The diploma thesis deals with the concept of International Taxation of Permanent Establishments. The treatment of permanent establishment is defined and compared from both czech and international perspective. Furthermore, there are identified issues that individual countries and the international organization OECD have to deal with under the Action Plan BEPS. Moreover, at the end of the thesis frequency of permanent establishments in the Czech Republic is displayed according to the residence of taxpayers.

O objetivo do presente trabalho consiste em analisar a necessidade, a viabilidade e demais aspectos práticos inerentes à inserção de uma cláusula prevendo a submissão compulsória de litígios não solucionados pelo procedimento amigável, único método existente nos acordos de bitributação celebrados pelo Brasil, à arbitragem (mandatory arbitration), como forma de incrementar os mecanismos de solução de controvérsias hoje disponíveis nos acordos de bitributação. Para alcançar essa finalidade específica, iniciou-se o estudo (Capítulo 2), após breve introdução, a partir de uma aferição das espécies de controvérsias oriundas da interpretação e aplicação dos acordos de bitributação, notadamente em relação aos tratados celebrados pelo Brasil. Ato contínuo, procurou-se, no Capítulo 3 da tese, examinar mais detidamente o instituto do procedimento amigável, de maneira a demonstrar, ao final, as diversas deficiências inerentes ao referido mecanismo. Como forma de aprimorar o modelo de solução de controvérsias então existente, analisou-se, no Capítulo 4 da tese, as diversas propostas de inserção de uma arbitragem compulsória e suplementar ao procedimento amigável (two-step approach), entre elas a Convenção Europeia de Arbitragem (Convenção 90/436/EEC), bem como também os modelos de arbitragem apresentados pela OCDE e ONU, em seus respectivos modelos de convenção. Constituiu objeto precípuo de análise, igualmente, a aferição da experiência internacional existente em relação ao tema, mais especificamente nos acordos celebrados pelos Estados Unidos, Áustria, Alemanha. Reino Unido e Holanda. No Capítulo 5, por sua vez, com o objetivo específico de incrementar a eficácia do mecanismo, tratou-se de aspectos práticos inerentes à inclusão da arbitragem nos acordos celebrados pelo Brasil, mormente no que atine (i) ao escopo das convenções arbitrais, (ii) à ata de missão dos árbitros, (iii) à constituição do painel arbitral, (iv) ao sigilo e confidencialidade, (v) à escolha do procedimento aplicável e a instrução do processo, (vi) à definição da sede do tribunal, (vi) à participação do contribuinte, (vii) à aferição dos requisitos inerentes à sentença arbitral, (viii) à logística e aos custos do processo, bem como, também, (ix) à fonte jurídica disponível para a resolução dos litígios. No Capítulo 6, por sua vez, procurou-se demonstrar a inexistência de qualquer óbice à utilização do referido mecanismo de solução de controvérsias nos tratados celebrados pelo País. Feita a referida análise, tratou-se, no Capítulo 7, do tema atinente ao reconhecimento e execução da sentença arbitral, bem como de sua eventual relação com a Convenção de Nova Iorque. Por derradeiro, apresentou-se uma síntese conclusiva do raciocínio desenvolvido ao longo da tese em relação aos tópicos analisados. / The main purpose of this thesis is to analyze the necessity, feasibility and other practical matters inherent to the negotiation and inclusion of a mandatory arbitration clause in Brazilian double tax treaties that could be triggered in cases where mutual agreement procedure, the only mechanism to solve disputes in such treaties, is not able to eliminate the controversies that may arise in this field. After a brief introduction, we began our study, on Chapter 2, by studying the main types of controversies derived from the interpretation and application of double tax treaties, specially with regard to the Brazilian experience. In this sense, we examined, on Chapter 3, the contours of the mutual agreement procedure in a way to demonstrate, in the end, the relevant deficiencies inherent to the such dispute resolution mechanism. On Chapter 4, we analyzed the different ways that such a mandatory arbitration clause, ancilar to the mutual agreement procedure (two-step approach), was inserted in the international context, namely in the EU Arbitration Convention (Convention 90/436/EEC), as well as in the OECD and UN proposals, with regard to their respectively model conventions. Also, we studied the international experience in the field, specifically in relation to the development observed in the tax treaty policies of some countries, such as the United States, Austria, Germany, United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Subsequently, on Chapter 5 we explored the more practical matters related to such a mandatory arbitration clause, specially with regard to (i) the scope of the arbitration clause, (ii) the specific terms of reference, (iii) the selection of the arbitrators, (iv) confidenciality, (v) the establishment of procedural and evidentiary rules, (vi) the seat of the arbitration, (vii) the taxpayer participation in the procedure, (viii) the minimum requirements related to the award, (ix) the logistical arrengements and costs, (x) and the source of law that can be used by the arbitrators. On Chapter 6, we tried to demonstrate the absence of any constitucional barrier preventing the use of arbitration as a means of solving controversies related to taxation, specially with regard to Brazilian double tax treaties. On the last Chapter (Chapter 7), we dealt with the issues related to the recognition and enforcement of the award under Brazilian rules and also with regard to the New York Convention. Lastly, we presented a conclusive synthesis of the study.

This paper investigates the effects of double tax treaties (DTTs) on foreign direct investment (FDI) after controlling for their relevance in the presence of treaty shopping. DTTs cannot be considered a bilateral issue, but must be viewed as a network. We define tax distance as the cost of channelling corporate income from one country to another and, by considering treaty shopping through intermediate jurisdictions, we calculate the shortest (i.e. the cheapest) distance between any two countries. We show that relevant tax treaties-which reduce the direct tax distance both over domestic law and the entire existing treaty network-will increase FDI by about 18%.

O objetivo do presente trabalho consiste em analisar a necessidade, a viabilidade e demais aspectos práticos inerentes à inserção de uma cláusula prevendo a submissão compulsória de litígios não solucionados pelo procedimento amigável, único método existente nos acordos de bitributação celebrados pelo Brasil, à arbitragem (mandatory arbitration), como forma de incrementar os mecanismos de solução de controvérsias hoje disponíveis nos acordos de bitributação. Para alcançar essa finalidade específica, iniciou-se o estudo (Capítulo 2), após breve introdução, a partir de uma aferição das espécies de controvérsias oriundas da interpretação e aplicação dos acordos de bitributação, notadamente em relação aos tratados celebrados pelo Brasil. Ato contínuo, procurou-se, no Capítulo 3 da tese, examinar mais detidamente o instituto do procedimento amigável, de maneira a demonstrar, ao final, as diversas deficiências inerentes ao referido mecanismo. Como forma de aprimorar o modelo de solução de controvérsias então existente, analisou-se, no Capítulo 4 da tese, as diversas propostas de inserção de uma arbitragem compulsória e suplementar ao procedimento amigável (two-step approach), entre elas a Convenção Europeia de Arbitragem (Convenção 90/436/EEC), bem como também os modelos de arbitragem apresentados pela OCDE e ONU, em seus respectivos modelos de convenção. Constituiu objeto precípuo de análise, igualmente, a aferição da experiência internacional existente em relação ao tema, mais especificamente nos acordos celebrados pelos Estados Unidos, Áustria, Alemanha. Reino Unido e Holanda. No Capítulo 5, por sua vez, com o objetivo específico de incrementar a eficácia do mecanismo, tratou-se de aspectos práticos inerentes à inclusão da arbitragem nos acordos celebrados pelo Brasil, mormente no que atine (i) ao escopo das convenções arbitrais, (ii) à ata de missão dos árbitros, (iii) à constituição do painel arbitral, (iv) ao sigilo e confidencialidade, (v) à escolha do procedimento aplicável e a instrução do processo, (vi) à definição da sede do tribunal, (vi) à participação do contribuinte, (vii) à aferição dos requisitos inerentes à sentença arbitral, (viii) à logística e aos custos do processo, bem como, também, (ix) à fonte jurídica disponível para a resolução dos litígios. No Capítulo 6, por sua vez, procurou-se demonstrar a inexistência de qualquer óbice à utilização do referido mecanismo de solução de controvérsias nos tratados celebrados pelo País. Feita a referida análise, tratou-se, no Capítulo 7, do tema atinente ao reconhecimento e execução da sentença arbitral, bem como de sua eventual relação com a Convenção de Nova Iorque. Por derradeiro, apresentou-se uma síntese conclusiva do raciocínio desenvolvido ao longo da tese em relação aos tópicos analisados. / The main purpose of this thesis is to analyze the necessity, feasibility and other practical matters inherent to the negotiation and inclusion of a mandatory arbitration clause in Brazilian double tax treaties that could be triggered in cases where mutual agreement procedure, the only mechanism to solve disputes in such treaties, is not able to eliminate the controversies that may arise in this field. After a brief introduction, we began our study, on Chapter 2, by studying the main types of controversies derived from the interpretation and application of double tax treaties, specially with regard to the Brazilian experience. In this sense, we examined, on Chapter 3, the contours of the mutual agreement procedure in a way to demonstrate, in the end, the relevant deficiencies inherent to the such dispute resolution mechanism. On Chapter 4, we analyzed the different ways that such a mandatory arbitration clause, ancilar to the mutual agreement procedure (two-step approach), was inserted in the international context, namely in the EU Arbitration Convention (Convention 90/436/EEC), as well as in the OECD and UN proposals, with regard to their respectively model conventions. Also, we studied the international experience in the field, specifically in relation to the development observed in the tax treaty policies of some countries, such as the United States, Austria, Germany, United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Subsequently, on Chapter 5 we explored the more practical matters related to such a mandatory arbitration clause, specially with regard to (i) the scope of the arbitration clause, (ii) the specific terms of reference, (iii) the selection of the arbitrators, (iv) confidenciality, (v) the establishment of procedural and evidentiary rules, (vi) the seat of the arbitration, (vii) the taxpayer participation in the procedure, (viii) the minimum requirements related to the award, (ix) the logistical arrengements and costs, (x) and the source of law that can be used by the arbitrators. On Chapter 6, we tried to demonstrate the absence of any constitucional barrier preventing the use of arbitration as a means of solving controversies related to taxation, specially with regard to Brazilian double tax treaties. On the last Chapter (Chapter 7), we dealt with the issues related to the recognition and enforcement of the award under Brazilian rules and also with regard to the New York Convention. Lastly, we presented a conclusive synthesis of the study.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the development of Article 15 Income from Employment of the OECD Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital, especially with the accent on the Commentary of this article. Furthermore, to analyze, with the assistance of selected double tax treaties concluded by the Czech Republic, whether the Czech Republic, thus the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Directorate of Finance, follow the trend in the development of Model Tax Convention and apply it to the newly concluded double tax treaties, i.e. whether the institutions listed above accept the OECD Model Tax Convention and its Commentary as an interpretative regulation to be followed when concluding double tax treaties with both OECD member countries and with non-member countries.

The main aim of the diploma thesis is to identify situations of mutual interaction between double tax treaties and domestic law of income tax, in these situations there is not only one interpretation. This interaction is described by many actual discussed issues, which exists on the field of the income tax. Theese discussed issues are primarily about permanent establishment, first issue is about permanent establishment according to the double tax treaty between the Czech republic and Germany, second issue is about permanent establishment according to the double tax treaty between the Czech republic and Ukraine, last discussed issue is about information obligation of permanent establishment according to the czech income tax act. The sources of theese problem are judgements, professional literature and professional discussion (KOOV).

This thesis deals with the comparison of treaties that prevent double taxation in the area of income taxes and bilateral treaties on social security. The theoretical part of the thesis defines the basic terms that are used in the following parts of the work. A substantial part of the thesis deals with procedures for the avoidance of double taxation in the area of income taxes, which are implemented through international agreements. The thesis also deals with the coordination of social security, which is implemented through bilateral treaties on social security and in European Union also through Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of social security systems, which in the case of Member States of the European Union takes over the function of individual treaties. Result of the thesis is to compare the agreements for the avoidance of double taxation on income and capital and bilateral treaties on social security, especially compared to the number of contracts that the Czech Republic has concluded with other countries. Other points of comparison are the history of concluding these treaties, or the existence of model treaties or multilateral agreements.

This paper investigates the effects of double tax treaties (DTTs) on foreign direct investment (FDI) after controlling for their relevance in the presence of treaty shopping. DTTs cannot be considered a bilateral issue, but must be viewed as a network, since FDI can flow from home to host country through one or more conduit countries. By accounting for treaty shopping, we calculate the shortest (i.e. the cheapest) tax distance between any two countries allowing the corporate income to be channelled through intermediate jurisdictions. We differentiate between relevant and neutral DTTs - i.e. tax treaties that offer investors a financial advantage - and irrelevant DTTs and use these data to derive two important results. First, only relevant and neutral tax treaties increase bilateral FDI, whereas irrelevant DTTs do not. We can quantify the increase of FDI due to a relvant DTT at around 22%. Second, significant tax reductions due to treaty benefits will lead to an increase in FDI. / Series: WU International Taxation Research Paper Series

The aim of this thesis is to analyse the impact of the application of § 38f article 4, which is the Czech legislation allowing the resident to use exemption method for the taxation of foreign income from employment regardless of the method provided in the relevant Double Tax Treaty. The thesis includes an analysis of the development of the taxation of income from employment in the Czech Republic with regard to the taxation of foreign income. Further analysis of the evolution § 38f article 4 of the Income Tax Act and Article 15 of the OECD Model Treaty. The thesis conclusion states that in the model cases, if the foreign country uses a lower tax rate than is used in the Czech Republic, it is always advantageous to use the exemption method for taxpayers. In the case of higher tax rate it appears to be more favourable credit method in the most cases.

Les organismes de placement collectif (OPC) permettent aux investisseurs d'avoir accès à une gestion professionnelle, à la diversification, aux économies d'échelle, à un réinvestissement efficient des revenus et à la liquidité. Les formes juridiques et les systèmes fiscaux des OPC peuvent varier considérablement d'une juridiction à une autre. L'objet de cette thèse est de voir si les investisseurs dans un OPC sont dans la même situation dans laquelle ils se seraient trouvés s'ils avaient investi directement. Contrairement à un contexte national, les investisseurs de portefeuille transfrontaliers ne sont pas placés dans la même situation dans laquelle ils se seraient trouvés si le revenu de placement était réalisé directement. En effet, l'investissement transfrontalier en valeurs mobilières est entravé par des obstacles fiscaux résultant des retenues à la source et des lacunes actuelles de l'allégement conventionnel, en particulier en ce qui concerne les OPC. Afin d'assurer une plus grande sécurité fiscale aux OPC et à leurs investisseurs, diverses solutions possibles à ces difficultés ont alors été abordées. Il a été souligné qu'il faudrait améliorer les conventions de double imposition et les systèmes d'allègement conventionnel en octroyant les avantages soit au niveau de l'OPC soit au niveau de leurs investisseurs. Des perspectives sont également offertes par les règles de non-discrimination en vertu du droit de l'UE à travers notamment les initiatives de la Commission européenne et la jurisprudence de la CJUE. Ces perspectives permettent de suggérer que les États devraient rechercher un accord multilatéral pour abolir les retenues à la source sur les dividendes dans l'État de la source du revenu lorsqu'il est payé à des OPC établis dans d'autres États. Idéalement, tout accord visant à abolir les retenues à la source devrait être combiné à un système d'échange automatique d'informations. Il a été souligné que les inefficacités fiscales favorisent l'innovation financière tels que les produits dérivés et autres instruments financiers qui sont largement utilisés par les gestionnaires d'actifs comme une alternative pour éviter la retenue à la source sur les dividendes. / Collective investment vehicles (CIVs) permit investors to obtain access to professional management, diversification, economies of scale, efficient reinvestment of income and liquidity. The legal forms and tax structures of CIVs may vary considerably from one jurisdiction to another. The purpose of this thesis is to see if CIV investors are in the same position in which they would have been if they had invested directly.Unlike in a domestic context, cross-border portfolio investors are not placed in the same position as if investment income was realised directly. Indeed, cross-border investment in securities is hampered by tax obstacles resulting from withholding taxes and the current deficiencies of treaty relief, especially in relation to collective investment vehicles. In order to provide more certainty to CIVs and underlying investors, various possible remedies to those difficulties have been then addressed. It was highlighted that we should improve double taxation treaties and treaty relief systems by granting benefits either on OPC level either on the level of underlying investors. Perspectives are also offered by non-discrimination rules under EU law, especially through the EU Commission's initiatives and the ECJ cases law. Based on these prospects, it is submitted that the states should seek a multilateral agreement to abolish withholding taxes on dividends in the source state of income, when paid to CIVs established in another states. Optimally, any agreement to abolish withholding taxes should be combined with an automatic exchange of information system. We pointed out that tax inefficiencies promote financial innovation such as derivatives and other financial instruments which are widely used by asset managers as alternatives to avoid dividend withholding tax.