On 1 July 2021, the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting released a statement outlining the revised international tax framework to address the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy. The new framework envisages a two-pillar solution, colloquially referred to as "Pillar One" and "Pillar Two" proposals. The statement has been welcomed and officially joined by 132 jurisdictions-members of the Inclusive Framework.
According to the OECD, the new framework will ensure that large multinational enterprises (MNEs) pay their "fair share" of tax in the jurisdictions where they operate and produce their profits, as well as create certainty and stability for the international tax system. As per the OECD Secretary-General's words, the new revised international tax framework will not "eliminate tax competition, as it should not, but it will set multilaterally agreed limitations on it", while it will "also accommodate the various interests across the negotiating table, including those of small economies and developing jurisdictions". Therefore, the new international tax framework will aim to establish a fair and equitable international tax system without compromising the position and negotiating power of developing countries by being too complex and burdensome.
The key takeaways of the revised OECD Pillar One and Pillar Two proposals are summarised below.
Pillar One
Scope
In-scope companies will comprise the MNEs with global turnover above EUR 20 billion and profitability above 10% (i.e. profit before tax/revenue). The extractive industry and regulated financial services are excluded.
Nexus – Amount A allocation
A new special purpose nexus rule will be established permitting allocation of Amount A to a market jurisdiction when the in-scope MNE derives at least EUR 1 million in revenues from that jurisdiction. For smaller jurisdictions with GDP lower than EUR 40 billion, the nexus will be set at EUR 250,000.
Tax base determination
The relevant measure of profit or loss of the in-scope MNE will be determined by reference to financial accounting income, with a small number of adjustments. Also, losses will be carried forward.
Revenue sourcing and Quantum
Revenues will be sourced to the end-market jurisdictions where goods or services are used or consumed. Also, allocation of profits to end-market jurisdictions with nexus will be made on the basis of 20%-30% of residual profits defined as profits in excess of 10% of revenue, using a revenue-based allocation key.
Safe harbour
Where the residual profits of an in-scope MNE are already taxed in an end-market jurisdiction, a marketing and distribution of profits safe harbour will cap the residual profits allocated to the end-market jurisdiction through Amount A, as described above.
Tax certainty and elimination of double taxation
In-scope MNEs will benefit from dispute prevention and resolution mechanisms, which will avoid double taxation for Amount A, in a mandatory and binding manner. Double taxation of profits allocated to end-market jurisdictions will be avoided using either the exemption or the credit method.
Amount B
The application of the arm's length principle to in-country baseline marketing and distribution activities will be simplified and streamlined, with a particular focus on the needs of low capacity countries.
Unilateral measures
Coordination between the application of the new international tax rules and the removal of all domestic digital service taxes and other relevant similar measures, will be streamlined.
Pillar Two - GloBE
Design
Pillar Two will consist of the following rules:
- two domestic rules, i.e. an income inclusion rule (IIR) that aims to impose a top-up tax on a parent entity in respect of the low-taxed income of a constituent entity and an undertaxed payment rule (UTPR), which aims to deny deductions or to require an equivalent adjustment, to the extent the low taxed income of a constituent entity is not subject to tax under an IIR; and
- a treaty-based rule, i.e. the subject-to-tax rule (STTR) that aims to allow source jurisdictions to impose limited source taxation on certain related-party payments subject to tax below a minimum rate. Jurisdictions that apply nominal corporate income tax rates below the STTR minimum rate to interest, royalties and a defined set of other payments, would implement the STTR into their bilateral tax treaties with developing Inclusive Framework members when requested to do so. In those cases, the minimum rate for STTR purposes will range from 7.5% to 9%.
Scope
Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules will apply to MNEs that meet the EUR 750 million threshold, as determined under BEPS Action 13. Countries are, nevertheless, free to apply the IIR to MNEs headquartered in their jurisdiction, even if they do not meet the aforementioned threshold.
Minimum rate
The minimum tax rate used for purposes of the IIR and UTPR, will be at least 15%.
Effective tax rate calculation
The GloBE rules will impose a top-up tax using an effective tax rate (ETR) test calculated on a jurisdictional basis, that uses a common definition of covered taxes and a tax base determined by reference to financial accounting income.
Carve-outs and exclusions
The GloBE rules will provide for a formulaic substance-based carve-out provision that will exclude an amount of income that is at least 5% of the carrying value of tangible assets and payroll, and will establish a de minimis exclusion. International shipping income will, also, be excluded from the scope of the GloBE rules.
The Inclusive Framework intends to finalize the remaining technical work on Pillar One and Pillar Two by October 2021 and aspires to effectively implement the respective international tax rules by 2023.
Note: Seven IF member countries, namely Barbados, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Kenya, Nigeria and Sri Lanka, have yet to join the two-pillar approach statement. More details on the joining process will be reported in due course.
