[3]

Residency

Residential systems face the daunting tasks of defining "resident" and characterizing the income of nonresidents. Such definitions vary by country and type of taxpayer, but usually involve the location of the person's main home and number of days the person is physically present in the country. Examples include:

  • The United States taxes its citizens as residents, and provides lengthy, detailed rules for individual residency of foreigners, covering:
    • Periods establishing residency (including a formulary calculation involving three years);
    • Start and end date of residency;
    • Exceptions for transitory visits, medical conditions, etc.[103]
  • The United Kingdom establishes three categories: non-resident, resident, and resident but not ordinarily resident.[104]
  • Switzerland residency may be established by having a permit to be employed in Switzerland for an individual who is so employed.[105]

Territorial systems usually tax local income regardless of the residence of the taxpayer. The key problem argued for this type of system is the ability to avoid taxation on portable income by moving it outside of the country. This has led governments to enact hybrid systems to recover lost revenue.

Citizenship

Almost all countries tax foreign income only of residents, if at all. Only two countries tax the worldwide income of nonresidents who are citizens of the country:[106][107]

  •  The United States taxes its citizens and resident foreigners on their worldwide income, and nonresident foreigners on their local income. US citizens residing in other countries may exclude some of their foreign income from US taxation, and take credit for income tax paid to other countries, but they must file a US tax return to claim the exclusion or credit even if they result in no tax liability.[112] "US persons" abroad, like US residents, are also subject to various reporting requirements regarding foreign finances, such as FBAR, FATCA, and IRS forms 3520, 5471, 8621 and 8938. The penalties for failure to file these forms on time are often much higher than the penalties for not paying the tax itself.[113][114][115][116]

A few other countries tax based on citizenship in limited situations:

  •  Finland continues taxing its citizens who move from Finland to another country as residents of Finland, for the first three years after moving there, unless they demonstrate that they no longer have any ties to Finland. After this period, they are no longer considered residents of Finland for tax purposes.[117]
  •  France taxes its citizens who reside in Monaco as residents of France, according to a treaty signed between the two countries in 1963.[9] However, in 2014, the French supreme administrative court ruled that the treaty only applies to those who actually moved to Monaco, so French citizens by descent who were born and have always lived in Monaco, who form the vast majority of the French citizens in Monaco,[118] would not be subject to taxation as residents of France. The decision is awaiting implementation by the fiscal administration.[119] Other than this case, France does not tax the foreign income of its nonresident citizens.
  •  Hungary taxes its nonresident citizens as residents of Hungary, unless they also have another nationality or reside in a country which has a tax treaty with Hungary.[120][121][Note 4]
  •  Italy continues taxing its citizens who move from Italy to a tax haven[Note 5] as residents of Italy, unless they demonstrate that they no longer have any ties to Italy.[125] Other than this case, Italy does not tax the foreign income of its nonresident citizens.
  •  Spain continues taxing its citizens who move from Spain to a tax haven[Note 6] as residents of Spain, for the first five years after moving there. After this period, they are no longer considered residents of Spain for tax purposes.[126] Other than this case, Spain does not tax the foreign income of its nonresident citizens.
  •  Turkey taxes its citizens who are residing abroad to work for the Turkish government or Turkish companies as residents of Turkey, but exempts their income that is already taxed by the country where it is earned.[98] Other than this case, Turkey does not tax the foreign income of its nonresident citizens.

A few other countries used to tax the foreign income of nonresident citizens, but have abolished this practice:

  •  Mexico used to tax its citizens in the same manner as residents, on worldwide income. A new income tax law, passed in 1980 and effective 1981, determined only residence as the basis for taxation of worldwide income.[127]
  •  The Soviet Union used to tax its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they resided.[128] After the country was dissolved in 1991, none of its successor states kept taxation based on citizenship, using instead residence as the basis for taxation of worldwide income, or taxing only local income.
  •  Bulgaria used to tax its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they resided.[129] A new income tax law, passed in 1997 and effective 1998, determined residence as the basis for taxation of worldwide income.[130]
  •  The Philippines used to tax the foreign income of nonresident citizens at reduced rates of 1 to 3% (income tax rates for residents were 1 to 35% at the time).[131] It abolished this practice in a new revenue code in 1997, effective 1998.[132]
  •  Vietnam used to tax its citizens in the same manner as residents, on worldwide income. The country passed a personal income tax law in 2007, effective 2009, removing citizenship as a criterion to determine residence.[133]
  •  Myanmar used to tax the foreign income of its nonresident citizens at a flat rate of 10% (income tax rates for residents range from 3 to 40%). As part of a series of reforms, the country abolished this practice in 2011, effective 2012.[134]

Corporations

Countries do not necessarily use the same system of taxation for individuals and corporations. For example, France uses a residential system for individuals but a territorial system for corporations,[135] while Singapore does the opposite,[136] and Brunei taxes corporate but not personal income.[137]

Exclusion

Many systems provide for specific exclusions from taxable (chargeable) income. For example, several countries, notably Cyprus, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Spain, have enacted holding company regimes that exclude from income dividends from certain foreign subsidiaries of corporations. These systems generally impose tax on other sorts of income, such as interest or royalties, from the same subsidiaries. They also typically have requirements for portion and time of ownership in order to qualify for exclusion. The Netherlands offers a "participation exemption" for dividends from subsidiaries of Netherlands companies. Dividends from all Dutch subsidiaries automatically qualify. For other dividends to qualify, the Dutch shareholder or affiliates must own at least 5% and the subsidiary must be subject to a certain level of income tax locally.[138]

Some countries, such as the United States and Singapore,[139] allow deferment of tax on foreign income of resident corporations until it is remitted to the country.

Individuals versus enterprises

Many tax systems tax individuals in one manner and entities that are not considered fiscally transparent in another. The differences may be as simple as differences in tax rates,[140] and are often motivated by concerns unique to either individuals or corporations. For example, many systems allow taxable income of an individual to be reduced by a fixed amount allowance for other persons supported by the individual (dependents). Such a concept is not relevant for enterprises.

Many systems allow for fiscal transparency of certain forms of enterprise. For example, most countries tax partners of a partnership, rather than the partnership itself, on income of the partnership.[141] A common feature of income taxation is imposition of a levy on certain enterprises in certain forms followed by an additional levy on owners of the enterprise upon distribution of such income. For example, the U.S. imposes two levels of tax on foreign individuals or foreign corporations who own a U.S. corporation. First, the U.S. corporation is subject to the regular income tax on its profits, then subject to an additional 30% tax on the dividends paid to foreign shareholders (the branch profits tax). The foreign corporation will be subject to U.S. income tax on its effectively connected income, and will also be subject to the branch profits tax on any of its profits not reinvested in the U.S.[citation needed] Thus, many countries tax corporations under company tax rules and tax individual shareholders upon corporate distributions. Various countries have tried (and some still maintain) attempts at partial or full "integration" of the enterprise and owner taxation. Where a two level system is present but allows for fiscal transparency of some entities, definitional issues become very important.

Source of income

Determining the source of income is of critical importance in a territorial system, as source often determines whether or not the income is taxed. For example, Hong Kong does not tax residents on dividend income received from a non-Hong Kong corporation.[142] Source of income is also important in residency systems that grant credits for taxes of other jurisdictions. Such credit is often limited either by jurisdiction or to the local tax on overall income from other jurisdictions.

Source of income is where the income is considered to arise under the relevant tax system. The manner of determining the source of income is generally dependent on the nature of income. Income from the performance of services (e.g., wages) is generally treated as arising where the services are performed.[143] Financing income (e.g., interest, dividends) is generally treated as arising where the user of the financing resides.[144][citation needed] Income related to use of tangible property (e.g., rents) is generally treated as arising where the property is situated.[145][citation needed] Income related to use of intangible property (e.g., royalties) is generally treated as arising where the property is used. Gains on sale of realty are generally treated as arising where the property is situated.

Gains from sale of tangible personal property are sourced differently in different jurisdictions. The U.S. treats such gains in three distinct manners: a) gain from sale of purchased inventory is sourced based on where title to the goods passes;[146] b) gain from sale of inventory produced by the person (or certain related persons) is sourced 50% based on title passage and 50% based on location of production and certain assets;[147] c) other gains are sourced based on the residence of the seller.[148]

In specific cases, the tax system may diverge for different categories of individuals. U.S. citizen and resident alien decedents are subject to estate tax on all of their assets, wherever situated. The nonresident aliens are subject to estate tax only on that part of the gross estate which at the time of death is situated in the U.S. Another significant distinction between U.S. citizens/RAs and NRAs is in the exemptions allowed in computing the tax liability.[149]

Where differing characterizations of an item of income can result in differing tax results, it is necessary to determine the characterization. Some systems have rules for resolving characterization issues, but in many cases resolution requires judicial intervention.[150] Note that some systems which allow a credit for foreign taxes source income by reference to foreign law.[151]

Definitions of income

Some jurisdictions tax net income as determined under financial accounting concepts of that jurisdiction, with few, if any, modifications.[citation needed] Other jurisdictions determine taxable income without regard to income reported in financial statements.[152] Some jurisdictions compute taxable income by reference to financial statement income with specific categories of adjustments, which can be significant.[153]

A jurisdiction relying on financial statement income tends to place reliance on the judgment of local accountants for determinations of income under locally accepted accounting principles. Often such jurisdictions have a requirement that financial statements be audited by registered accountants who must opine thereon.[154] Some jurisdictions extend the audit requirements to include opining on such tax issues as transfer pricing.[citation needed] Jurisdictions not relying on financial statement income must attempt to define principles of income and expense recognition, asset cost recovery, matching, and other concepts within the tax law. These definitional issues can become very complex. Some jurisdictions following this approach also require business taxpayers to provide a reconciliation of financial statement and taxable incomes.[155]

Deductions

Lua error in Module:Details at line 30: attempt to call field '_formatLink' (a nil value). Systems that allow a tax deduction of expenses in computing taxable income must provide for rules for allocating such expenses between classes of income. Such classes may be taxable versus non-taxable, or may relate to computations of credits for taxes of other systems (foreign taxes). A system which does not provide such rules is subject to manipulation by potential taxpayers. The manner of allocation of expenses varies. U.S. rules provide for allocation of an expense to a class of income if the expense directly relates to such class, and apportionment of an expense related to multiple classes. Specific rules are provided for certain categories of more fungible expenses, such as interest.[156] By their nature, rules for allocation and apportionment of expenses may become complex. They may incorporate cost accounting or branch accounting principles,[156] or may define new principles.

Thin capitalization

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Most jurisdictions provide that taxable income may be reduced by amounts expended as interest on loans. By contrast, most do not provide tax relief for distributions to owners.[157] Thus, an enterprise is motivated to finance its subsidiary enterprises through loans rather than capital. Many jurisdictions have adopted "thin capitalization" rules to limit such charges. Various approaches include limiting deductibility of interest expense to a portion of cash flow,[158] disallowing interest expense on debt in excess of a certain ratio,[citation needed] and other mechanisms.

Enterprise restructure

The organization or reorganization of portions of a multinational enterprise often gives rise to events that, absent rules to the contrary, may be taxable in a particular system. Most systems contain rules preventing recognition of income or loss from certain types of such events. In the simplest form, contribution of business assets to a subsidiary enterprise may, in certain circumstances, be treated as a nontaxable event.[159] Rules on structuring and restructuring tend to be highly complex.

Credits for taxes of other jurisdictions

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Systems that tax income earned outside the system's jurisdiction tend to provide for a unilateral credit or offset for taxes paid to other jurisdictions. Such other jurisdiction taxes are generally referred to within the system as "foreign" taxes. Tax treaties often require this credit. A credit for foreign taxes is subject to manipulation by planners if there are no limits, or weak limits, on such credit. Generally, the credit is at least limited to the tax within the system that the taxpayer would pay on income earned outside the jurisdiction.[160] The credit may be limited by category of income,[161] by other jurisdiction or country, based on an effective tax rate, or otherwise. Where the foreign tax credit is limited, such limitation may involve computation of taxable income from other jurisdictions. Such computations tend to rely heavily on the source of income and allocation of expense rules of the system.[162]

Withholding tax

Lua error in Module:Details at line 30: attempt to call field '_formatLink' (a nil value). Many jurisdictions require persons paying amounts to nonresidents to collect tax due from a nonresident with respect to certain income by withholding such tax from such payments and remitting the tax to the government.[163] Such levies are generally referred to as withholding taxes. These requirements are induced because of potential difficulties in collection of the tax from nonresidents. Withholding taxes are often imposed at rates differing from the prevailing income tax rates.[164] Further, the rate of withholding may vary by type of income or type of recipient.[165][166] Generally, withholding taxes are reduced or eliminated under income tax treaties (see below). Generally, withholding taxes are imposed on the gross amount of income, unreduced by expenses.[167] Such taxation provides for great simplicity of administration but can also reduce the taxpayer's awareness of the amount of tax being collected.[168]

Treaties

  OECD members
  Accession candidate countries
  Enhanced engagement countries
Ratio of German assets in tax havens to German GDP.[169] Havens in countries with tax information sharing allowing for compliance enforcement have been in decline. The "Big 7" shown are Hong Kong, Ireland, Lebanon, Liberia, Panama, Singapore, and Switzerland.

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Tax treaties exist between many countries on a bilateral basis to prevent double taxation (taxes levied twice on the same income, profit, capital gain, inheritance or other item). In some countries they are also known as double taxation agreements, double tax treaties, or tax information exchange agreements (TIEA).

Most developed countries have a large number of tax treaties, while developing countries are less well represented in the worldwide tax treaty network.[170] The United Kingdom has treaties with more than 110 countries and territories. The United States has treaties with 56 countries (as of February 2007). Tax treaties tend not to exist, or to be of limited application, when either party regards the other as a tax haven. There are a number of model tax treaties published by various national and international bodies, such as the United Nations and the OECD.[171]

Treaties tend to provide reduced rates of taxation on dividends, interest, and royalties. They tend to impose limits on each treaty country in taxing business profits, permitting taxation only in the presence of a permanent establishment in the country.[172] Treaties tend to impose limits on taxation of salaries and other income for performance of services. They also tend to have "tie breaker" clauses for resolving conflicts between residency rules. Nearly all treaties have at least skeletal mechanisms for resolving disputes, generally negotiated between the "competent authority" section of each country's taxing authority.

Anti-deferral measures

Residency systems may provide that residents are not subject to tax on income outside the jurisdiction until that income is remitted to the jurisdiction.[173] Taxpayers in such systems have significant incentives to shift income outside its borders. Depending on the rules of the system, the shifting may occur by changing the location of activities generating income or by shifting income to separate enterprises owned by the taxpayer. Most residency systems have avoided rules which permit deferring income from outside its borders without shifting it to a subsidiary enterprise due to the potential for manipulation of such rules. Where owners of an enterprise are taxed separately from the enterprise, portable income may be shifted from a taxpayer to a subsidiary enterprise to accomplish deferral or elimination of tax. Such systems tend to have rules to limit such deferral through controlled foreign corporations. Several different approaches have been used by countries for their anti-deferral rules.[174]

In the United States, rules provides that U.S. shareholders of a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) must include their shares of income or investment of E&P by the CFC in U.S. property.[175] U.S. shareholders are U.S. persons owning 10% or more (after the application of complex attribution of ownership rules) of a foreign corporation. Such persons may include individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates, and other juridical persons. A CFC is a foreign corporation more than 50% owned by U.S. shareholders. This income includes several categories of portable income, including most investment income, certain resale income, and certain services income. Certain exceptions apply, including the exclusion from Subpart F income of CFC income subject to an effective foreign tax rate of 90% or more of the top U.S. tax rate.[175]

The United Kingdom provides that a UK company is taxed currently on the income of its controlled subsidiary companies managed and controlled outside the UK which are subject to "low" foreign taxes.[176] Low tax is determined as actual tax of less than three-fourths of the corresponding UK tax that would be due on the income determined under UK principles. Complexities arise in computing the corresponding UK tax. Further, there are certain exceptions which may permit deferral, including a "white list" of permitted countries and a 90% earnings distribution policy of the controlled company. Further, anti-deferral does not apply where there is no tax avoidance motive.[177]

Rules in Germany provide that a German individual or company shareholder of a foreign corporation may be subject to current German tax on certain passive income earned by the foreign corporation. This provision applies if the foreign corporation is taxed at less than 25% of the passive income, as defined.[citation needed] Japan and some other countries have followed a "black list" approach, where income of subsidiaries in countries identified as tax havens is subject to current tax to the shareholder. Sweden has adopted a "white list" of countries in which subsidiaries may be organized so that the shareholder is not subject to current tax.

Transfer pricing

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The setting of the amount of related party charges is commonly referred to as transfer pricing. Many jurisdictions have become sensitive to the potential for shifting profits with transfer pricing, and have adopted rules regulating setting or testing of prices or allowance of deductions or inclusion of income for related party transactions. Many jurisdictions have adopted broadly similar transfer pricing rules. The OECD has adopted (subject to specific country reservations) fairly comprehensive guidelines.[178] These guidelines have been adopted with little modification by many countries.[179] Notably, the U.S. and Canada have adopted rules which depart in some material respects from OECD guidelines, generally by providing more detailed rules.

Arm's length principle: It is a key concept of most transfer pricing rules, that prices charged between related enterprises should be those which would be charged between unrelated parties dealing at arm's length. Most sets of rules prescribe methods for testing whether prices charged should be considered to meet this standard. Such rules generally involve comparison of related party transactions to similar transactions of unrelated parties (comparable prices or transactions). Various surrogates for such transactions may be allowed. Most guidelines allow the following methods for testing prices: Comparable uncontrolled transaction prices, resale prices based on comparable markups, cost plus a markup, and an enterprise profitability method.

Tax avoidance

Tax avoidance schemes may take advantage of low or no-income tax countries known as tax havens. Corporations may choose to move their headquarters to a country with more favorable tax environments. In countries where movement has been restricted by legislation, it might be necessary to reincorporate into a low-tax company through reversing a merger with a foreign corporation ("inversion" similar to a reverse merger). In addition, transfer pricing may allow for "earnings stripping" as profits are attributed to subsidiaries in low-tax countries.[180]

See also

Notes

  1. New residents of Saint Barthelemy are considered residents of France for tax purposes, for the first five years after moving there.[9] After this period, they become residents of Saint Barthelemy for tax purposes.[10]
  2. Saudi Arabia taxes nonresidents, as well as residents who are not citizens of the countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), only on their local income. Residents of Saudi Arabia who are citizens of these countries do not pay income tax, but pay mandatory zakat instead, calculated on their worldwide assets and some kinds of income.
  3. Residents of France who move to Saint Martin are not considered residents of Saint Martin for tax purposes, and continue to be taxed as residents of France, for the first five years after moving there.[9] After this period, they become residents of Saint Martin for tax purposes.[82]
  4. As of 2014, Hungary has tax treaties with the following countries and territories: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam. Hungary has also signed tax treaties with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.[122][123]
  5. As of 2010, the following countries and territories are considered tax havens by Italy: Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, French Polynesia, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey (including Alderney and Sark), Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jersey, Lebanon, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Monaco, Montserrat, Nauru, Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten), Niue, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Vanuatu.[124]
  6. As of 2015, the following countries and territories are considered tax havens by Spain: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Jordan, Lebanon, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macau, Mauritius, Monaco, Montserrat, Nauru, Northern Mariana Islands, Oman, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Virgin Islands, Vanuatu.

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  49. General tax code, Ministry of Finances of Chad, August 14, 2006. (French)
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  54. Income Tax Act, Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
  55. A guide for income taxpayers, Ministry of Finance of East Timor, June 30, 1905.
  56. Employment and Taxation, Falkland Islands Government.
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  63. Guyana Tax Rates, TaxRates.cc.
  64. Income tax, Ministry of Economy and Finances of Haiti. (French)
  65. Iran Tax Rates, TaxRates.cc.
  66. Income Tax Act 1990, Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute.
  67. Law on personal income tax, Assembly of Kosovo.
  68. What should a foreigner know about Kyrgyzstan's tax system, The Times of Central Asia.
  69. Revenue Code of Liberia Act of 2000, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, August 2002.
  70. General tax code, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Mali, July 1999.(French)
  71. Personal Income Tax of Mongolia, China Radio International, August 26, 2008.
  72. Income Tax Act, Inland Revenue Department of Montserrat, January 1, 2002.
  73. Myanmar Tax Rates, TaxRates.cc.
  74. Summary of taxes, State Tax Service of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, 2010. (Armenian)
  75. Income Tax Act 2002 – Handbook, Inland Revenue Department of Nepal.
  76. Tax code of New Caledonia, Juridical documentation of New Caledonia. (French)
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  103. See, e.g., "Tax Information for Visitors to the United States", Publication 513 (annual), Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Treasury, page 2.
  104. See, e.g., "Residents and non-residents", IR20, Inland Revenue, HMRC, page 6 et seq.
  105. Switzerland requires a work permit to be employed in Switzerland. A person working in Switzerland for more than 30 days may be a resident. See http://www.taxation.ch/index.cfm/fuseaction/show/temp/default/path/1-534.htm
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  141. E.g., 26 USC 701, et seq.
  142. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  143. Supra. 26 USC 861(a)(3)
  144. 26 USC 861(a)(1) and (2) and 862(a)(1) and (2), supra.
  145. U.S. IRC sections 861(a)(4) and 862(a)(4), supra.
  146. 26 USC 861(a)(6) and 862(a)(6), supra.)
  147. 26 USC 863(b).
  148. 26 USC 865(a). (other examples needed)
  149. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  150. See, e.g., Pierre Boulez, in which a U.S. court determined that income received by a performer relating to sale of recordings of a musical performance was sourced to where such recordings were purchased by consumers.
  151. See, e.g., India’s rules
  152. The U.S. and many of its states define taxable income independently of financial statement income, but require reconciliation of the two. See, e.g., California Revenue and Taxation Code sections 17071 et seq.
  153. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  154. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  155. U.S. IRS Form 1120 Schedule M-3; Canadian CRA Form T-2 Schedule 1
  156. 156.0 156.1 U.S. regulations under 26 CFR 1.861-8, et seq. at (hereafter U.S. regulations §)
  157. Contrast to "integrated" systems providing a credit to enterprise owners for a portion of enterprise level taxation.[citation needed]
  158. 26 USC 163(j) and long proposed regulations thereunder
  159. 26 USC 351.
  160. E.g., Egypt limits the credit to the Egyptian income tax "that may have been payable with respect to profits from works performed abroad," but without a thorough definition of terms. Article (54).
  161. U.S. rules limit the credit by categories based on the nature of the income. 26 USC 904. For 20 years prior to changes first effective in 2007, there were at least nine such categories. These included, e.g., financial services income, high-taxed income, other passive income, and other (operating or general) income. UK rules provide for separate limitations based on the schedule of income on which UK tax is computed. Thus, credits were separately limited for salaries versus dividends and interest.
  162. E.g., under U.S. rules, the credit is limited to U.S. tax on foreign source taxable income for a particular category. The rules for determining source for taxation of foreign persons (sections 861-865) apply in computing such credit, and detailed rules are provided in regulations (above) for allocating and apportioning expenses to such income.
  163. Materials from one major accounting firm provide a table of over sixty such countries. Such table is not comprehensive.
  164. E.g., Australia imposes a 10% withholding tax rate on interest, subject to treaty reduction.
  165. E.g., Thailand taxes dividends at 10% and interest at 15%.
  166. E.g., Italy taxes dividends paid to nonresidents having voting rights in the company paying the dividends at 27% but taxes dividends paid to nonresidents not having such rights at 12.5%.
  167. See, e.g., 26 USC 871, 881, and 1441.
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  169. Shafik Hebous (2011) "Money at the Docks of Tax Havens: A Guide", CESifo Working Paper Series No. 3587, p. 9
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  172. Permanent establishment is defined under most treaties using language identical to the OECD model. Generally, a permanent establishment is any fixed place of business, including an office, warehouse, etc.
  173. See, for example, Singapore's provision that income from outside its borders is not taxed until brought onshore.
  174. Anti-deferral and other shifting measures have also been combatted by granting broad powers to revenue authorities under "general anti-avoidance" provisions. See a discussion of Canadian GAAR a CTF article.
  175. 175.0 175.1 Subpart F (sections 951-964)
  176. Part XVII of Chapter IV ICTA 1988
  177. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/intmanual/INTM200000.htm
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  179. E.g., UK ICTA Section 28AA and guidelines thereunder
  180. U.S. Department of the Treasury. (2007). Earnings Stripping, Transfer Pricing and U.S. Income Tax Treaties.

Further reading

  • Thruonyi, Viktor, Comparative Tax Law, Aspen Publishers (2003)
  • Lymer, Andrew and Hasseldine, John, eds., The International Taxation System, Kluwer Academic Publishers (2002)
  • Kuntz, Joel D. and Peroni, Robert J.; U.S. International Taxation
  • International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation offers subscription services detailing taxation systems of most countries, as well as comprehensive tax treaties, in multiple languages. Also available and searchable by subscription through Thomson subsidiaries.
  • CCH offers shorter descriptions for fewer countries (at a lower fee) as well as certain computational tools.
  • At least six international accounting firms (BDO, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, KPMG, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers) and several law firms have individual country and multi-country guides available, often to non-clients. See the in-country web sites for each for contact information.

External links