Multinational enterprises have been widely accused of using aggressive tax planning schemes to avoid paying tax all over the world. The purpose of this study is to analyse the methods used by multinational enterprises in the context of business restructurings to shift profits from high to low tax jurisdictions. Transactions between associated entities have generally been manipulated by applying non-arm’s length prices to these transactions, as well as devising agreements where the economic substance varies from the form of the transaction. The study aims to investigate some of the practical challenges faced by tax administrators in the application of the arm’s length principle. The study was conducted based on a literature review, as well as analysing specific examples reported in newspapers where multinational enterprises have used aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. International case law was also analysed to evaluate some of the factors considered by the courts in the determination of the arm’s length price. It was found that multinational enterprises definitely use aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. The practical challenges in the determination of arm’s length prices, complexity of the transactions involved, as well as a lack of resources, especially in the developing nations, are some of the factors that cause tax administrators to battle to find a solution to deter and detect these schemes. Other methods such as the unitary taxation method and the country by country reporting concept have been brought forward as alternatives to the arm’s length principle. These alternatives have been proposed in an effort to find a solution to the challenges posed by the arm’s length principle. Specific measures have also been recommended for developing nations’ tax administrators to resolve the issues that they currently experience in this context. / Thesis (MCom (South African and International Taxation))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Multinational enterprises have been widely accused of using aggressive tax planning schemes to avoid paying tax all over the world. The purpose of this study is to analyse the methods used by multinational enterprises in the context of business restructurings to shift profits from high to low tax jurisdictions. Transactions between associated entities have generally been manipulated by applying non-arm’s length prices to these transactions, as well as devising agreements where the economic substance varies from the form of the transaction. The study aims to investigate some of the practical challenges faced by tax administrators in the application of the arm’s length principle. The study was conducted based on a literature review, as well as analysing specific examples reported in newspapers where multinational enterprises have used aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. International case law was also analysed to evaluate some of the factors considered by the courts in the determination of the arm’s length price. It was found that multinational enterprises definitely use aggressive tax planning schemes to shift profits. The practical challenges in the determination of arm’s length prices, complexity of the transactions involved, as well as a lack of resources, especially in the developing nations, are some of the factors that cause tax administrators to battle to find a solution to deter and detect these schemes. Other methods such as the unitary taxation method and the country by country reporting concept have been brought forward as alternatives to the arm’s length principle. These alternatives have been proposed in an effort to find a solution to the challenges posed by the arm’s length principle. Specific measures have also been recommended for developing nations’ tax administrators to resolve the issues that they currently experience in this context. / Thesis (MCom (South African and International Taxation))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Many multinational firms, notably Apple Inc., have engaged in increasingly aggressive tax planning strategies which shift billions of dollars overseas. This paper examines the problem through a case study of Apple, concluding that while many loopholes are utilized, aggressive transfer pricing of intangible assets is the root of the problem. Several solutions are examined before concluding that the best solution is a partial elimination of deferral in the form of a minimum payout share.

The additional tax ("penalties") imposable in terms of section 76(1) of the Income Tax Act (No 58 of 1962) when a taxpayer is in default, can be very harsh (up to 200% of the tax properly chargeable). The Commissioner may, in terms of section 76(2)(a), remit any penalty imposed, as he sees fit. However, when there was intent on the part of the taxpayer to evade the payment of tax, the Commissioner may not remit any portion of the 200% penalty imposable, unless he is of the opinion that "extenuating circumstances" exist. This dissertation examines the meaning of "extenuating circumstances", as interpreted by the judiciary, and lists the factors and defences that a taxpayer may plead to justify a remission of penalties, both in the case of an intention by the taxpayer to evade tax and in cases where the taxpayer is merely in default of section 76(1). / Accounting / MCOM (Accounting)

The thesis examined the current system of the taxation of wealth in South Africa with an emphasis on the taxes that apply upon the death of the taxpayer. The focus of the research was on the problems associated with estate duty, namely the issue of double taxation; the alleged cumbersome administration of the tax and the limited revenue that it brings in; it’s questionable efficacy due to extensive estate planning on the part of taxpayers while they are still alive and its lack of uniformity with other wealth taxes. An interpretative research approach was followed which involved analysing documentary data. The conclusions that were reached were that estate duty as a wealth tax in South Africa has been rendered ineffective due to the inherent problems associated with its application, namely the fact that double taxation exists, not only in the context of capital gains tax, but also in that taxpayers resent being taxed upon death after having paid income tax during their lives. The perceived unfairness that is associated with estate duty has caused the creation of a secondary industry of estate planning, with the aim of minimising estate duty, which industry has resulted in the ineffectiveness of estate duty and its limited revenue. No evidence could be found regarding the Treasury’s assertion that estate duty is a cumbersome tax to administer. The final conclusion reached was that the current estate duty regime needs to be overhauled preferably by extending the current system of capital gains tax and abolishing estate duty, with due consideration being given to the consequences associated therewith.

Submitted by Bruno Nepomuceno (bnepomucenos@gmail.com) on 2017-05-15T18:51:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_depósito-final_15.05.17.pdf: 5007161 bytes, checksum: 28e7652209a104298e7db176a60de312 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Suzinei Teles Garcia Garcia (suzinei.garcia@fgv.br) on 2017-05-15T19:02:12Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_depósito-final_15.05.17.pdf: 5007161 bytes, checksum: 28e7652209a104298e7db176a60de312 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-15T20:03:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação_depósito-final_15.05.17.pdf: 5007161 bytes, checksum: 28e7652209a104298e7db176a60de312 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-03 / The yearning for tax collection, to supply with funds the public coffers, and the freedom to organize the business, with the lowest tax burden as possible, polarized the interests of the government and the taxpayers. Almost a 'shelf product', tax planning has always been a broadly sold strategy. However, the State has changed, the values have changed, and the globalisation dramatized reality, highlighting that the legalistic perspective that had once underpinned with certainty the path through the legal loopholes, in fact, distorted the system, enhanced the non-compliance and tax evasion and, in various ways, jeopardized the tax equality. As an attempt to mitigate its effects, discreet and uncompleted steps were taken (in) in Congress, with the edition of a General Anti-Avoidance Rule, although deprived of regulation, (ii) in the case law, with foreigner innovations, in an endeavor to deal with the rule, and (iii) in the doctrine, to substantiate the postures, usually opposed to any step taken, either from a revenue or business bias. In the midst of all this, several attempts arose to regulate the so-called General Anti-Avoidance Rule. The study outlines, therefore, first and foremost, a terminological panorama with the related figures to the theme and an evolution of the debate in the doctrine. Thereafter, it’s revealed the behavior of the federal administrative court. Before the demands and international guidelines, it seeks to lead the debate to the global level, reasoning possible paradigms, to conclude if they would represent models to be transplanted. Soon after, it ranges the whole legislative construction around the issue, as tries of regulation. Ultimately, all the normative formulations are subjected to tests, on the basis of several criteria, with the intent of that, before the envisaged policy and founded on an argument of economic substance and reservations of business purpose, recommendations be provided for a regulation of the brazilian General Anti-Avoidance Rule. / O anseio de arrecadação, para abastecer os cofres públicos, e a liberdade de organizar os negócios, com a menor carga tributária possível, polarizam os interesses do governo e dos contribuintes. Quase 'produto de prateleira', o planejamento tributário ainda é uma estratégia amplamente vendida. Todavia, o Estado mudou, os valores mudaram, e a globalização dramatizou a realidade, evidenciando que a perspectiva legalista que outrora fundamentou com segurança o percurso por brechas da lei, na verdade, distorceu o sistema, acentuou a sonegação e, por diversas vias, comprometeu a isonomia tributária. Como tentativa de mitigar os efeitos, passos discretos e incompletos foram dados (i) no Congresso, com a edição de uma Norma Geral Antielisiva, mas carente de regulação, (ii) na jurisprudência, com inovações estrangeiras, como tentativa de lidar com a Norma, e (iii) na doutrina, para fundamentar as posturas, geralmente contrárias a qualquer passo dado, seja por viés fiscalista ou empresarial. Em meio a tudo isso, inúmeras tentativas surgiram de se regular a denominada Norma Geral Antielisiva. O estudo traça, então, inicialmente, um panorama terminológico com as figuras correlatas ao tema e uma evolução do debate na doutrina. Em seguida, é revelado o comportamento do tribunal administrativo federal. Diante das demandas e diretrizes internacionais, procura-se levar o debate ao plano global, cogitando possíveis paradigmas, para se concluir se representariam modelos a serem transplantados. Logo depois, percorre-se toda a construção legislativa em torno do tema, como tentativas de regulação. Por fim, todas as formulações normativas são postas à prova com base em critérios diversos, com o propósito de que, diante da política pretendida, baseadas em um argumento de substância econômica e ressalvas de propósito negocial, recomendações sejam dadas para uma regulação da Norma Geral Antielisiva brasileira.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in the economy. However, SMEs face a number of obstacles and impediments that prevent them from developing and growing. Government has introduced a number of initiatives to help develop and promote SMEs but SMEs still face many remaining obstacles and impediments which include non-compliance with tax legislation. The main purpose of this dissertation is thus to help SMEs increase their level of tax compliance by developing a checklist of indicators that will help SMEs reduce the probability of tax errors occurring in respect of the gross income definition and general deduction formula. Other sections of the income tax and other tax types were not considered as the study was confined to the gross income definition and general deduction formula. These untouched areas may be considered in future research / Taxation / M. Compt.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:00:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2272.pdf: 8334544 bytes, checksum: a9fb41afdb769431e813acd163cce26a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-12-18 / Location is a central variable in mathematical models of real estate appraisal. The main goal of this dissertation is to propose a method for the treatment of this variable in a specific kind of appraisal, but very relevant, known as PGV (in Brazil, anything like an assessment roll). Besides being a important instrument of urban tax policies, PGVs also have their usefulness in urban planning for revealing the dynamics of real estate valuation. The study focuses in São Carlos (São Paulo State, Brazil), a city of nearly 210.000 inhabitants. It is a city of intermediary size, whose spatial patterns of real estate valuation are not quite simple, like in small towns, but factors whose effects have maximum expression in the metropolitan environment start to consolidate. The main of them is segregation, and the conditions of competition for the best location occur in the field of real estate market. This study aims to explore the amplitude of the city, with its variability of characteristics, incorporating in the object of study the locations of the urban core and expansion areas. It discusses the influence or correlation of factors such as demand for public services, infrastructures, attributes of location, neighbourhood aspects, urban amenities and aspects of illegality in the composition of the market value of these properties. Thus, diversity and variability of characteristics widen the study of the valuation pattern of the urban land. The innovative approach of this study is to link two fields of knowledge apparently distincts the inferential methodologies of mass evaluation and the studies of intra-urban location. The common potencial issue is tax application. It means, to the local governments, to consider the city as it shows itself, ensuring not only the success in evaluative formulations, but the respect for the principles of fairness that should characterize the tax policies. / A Localização é uma variável central em modelos matemáticos de avaliação imobiliária. A presente dissertação tem como principal objetivo propor um método para o tratamento desta variável em um tipo de avaliação bastante específico, mas de grande relevância, comumente conhecido como Planta de Valores Genéricos (PVG). Além de importante instrumento de políticas tributárias urbanas, as PVG têm grande utilidade no planejamento urbano, ao refletir a dinâmica da valorização imobiliária. O estudo concentra-se em São Carlos (SP), um município de aproximadamente 210.000 habitantes (IBGE 2002). É uma cidade de porte intermediário cujos padrões espaciais de valorização imobiliária não são tão simples, como em pequenos municípios, mas delineiam-se fatores cujos efeitos têm expressão máxima no ambiente metropolitano. Um dos principais deles é a segregação e as condições de competição pelas melhores localizações ocorrem no âmbito do mercado imobiliário. O trabalho procura explorar a amplitude da cidade, com sua variabilidade de características, incorporando ao objeto em estudo as localizações do núcleo urbano e nas áreas de expansão. Trata-se da influência ou correlação de fatores como oferta de serviços, infraestruturas, atributos de localização, aspectos de vizinhança, amenidades urbanas e aspectos de ilegalidade na composição do valor de mercado destes imóveis. Assim, amplia-se a diversidade e variabilidade de características no estudo do padrão de valorização do solo urbano. O enfoque inovador do presente estudo é unir dois campos do conhecimento aparentemente distintos - as metodologias inferenciais de avaliação em massa e os estudos de localização intra-urbana. O tema potencialmente comum é a aplicação tributária. Significa, para os governos municipais, considerar a cidade tal como ela se configura, garantindo-se não só o êxito nas formulações avaliatórias, mas sobretudo o respeito aos princípios de impessoalidade que devem caracterizar as políticas tributárias.

As pesquisas que abordam a temática de planejamento tributário, nas últimas décadas, têm identificado que o tamanho das organizações é um fator determinante à adoção de práticas de planejamento tributário. No entanto, existe certa controvérsia, nessa questão, uma vez que as pesquisas têm encontrado relações tanto positivas quanto negativas entre o tamanho das organizações e o nível de planejamento tributário praticado. Os autores justificam essa relação partindo do pressuposto do custo reputacional, em que empresas maiores possuem maior monitoramento por parte da autoridade tributária e dos demais stakeholders. Outros argumentam que as empresas maiores possuem mais recursos e mais influência política para reduzirem suas cargas tributárias. Porém, ambas análises consideram uma relação linear entre o tamanho das empresas e o nível e planejamento tributário, ignorando particularidades econômicas, financeiras e operacionais das empresas. Tal assunção, considerando todas as empresas numa única amostra, pode-se levar a conclusões controversas, ao considerar que todas as empresas possuem as mesmas estruturas e estratégias ao longo do tempo. Desse modo, essa pesquisa tem por objetivo identificar se o estágio de ciclo de vida organizacional impacta o nível de planejamento tributário. Assim, entende-se que a Teoria do Ciclo de Vida Organizacional distingue as empresas pelas suas estruturas e estratégias adotadas, a exemplo do modelo proposto por Dickinson (2011) o qual classifica os estágios de ciclo de vida a partir da necessidade e disponibilidade de recursos, por meio dos sinais dos fluxos de caixa (operacional, de investimento e de financiamento). Assim, espera-se compreender melhor a relação entre o nível de planejamento tributário e as decisões de endividamento, de intensidade de capital, de investimento em capital de giro e a interação dos mecanismos de governança corporativa nos diferentes estágios de ciclo de vida. Para a realização das análises empíricas foram empregados testes de Kruskal Wallis, regressões de dados em painel e regressões quantílicas com dados anuais das empresas brasileiras de capital aberto que compuseram o índice IBrX 100 da BM&FBOVESPA, no período de 2008 a 2015. Os resultados apontam que as empresas em estágios inicias e avançados de ciclo de vida organizacional possuem maiores níveis de planejamento tributário do que as empresas em estágio de maturidade. Considerando as métricas de planejamento tributário ETR Corrente, BTD e DVA, por ciclo de vida, nos testes de Kruskal Wallis, obteve-se que as empresas em estágios iniciais possuem níveis maiores de planejamento tributários do que as empresas da maturidade. Já nos estágios Avançados, constatou-se que as métricas ETR Corrente, Cash ETR e DVA também apresentam níveis maiores de planejamento tributário do que as empresas maduras. As análises por meio de regressões quantílicas reafirmam esses resultados, para as métricas de BTD e de ETR Corrente. Esses achados remetem à conclusão de que empresas em estágios iniciais possuem menores custos reputacionais devido a maior propensão ao risco, em virtude da sua participação de mercado ainda não estar consolidada. Já as empresas em estágios avançados, dadas as baixas oportunidades de investimento, adotam estratégias menos defensivas, uma vez que nesses estágios não dispõem de condições financeiras e econômicas favoráveis para captar recursos, pois os ativos já estão depreciados e não servem como garantia real. Portanto, as adoções de planejamento tributário nas empresas analisadas indicam que há uma relação entre as particularidades econômicas e financeiras das empresas, classificadas pelos estágios de ciclo de vida, com as estratégias tributárias adotadas para a obtenção de economia fiscal. / Research addressing the issue of tax planning in recent decades, have identified that the size of the organizations is a determining factor for the adoption of tax planning practices. However, there is some controversy in this matter, since research has found both positive and negative relationship between the size of organizations and tax planning practiced. The authors explain this relationship assuming the reputational cost, where larger firms have greater monitoring by the tax authority and other stakeholders. Others argue that larger companies have more resources and more political influence to reduce their tax burdens. However, both research suggests a linear relationship between the size of companies and the level and tax planning, ignoring economic, financial and operational peculiarities of the company. Such an assumption, considering all companies in a single sample, can lead to controversial conclusions, considering that all companies have the same structures and strategies over time. Thus, this research aims to identify the organizational life cycle stage impacts the level of tax planning. Thus, it is understood that the Organizational Life Cycle Theory recognizes companies for their structures and strategies adopted, such as the model proposed by Dickinson (2011) which classifies the stages of life cycle from the need and availability of resources through the signs of the cash flows (operating, investing and financing). Therefore, we hope to better understand the relationship between the level of tax planning and borrowing decisions, capital intensity, investment in working capital and the interaction of corporate governance mechanisms in different stages of life cycle. To carry out the empirical analysis were used Kruskal Wallis test, regressions in data panel and quantile regressions using annual data of Brazilian public companies that composed the IBrX 100 from BM&FBOVESPA, in the period 2008 to 2015. The results show that companies in initial and advanced stages of organizational life cycle have higher tax planning levels than companies in the maturity stage. Considering the tax planning metrics ETR, BTD and DVA by life cycle, in the Kruskal Wallis test was found that the companies in early stages have higher levels of tax planning than the mature companies. Already in the Advanced stages, it was found that the metrics ETR Current, Cash ETR and DVA also have higher levels of tax planning than mature companies. Analyses by quantile regressions reaffirm these results to the metrics of BTD and ETR current. These findings refer to the conclusion that companies in early stages have lower costs reputational due to higher propensity for risk, by virtue of its market share has not yet been consolidated. The companies in advanced stages, given the low investment opportunities, adopt less defensive strategies, since these stages do not have the financial and economic conditions favorable to raise funds because the assets are already depreciated and do not serve as collateral. Therefore, the adoption of tax planning in the analyzed companies indicate that there is a relationship between economic and financial characteristics of companies, classified by the stages of life cycle, with tax strategies adopted to achieve tax savings.

Submitted by Morgana Silva (morgana_linhares@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-13T16:56:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2227911 bytes, checksum: 2235d971a0dbc124711517cf57d7a9d7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-13T16:56:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2227911 bytes, checksum: 2235d971a0dbc124711517cf57d7a9d7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-05 / This master’s thesis has as its theme the aggressive tax planning of multinational companies, through the use of technical differences between different legal systems (hybrid mismatch arrangements). The perspective adopted will be entirely new, by submitting an understandable canon of international tax law, which is the social adequacy of tax. This proposed solution is intended to harmonize the principle of legality and tipicity, with fairness and tax education. It is, above all, a legal system response to formal crisis that hit in tax matters, especially about the unfair distribution of the tax burden arising from aggressive tax planning of multinationals, both foreign and Brazilian. This type of taxpayer behavior generates a number of negative effects on the human right to development, especially in the global financial crisis times. However, this does not mean that this work disregards the importance of formalism of the tax law, which is a legal area of expertise that values certainty and security. The central issue is the popular growth of a sense of injustice that needs to be properly considered. At this point, it appears that the pure positivist model does not have a structure to take care of the dangers resulting from the expansion of globalization and the speed with which everything happens in the XXI century. There is also the great influence of globalization, which makes markets operate in a dynamic way and complex than ever observed. Thus, it can be stated that the justification for the construction of this text is precisely the importance of the fight against the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS): taking into account that all rights have a financial cost as less resources are available for national governments, the most affected are the public policies. That said, I must highlight the difficulties of trying to harmonize the social adequacy of a broad discussion that permeates the relationship between tax law and justice. Even today, this relationship between law and morality is still a field without a definitive answer. And if Hans Kelsen is correct, this may be an academic challenge for which there is no final answer. Maybe just ask a little better. In this line, it should be noted, as wisely emphasized Castanheira Neves, which is given to men who speak and take risks, the right to make mistakes. We will talk and therefore accept the risk. / Essa dissertação de mestrado tem como tema o planejamento tributário agressivo de companhias multinacionais, através do aproveitamento de disparidades técnicas entre diferentes ordenamentos jurídicos (hybrid mismatch arrangements). O viés adotado será inteiramente novo, na forma da apresentação de um cânone compreensivo para o direito tributário internacional, que é a adequação social tributária. Essa proposta de solução visa harmonizar o princípio da legalidade e tipicidade, com a igualdade tributária e a educação fiscal. Trata-se, antes de qualquer coisa, de uma resposta do ordenamento jurídico à crise formalista que se abate sobre o campo dos tributos, mormente diante da injusta divisão da carga tributária decorrente do planejamento agressivo de multinacionais, tanto estrangeiras quanto brasileiras. Esse tipo de comportamento do contribuinte gera uma série de efeitos negativos sobre o direito humano ao desenvolvimento, notadamente em tempos de crise financeira mundial. Entretanto, isso não significa que este trabalho esteja desconsiderando a importância do formalismo para o direito tributário, que é uma área do conhecimento jurídico onde se valoriza muito a certeza e a segurança. A questão central é que cresce na população um sentimento de injustiça que precisa ser devidamente considerado. Nesse momento, parece que o modelo positivista puro não dispõe de estrutura para cuidar dos perigos advindos da expansão da globalização e da velocidade com que tudo acontece no século XXI. Também é posto na balança a globalização que faz com que os mercados operem em uma dinâmica e complexidade nunca antes vista. Dessa forma, pode-se afirmar que a justificativa da construção deste texto está justamente na importância da luta contra a erosão das bases tributáveis dos Estados (BEPS): tendo em conta que todos os direitos possuem um custo financeiro, quanto menor forem os recursos à disposição dos governos nacionais, mais prejudicadas estarão as políticas públicas. Dito isto, necessário ressaltar as dificuldades dessa tentativa de harmonização pela adequação social, em uma discussão ampla que perpassa as relações entre direito tributário e justiça. Até hoje esta relação entre direito e moralidade ainda é um campo sem uma resposta definitiva. E se Hans Kelsen estiver correto, pode não ser um desafio acadêmico ao qual se possa encontrar uma resposta final. Talvez apenas perguntar um tanto melhor. Nessa linha, há de se reconhecer, como sabiamente o pediu Castanheira Neves, que seja concedido aos homens que falam e arriscam, o direito ao próprio erro. Falaremos e, portanto, admitimos o risco.