The aim of this thesis is to explore the firm-specific determinants of the demand for tax haven operations by Czech firms. Our objective is to better understand the firms' incentives for tax haven use, and furthermore whether there exists cross-haven heterogeneity in those incentives. The thesis examines the firms' tax haven investment behaviour by analysing firm-level data for 15,530 Czech firms for year 2013. To the extent of our knowledge, this has been the first research of its kind devoted to Czech firms. The evidence suggests that larger, more profitable firms with larger international presence are most likely to use tax havens. The analysis also indicates that higher firm indebtedness is associated with greater likelihood of establishing tax haven operations. This would suggest Czech firms engage in profit shifting through the use of debt financing. Furthermore, service firms were found to be more likely to use tax havens than manufacturing firms. This contrasts with previous research where R&D intensity was a leading indicator of tax haven use. Additionally, we found significant cross-haven heterogeneity in the determinants, particularly in the sector-specific characteristics. In our sample, service firms favoured Cyprus and the Netherlands, while manufacturing firms preferred Luxembourg...

Kamínková, Petra: Legislating against Tax Avoidance Abstract Tax avoidance practices of multinational corporations have recently come under criticism by governments and general public. In my thesis, I analyze various methods states may use to fight such behavior, with special regard given to the Czech Republic. In the first chapter, I introduce basic principles of international taxation. Second chapter focuses on several commonly used methods of avoiding taxes, and the tools used by governments to fight particular types of undesirable transactions and set-ups (Targeted Anti-Avoidance Rules - TAARs). The analysis therein suggests that these tools may be successful to a degree, but may never cover all possible scenarios. Third chapter elaborates on judicial doctrines and General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAARs). These tools attempt to address tax avoidance methods not anticipated by legislature. My contention is that while these concepts may be quite powerful, they may also gravely threaten legal certainty. Therefore, I conclude that they should be used sparingly. Final chapter presents a set of auxiliary tools that may improve the communication between tax payers and tax authorities, thus helping the states to gather information faster and more efficiently, allowing them to react to arising issues with minimal...

O presente estudo tem como foco a análise do planejamento tributário à luz do princípio da segurança jurídica. Nesse contexto, busca-se definir o conceito de planejamento tributário, abordando os institutos da elisão tributária e da evasão fiscal, bem como os critérios usualmente elencados pela doutrina tributária brasileira para distinguir as condutas eficazes e ineficazes perante o Fisco. Visando à melhor compreensão dos limites normativos à elisão tributária, examinam-se os parâmetros para a interpretação da lei tributária e para a qualificação da materialidade tributável, estudadas sob o viés da relação entre o Direito Tributário e o Direito Privado. Assim, são estudadas as figuras do Direito Privado normalmente associadas à elisão fiscal: simulação, negócio jurídico indireto, fraude à lei, abuso do direito, abuso das formas e propósito negocial. Após distinguir tais figuras e identificar os verdadeiros limites positivados ao planejamento tributário, realiza-se incursão profunda nos princípios constitucionais tributários concernentes à qualificação da materialidade tributável, sustentando que, no Estado Democrático de Direito, os princípios da legalidade tributária e da livre iniciativa convivem, pacificamente, com os princípios da capacidade contributiva e da igualdade. Analisa-se, então, a significação, os fundamentos, o conteúdo e a eficácia do princípio da segurança jurídica no planejamento tributário. Por fim, identificam-se, à luz da segurança jurídica, os limites para a requalificação dos atos e negócios jurídicos pelas autoridades fiscais, bem como para a aplicação de multas qualificadas nessas situações. / This study is focused on the analysis of tax planning in the light of the principle of legal certainty. In this context, it seeks to define the concept of tax planning, covering the different notions of tax avoidance and tax evasion, besides the criteria usually outlined to distinguish between conducts that may be or may be not enforceable against the Brazilian tax authorities. Aiming at a better understanding of the legal limits of a tax avoidance conduct, this study examines the guidelines to the interpretation of Tax Law and to the identification of taxable material facts, in view of the relationship between Tax Law and Private Law. Thereby, the institutes of Private Law normally related to tax avoidance conducts are examined: simulation, indirect juristic acts, fraud, abuse of law, abuse of forms and business purpose theory. After distinguishing these institutes and identifying the legal limits to tax planning, this study deeply examines the constitutional principles that are relevant to the identification of taxable material facts, arguing that, in a Legal Democratic State, the principles of lawfulness and freedom of enterprise cohabit pacifically both with the principles of ability to pay and equality. Then, it analyzes the meanings, the essential grounds, the content and the effectiveness of the principle of legal certainty on tax planning. Finally, this research examines the limits to the reclassification of juristic acts by the Brazilian tax authorities and to the application of qualified tax fines in such situations in the light of the principle of legal certainty.

O presente estudo analisa teorias do abuso no planejamento tributário. Inicialmente, busca-se definir e diferenciar planejamento tributário, planejamento tributário abusivo e evasão fiscal, partindo-se da premissa de que compete a cada Estado estabelecer, de forma peculiar, quais os critérios devem ser adotados para a identificação dessas figuras em seu ordenamento jurídico. Analisam-se os princípios constitucionais que podem ser ponderados no Brasil em relação a esse tema. Diante das teses que defendem a adoção, pelo Direito Tributário brasileiro, do abuso do direito, do abuso de formas, da fraude à lei e do propósito negocial, inclusive com fundamento nas experiências do Direito estrangeiro, analisa-se como tais teorias têm sido originalmente construídas, respectivamente, pela França, Alemanha, Espanha e Estados Unidos da América. Após a análise de cada uma dessas teorias estrangeiras, analisam-se os fundamentos da doutrina e jurisprudência favoráveis e contrários à sua aplicação no ordenamento tributário brasileiro, seja a partir de princípios jurídicos, de dispositivos do Código Tributário Nacional (em especial, art. 116, parágrafo único) ou mesmo do novo Código Civil (em especial, art. 187). Por fim, busca-se apresentar qual a norma atualmente vigente no Brasil para a tutela do planejamento tributário. / This study examines theories of abuse in tax planning. Initially, it defines and differentiates tax planning, tax avoidance and tax evasion, starting from the premise that is to the State to establish, in a peculiar way, in which criteria should be adopted for the identification of these figures in its legal system. It examines the constitutional principles that can be weighted in Brazil in relation to this theme. It examines the arguments that advocate the adoption of some theories by the Brazilian tax law, as abuse of law, abuse of forms, fraus legis and business purpose test. The research considers how such theories have been originally constructed, respectively, by France, Germany, Spain and the United States of America. After analyzes of each one of these foreign theories and examines the fundamentals of doctrine and court decisions that would be favorable or unfavorable for its application in the Brazilian tax planning, either from legal principles, from National Tax Code (in particular, art. 116, single paragraph) or even from the new Civil Code (in particular, art. 187). Finally, analyses which rule is currently in force in Brazil to the tax planning issues.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-09-21T14:52:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Paulo Roberto de Sousa Bigolin_.pdf: 1056192 bytes, checksum: 325f0cc2261320a896adb2e043482af6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-21T14:52:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Paulo Roberto de Sousa Bigolin_.pdf: 1056192 bytes, checksum: 325f0cc2261320a896adb2e043482af6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-11 / Nenhuma / O presente trabalho tem por finalidade a elaboração de protocolo para tomada de decisão em planejamento tributário como mecanismo metodológico para gerenciamento de riscos, através do qual o contribuinte poderá verificar, de modo prévio ou concomitante, a licitude e a legitimidade da elisão fiscal implementada através de planejamento tributário, reduzindo ou eliminando os riscos de sua descaracterização, requalificação, ou desconsideração pela fiscalização tributária. Para o alcance desse objetivo, realizou-se o levantamento de quais elementos ou fontes de evidência podem ser extraídos das teorias de combate à elisão fiscal existentes em âmbito internacional, para composição do protocolo, com a utilização de metodologia de pesquisa descritiva e exploratória, e da jurisprudência do Conselho Administrativo de Recursos Fiscais (CARF) e do Superior Tribunal de Justiça (STJ), com a utilização de metodologia de pesquisa qualitativa e de análise de conteúdo. Para aplicação do protocolo para tomada de decisão em dois casos específicos de planejamento tributário e confrontação dos resultados e dos aspectos positivos e negativos de cada um, com a finalidade de caracterizar a sua licitude e legitimidade, utilizou-se o método de estudo de caso múltiplo e de pesquisa-ação. Diante dos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que a confirmação da legalidade e da legitimidade de planejamentos tributários pode ser obtida em razão do preenchimento de todas as etapas estabelecidas no protocolo para tomada de decisão em planejamento tributário, com a correspondência dos elementos de validação relacionados na coluna “elemento” ao subitem “sim”, da coluna “status”. / The purpose of the present work is the elaboration of a protocol for decision-making in tax planning as a methodological mechanism for risk management, through which the taxpayer can verify, prior or concomitantly, the legality and the legitimacy of the tax avoidance implemented through tax planning, reducing or eliminating the risks of its decharacterization, requalification, or disregard for tax inspection. In order to achieve this objective, it was carried out the survey of which elements or sources of evidence can be extracted from the anti-tax avoidance theories existing at international level, for the composition of the protocol, using a descriptive and exploratory research methodology, and of the jurisprudence of the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (CARF) and the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), using qualitative research methodology and content analysis. For the application of the protocol for decision-making in two specific cases of tax planning and confrontation of the results and the positive and negative aspects of each one, in order to characterize their lawfulness and legitimacy, using the multiple case study method and action research. Against the results obtained, it was verified that the confirmation of the legality and legitimacy of tax planning can be obtained due to the fill of all the steps established in the protocol for decision-making in tax planning, with the corresponding validation elements in the "element" column to the "yes" sub-item, in the "status" column.

Si la fraude et l'évasion fiscales sont aussi anciennes que l'impôt lui-même, la mondialisation et la numérisation de l'économie ont placé les Etats face aux limites de leur pouvoir fiscal, pouvoir qui demeure intimement lié à leur compétence territoriale. Plus récemment, c'est la crise financière de 2007-2008 qui a attiré l'attention de l'opinion publique mondiale sur l'importance du phénomène de fraude et d'évasion fiscales internationales et le rôle essentiel qu’y tiennent les paradis fiscaux. Les outils juridiques conventionnels traditionnels à la disposition des Etats ont montré toutes leurs limites, et ce tant en matière de détection des situations à risque que d’échange d’informations ou d’assistance au recouvrement. S’est ainsi faite jour la nécessité, pour certains Etats, de relancer, sur le plan international, des actions de nature coopérative d’un nouveau type pour tenter d'endiguer les pertes budgétaires massives ainsi subies ou consenties. Ces actions, participant tant de la « soft law » que de la règle de droit, menées par l'OCDE comme par l'Union européenne, se concentrent sur deux aspects fondamentaux que sont, d'une part la transparence fiscale et, d'autre part, la lutte contre les pratiques d'érosion de la base imposable et de transfert des bénéfices vers des Etats ou territoires à fiscalité faible ou nulle. L'analyse de ces tentatives de réforme de la fiscalité internationale conduit à s'interroger non seulement sur la méthode utilisée ainsi que sur le contenu des réglementations qui en découlent, mais également sur les perspectives d'avenir de la lutte contre la fraude et l'évasion fiscales internationales. Face aux carences du « nationalisme fiscal », il convient donc de s'interroger sur la pertinence d'une mondialisation de l'impôt lui-même, et ce tant au niveau de la base imposable que des taux d’imposition. / Tax fraud and tax avoidance are as old as tax itself. Economy’s globalisation and digitalazation have however confronted States with the limitations of their tax power that remains dependant on their territorial boundaries. More recently, the 2007-2008 financial crisis has drawn the attention of the public opinion on the extent of international tax fraud and avoidance as well as on the key role tax heavens play in this frame. The traditional and conventional legal tools States can use have reached their limits in the field of detection of potential risky tax’s situations, exchange of information as well as collection assistance. Some States are willing to revive, on an worldwide level, the international tax cooperation, so as to curb massive budgetary losses they either undergo or consent to. These measures, which are based on « soft law » or on real right rules, are lead by the OECD and the European Union in order to face two main purposes. The first one deals with tax transparency whereas the second one tackles with base erosion and profit shifting towards States and territories with low or nil tax levels. The analysis of these attempts to amend international tax rules leads up to question about the used methods, the regulation’s content and their perspectives. While facing the lacks of « tax nationalism », it is necessary to wonder about the relevancy of globalising taxes themselves through both their basis and their rates.

O presente estudo examina os limites à requalificação dos negócios jurídicos no Brasil, seja pelas autoridades fiscais seja pelo legislador tributário (infraconstitucional) com a criação de regras específicas e gerais para o controle da elusão fiscal. Para tanto, considera-se a elusão fiscal como figura autônoma, buscando-se identificar os critérios para a delimitação desta zona cinzenta existente entre a conduta contra legem (evasão) e aquela que não contraria, quer direta quer indiretamente, o ordenamento (elisão), e que corresponde à prática de atos aparentemente lícitos mas que ferem indiretamente o ordenamento. A identificação de tais critérios coloca em relevo a importância da causa dos negócios jurídicos e a noção de ilicitude atípica que qualifica os atos e negócios aparentemente lícitos porém desprovidos de causa, engendrados exclusivamente com vistas à economia de tributos. Analisa-se então como o ordenamento positivo brasileiro trata esta categoria de atos e negócios, buscando delimitar o que a administração fiscal está autorizada a fazer no combate à elusão fiscal. Em seguida, passa-se ao exame do controle da elusão fiscal realizado pela via legislativa, analisando-se os limites ao estabelecimento de regras específicas de prevenção ou de correção da elusão baseadas em ficções e presunções, as regras antielusivas constantes de convenções internacionais firmadas pelo Brasil, bem como a experiência estrangeira no estabelecimento de regras gerais antielusivas. Ao final, abordamos o conteúdo da regra geral antielusiva brasileira. / This research examines the limits applicable to the reclassification of activities by the Brazilian tax authorities or the Brazilian tax legislator (i.e., ordinary law) by means of specific and general anti-avoidance rules. For this purpose, we consider tax avoidance as an autonomous concept, which consists of those transactions that appear legitimate but are indirectly against rules, and we attempt to identify the criteria for delimitation of the gray area between an activity that represents a direct violation of Law tax evasion and one which does not infringe the law, either directly or indirectly valid tax planning. The identification of such criteria emphasizes the importance of the purpose behind a legal transaction and the idea of an illegality which is not expressly defined by law applicable to those acts and transactions that, despite appearing legitimate, have no substance and are exclusively structured for the purpose of saving taxes. We then analyze how Brazilian legislation treats such activities and transactions in order to identify the limits to which tax avoidance schemes can be regulated by Brazils tax authorities. Next, we examine how Brazilian tax legislation deals with tax avoidance, and analyze the limits on the establishment of specific anti-avoidance rules based upon fictions and presumptions, of anti-avoidance rules found in double tax treaties concluded by Brazil, and general anti-avoidance rules based upon other countries practices. Finally, we address the substance of the general anti-avoidance rule under the Brazilian tax system.

För att förhindra att skattskyldiga utnyttjar lagstiftningen på ett sätt som lagstiftaren inte avsett används stopp- och speciallagstiftning. Då detta förfarande alltid ligger  steget efter, lagstiftades det om en generalklausul mot skatteflykt. Legalitetsprincipen kommer även till uttryck inom skatterätten, ingen skatt utan lag. Detta upprätthåller rättsäkerheten och leder till att skattskyldiga kan förutse de skatterättsliga konsekvenserna av olika rättshandlingar. Generalklausulen har ansetts vara svår att tillämpa vilket lett till att det genom praxis framkommit principer om genomsyn. Skatteverket verkar vara av den uppfattningen att det finns en skatterättslig genomsynsmetod. Denna metod förbiser de civilrättsligt giltiga avtalen och ser till den ekonomiska innebörden och beskattar förfarandet därefter. Att se till avtals verkliga innebörd är något som är vanligt förekommande på det civilrättsliga området. Det brukar sägas att skatterätten bygger på civilrättsliga grunder, det är därför anmärkningsvärt att, som Skatteverket gör, åsidosätta eller omkaraktärisera civilrättsliga avtal. Det förefaller snarare vara så att de ekonomiska konsekvenserna är en direkt följd av de civilrättsliga, vilket leder till att en skatterättslig genomsyn inte är tillämplig. Under de senaste åren har det kommit flera avgöranden som säger att en skatterättslig genomsyn inte kan tillämpas. Trots detta fortsätter Skatteverket att tillämpa principen. Även om Regeringsrätten har sin ställning klar verkar det som om det behövs flera, tydliga, domar för att Skatteverket ska inse att det inte längre går att genomföra en skatterättslig genomsyn. / To prevent taxpayers from using the law in a way that the legislator never intended, i.e. abusing its meaning, the legislator constantly introduced new legislation. As this methodology always is reactive as opposed to proactive, the legislator enacted legislation against tax evasive actions - the general anti-avoidance rule. The principle of legality is affecting not only the civil but also the tax legislation, no law no tax. This ensures the legal security and leads to taxpayers being able to foresee the tax consequences of certain legal transactions. The general anti-avoidance rule has been found difficult to apply, why case law has lead to the establishment of a "principle of transparency" (similar to the concept of substance over form). This principle overrides the legally binding agreements entered into by two parties, and aims at determining the true substance of the transactions undertaken under the agreement. The findings made by the tax authority in this process are then deemed to be the correct basis for taxation. It is generally said that the tax law is based on the principles established through civil law, which makes it hard to understand how the tax authority can override and reclassify the terms of an agreement entered into by two parties. As the economic consequences should be a direct effect of the terms of said agreement/arrangement, the tax authority should not, under the principle of legality, be able to reclassify the legally binding agreement. In recent years a number of cases have stated that the "principle of transparency" cannot be applied. Despite this the tax authority still applies this principle. Even if the Supreme Administrative Court believes that it has given a clear interpretation of how to apply the “principle of transparency” additional case law is needed.

<p>För att förhindra att skattskyldiga utnyttjar lagstiftningen på ett sätt som lagstiftaren inte avsett används stopp- och speciallagstiftning. Då detta förfarande alltid ligger  steget efter, lagstiftades det om en generalklausul mot skatteflykt.</p><p>Legalitetsprincipen kommer även till uttryck inom skatterätten, ingen skatt utan lag. Detta upprätthåller rättsäkerheten och leder till att skattskyldiga kan förutse de skatterättsliga konsekvenserna av olika rättshandlingar.</p><p>Generalklausulen har ansetts vara svår att tillämpa vilket lett till att det genom praxis framkommit principer om genomsyn. Skatteverket verkar vara av den uppfattningen att det finns en skatterättslig genomsynsmetod. Denna metod förbiser de civilrättsligt giltiga avtalen och ser till den ekonomiska innebörden och beskattar förfarandet därefter. Att se till avtals verkliga innebörd är något som är vanligt förekommande på det civilrättsliga området. Det brukar sägas att skatterätten bygger på civilrättsliga grunder, det är därför anmärkningsvärt att, som Skatteverket gör, åsidosätta eller omkaraktärisera civilrättsliga avtal. Det förefaller snarare vara så att de ekonomiska konsekvenserna är en direkt följd av de civilrättsliga, vilket leder till att en skatterättslig genomsyn inte är tillämplig.</p><p>Under de senaste åren har det kommit flera avgöranden som säger att en skatterättslig genomsyn inte kan tillämpas. Trots detta fortsätter Skatteverket att tillämpa principen. Även om Regeringsrätten har sin ställning klar verkar det som om det behövs flera, tydliga, domar för att Skatteverket ska inse att det inte längre går att genomföra en skatterättslig genomsyn.</p> / <p>To prevent taxpayers from using the law in a way that the legislator never intended, i.e. abusing its meaning, the legislator constantly introduced new legislation. As this methodology always is reactive as opposed to proactive, the legislator enacted legislation against tax evasive actions - the general anti-avoidance rule.</p><p>The principle of legality is affecting not only the civil but also the tax legislation, no law no tax. This ensures the legal security and leads to taxpayers being able to foresee the tax consequences of certain legal transactions.</p><p>The general anti-avoidance rule has been found difficult to apply, why case law has lead to the establishment of a "principle of transparency" (similar to the concept of substance over form). This principle overrides the legally binding agreements entered into by two parties, and aims at determining the true substance of the transactions undertaken under the agreement. The findings made by the tax authority in this process are then deemed to be the correct basis for taxation. It is generally said that the tax law is based on the principles established through civil law, which makes it hard to understand how the tax authority can override and reclassify the terms of an agreement entered into by two parties. As the economic consequences should be a direct effect of the terms of said agreement/arrangement, the tax authority should not, under the principle of legality, be able to reclassify the legally binding agreement.</p><p>In recent years a number of cases have stated that the "principle of transparency" cannot be applied. Despite this the tax authority still applies this principle. Even if the Supreme Administrative Court believes that it has given a clear interpretation of how to apply the “principle of transparency” additional case law is needed.</p>

本研究探討稅率差異是否會影響台商海外子公司股利匯回。由於台灣目前對於國外稅額扣抵的方法採的是直接扣抵法，與大部分國家所採的國外所得免稅法及間接扣抵法不同，因此對於海外子公司只有在扣繳稅率若高於台灣營利事業所得稅率時，才必須負擔匯回的稅負。本研究將稅率差異的部分，分為海外子公司平均稅率以及扣繳稅率，來觀看在這兩個稅率之下對於股利匯回的影響。研究結果顯示，當國外扣繳稅率高於我國營利事業所得稅率時，其匯回的數目會降低，表示扣繳稅率的確是會阻礙公司股利匯回的一項障礙；但是當海外的平均公司稅率越高，則股利匯回的數目會增加，本研究認為盈餘大部分皆從稅率較高的國家匯回，因此導致這樣的結果。最後本研究將對台灣目前對於股利匯回的稅制進行建議，以健全台灣目前對於企業課稅的稅制。 / This study investigates the relationship between the tax rates and the dividend repatriation among the overseas subsidiaries of Taiwanese companies. Due to the adoption of “the direct method” for foreign tax credit, different from other countries, the Taiwanese companies will afford repatriation tax when they repatriate dividends from the countries whose withholding tax rates are higher than Taiwanese corporate tax rate. The difference of tax rates between countries defined in this study consists of two parts－average tax rate of overseas subsidiaries and withholding tax rates. And the result is the higher withholding tax rates overseas subsidiaries afford, the lower dividends are repatriated, which means the withholding tax is the barrier of the dividend repatriation. Another result shows the higher the overseas subsidiaries average corporate tax rates, the more dividend repatriates, which suggests that the dividends repatriate from the countries with higher corporate tax rate. Finally, this study also gives some recommendations for the Taiwanese tax policy about dividend repatriations in order to reform the corporate tax system.