Expert Analysis

Judging by the speeches at the World Economic Forum in Davos, political and business leaders are concerned by the changing dynamics of international tax competition and there can be no doubt that the ‘race to the bottom’ is on.

For months, Congress promoted the tax reform effort as being focused on simplifying the outdated and complex 1986 Tax Code. Tax reform, culminating in H.R. 1, did no such thing, at least where it applies to multinational US corporations. Nowhere is this more apparent than in section 951A, the tax on global intangible low-taxed income, or ‘GILTI’. Erik Christenson, partner at Baker McKenzie, and Monte Silver, senior counsel at Eitan, Mehulal & Sadot explain.

The first component of the UK’s HMRC Making Tax Digital (MTD) project, VAT compliance, goes live on April 1 2019. Corporation tax and income tax will follow in 2020 or later, writes Richard Asquith, vice president of global indirect tax at Avalara.

Interview with Candy Ye Tang, tax and business advisory leader, Deloitte China

Interview with Adham Hafoudh, partner, Tax & Legal, Deloitte Czech Republic

A recent ruling curbs formalistic proof requirements in EU cross-border pension fund taxation while strengthening the substance over form and ‘equality of arms’ concepts, say João Rodrigues, Liliana Piedade, and Francisco Ludovino Reis of Cuatrecasas

David Hamzah Damian of DDTC Consulting examines recent procedural changes in Indonesia’s tax disputes process and the Supreme Court’s stance on tax evidence, highlighting key implications for taxpayers facing audits, objections, and appeals

Eddie Morris, Josep Serrano Torres, and Jen Breeze of Deloitte compare transfer pricing controversies in the pharmaceutical and automotive sectors, highlighting how DEMPE functions, regulation, and intangibles drive both common themes and sector-specific challenges

Carlos Serrano Palacio and Szymon Wlazlowski of Deloitte examine how transfer pricing complexities arise in special purpose vehicle investments and outline key considerations in navigating their unique risk, substance, and valuation challenges

Julien Lamotte of Deloitte Luxembourg explains how the new regime positions the country as a leading destination for alternative investment funds while providing tax-efficient treatment

Federico Vincenti and Carola Valente Della Rovere of Valente Associati GEB Partners/Crowe Valente explain how Italy classifies payments for software distribution and the potential consequences in the event of a tax audit

Sofia Araújo Alves of Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados explains the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism’s transition to its definitive phase, highlighting new compliance requirements, thresholds, and regulatory simplifications