Introduction

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Introduction

Global tax rules are changing, and changing rapidly. The final reports on the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan have been released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and endorsed by the G20. These reports on the 15 BEPS Action Points recommend significant changes in international tax laws and treaties. Due to the unique global alignment on the matter, BEPS is the most comprehensive change in international taxation in history. Attention has turned to the actions that are being taken by countries in response to these recommendations.

To succeed in this new, riskier environment, it's critical to know how change will affect you. Our EY tax professionals will examine the impact of BEPS on key business functions and processes in the following nine chapters, addressing the various aspects of your global enterprise which may be affected by these changes.

This guide will provide readers with practical guidance on how to handle the implications of BEPS. Your approach to financing may have to change and your treasury function needs to be ready. Or, you may need to alter your operating model, as both multilateral and unilateral tax reforms will affect global business models and increase scrutiny of your business's tax affairs. All company stakeholders need to be ready for more transparency. Global tax reforms could affect the value and structure of M&A deals; tax changes in relevant markets must be part of your due diligence. This shows that the impact of BEPS is broader than tax.

The demand for more tax transparency is building and you will soon be required to report information on what your business earns, and how much tax it pays, by country. That global information will be shared between governments and tax authorities, giving them new insight into your global footprint.

There are even calls to require public disclosure on this information. While this 'public' element of country-by-country reporting was not part of the final OECD recommendations, the European Commission is devoting additional time to assessing the merits of making such information public, as is being called for by many non-governmental organisations.

Are you prepared? The right strategy, processes and technology can help you manage this change.

We trust that this guide, BEPS Is Broader Than Tax: Practical Business Implications of BEPS, will provide you with deeper, practical insights into these complex topics and we hope you will enjoy reading it.

Mealey-Matthew

Matthew Mealey

EY partner - EMEIA ITS leader

 

Wehnert-Oliver

Oliver Wehnert

EY partner - EMEIA TP leader

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

While it’s great that the OECD is alive to multinationals’ fears of being caught in a compliance trap, the ‘common understanding’ illustrates a worrying lack of readiness
Rising demand for specialist expertise has fuelled the growth in tax partner headcounts, Cain Dwyer found; in other news, Switzerland has been urged to reconsider pillar two
An OECD report on the taxation of the digital economy is expected by the end of 2026, according to the group of nations
Trophy assets are evolving from personal indulgences to structured investments, prompting family offices to prioritise tax efficiency, governance discipline, and cross-border compliance
As demand for complex, cross-border private client counsel spikes, Patrick McCormick sees opportunity in starting from scratch
As part of an exclusive global alliance, KPMG will become one of Anthropic’s ‘preferred consultants’ for private equity
In the second part of this series, the focus shifts to how taxpayers can manage ongoing risks across the lifecycle of cross-border structures
Jurisdictions have moved to ensure that multinationals are not punished for late GIR filings due to a lack of available filing portals or exchange relationships
HMRC’s push for unified tax adviser registration won’t prevent every instance of improper conduct, but it is good for taxpayers and the UK’s reputation
Elsewhere, the UAE’s tax office has issued an update on registration penalties and two firms have been busy making lateral hires
Gift this article