Il n'existe pas à l'heure actuelle de définition « officielle » des juridictions fiscales non coopératives, l'appréhension de ces dernières étant particulièrement difficile à cerner. D'où la grande difficulté de les recenser avec exactitude et du même coup de leur donner une désignation géographique précise... Or, cette notion est d'autant plus importante qu'elle est le critère de détermination de territoires à régime fiscal dit « privilégié. » L'étude de la notion des juridictions fiscales non coopératives apparaît dès lors comme fondamentale pour aborder l'approche des législations fiscales internationales dans l'avenir. En effet, à partir de quand sommes-nous en présence d’une juridiction fiscale non coopérative ? Quels critères juridiques adopter pour les définir ? Bref, comment identifier de telles juridictions ? Quelles sont leurs caractéristiques premières ? Combien y'en a-t-il de par le monde et quel est leur poids exact dans l'économie mondiale ? Quelle a été l'évolution de l'approche internationale de ces juridictions dans le passé ? Comment cette approche peut-elle évoluer dans le futur pour tenir compte des contraintes économiques et financières avec la mondialisation ? En réalité, cette ambigüité accompagnant la notion de juridictions fiscales non coopératives, ne relève pas seulement de la simple négligence législative de la part des États qui a priori devraient être chargés de la définir. Bien plus, il s'agit là d'un véritable flou juridique plus ou moins organisé qui contribue grandement à entretenir l'opacité de ces territoires et à faciliter la tentation de l'évasion fiscale. / There is at the moment no "official" definition of the not cooperative fiscal jurisdictions, apprehension of these last ones being particularly difficult to identify. Hence the great difficulty of accurately identifying and thereby give them a specific geographic designation... Now, this notion is especially important as it is the criterion for determining territories Tax System "privileged." The study of the notion of the not cooperative fiscal jurisdictions therefore appears to be fundamental to discuss the approach of international tax laws in the future. Indeed, from when we are in the presence of a non cooperative fiscal jurisdiction? What legal criteria to adopt to define them? In brief, how identify such jurisdictions? What are their first characteristics? How much has it to it throughout the world and which is their exact weight in the world economy? What was the evolution of the international approach of these jurisdictions in past? How can this approach evolve in the future to take into account economic and financial constraints with the globalization? In reality, this ambiguity accompanying the notion of not cooperative fiscal jurisdictions, recover not only from the simple legislative negligence on behalf of the States which a priori should be in charge of defining it. Much more, it is about a real more or less organized vagueness of the law there which contributes largely to maintain the opacity of these territories and to facilitate the temptation of the tax evasion.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (specialising in Taxation). / There has been significant advances in the international arena with regards to global economic growth and trade, as well as enormous competition by countries to attract inward foreign direct investment from multinational enterprises (MNEs) to ensure the sustainability of their own economies. Fundamentally the contentious issue is the possibility of double taxation (DT), due to the dual residency of the MNE. The MNE operates in various markets which results in cross-border transactions, whether physical or electronic, and this ultimately means that different tax jurisdictions will become applicable and enforceable by each relevant country. These dual resident MNEs could be seen as a tax resident in both countries and thus be liable for tax obligations in both of these countries. This would therefore lead to the same income incurring DT or double non-taxation (DNT), which would have a devastating impact on that MNE. This lead to the establishment of double taxation treaties, agreements and conventions (DTA’s), between various countries which are aimed at addressing this imbalance. As technology advances at an alarming rate, so too does the possibility of abuse of tax treaties. Two important criteria are ‘the place of effective management’ (POEM) and the ‘permanent establishment’ (PE), which are critical to the determination of the correct tax jurisdiction where the dual resident MNE will incur various tax liabilities. These concepts, POEM and PE, can be confusing but are imperative, in order to prevent DT, and which could prejudice the relevant fiscus, as well as an attempt to avoid any conflict between the taxing regimes. An interesting facet of the POEM and PE conundrum is the interpretation by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (’the OECD’) Model Tax Convention (MTC) compared to the interpretations by the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Another area of contention for MNEs is the current enormous global focus on the concept of Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), which is under great scrutiny, and is of great concern for the majority of revenue authorities. These authorities are intensifying their focus on improving and enforcing anti-avoidance provisions to prevent taxation leakage in their respective tax jurisdictions. This shift in priorities opposes one of a MNE’s main business objectives which is to maximize profits, by either diverting, extracting and/or distributing profits out of a high tax paying jurisdiction into a lower tax paying jurisdiction. This will consequently create an additional business risk which emphasises the need for international tax expertise. The international tax expert is a valuable business team member, as their knowledge and expertise is imperative for the mitigation of possible tax risks, correct interpretation and application of the relevant tax legislation on the business flows of the MNEs as a result of operational expansion or any cross-border transactions or activities. Key Words: Taxation, Tax Treaties, Agreements, BEPS, Conventions; Cross-border, Double Taxation; Dual Residency; International tax, Multinational enterprises; Permanent Establishment, Place of Effective Management; OECD Model Tax Convention; Tax Intelligence, Tax Jurisdictions

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (specialising in Taxation) Johannesburg, 2014 / Base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) is a key concern in international tax. In 2010 the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was tasked with the study of BEPS. In 2013 the OECD released the study report “Addressing base erosion and profit shifting” emphasising BEPS and the risk for the world’s economies and tax bases. The OECD has been focused on BEPS due to several reasons, namely; increase in globalisation, an ever-changing digital economic environment, mismatches of different countries’ tax legislation and the ease with which intellectual property can be transferred. They has released several documents detailing the risk of BEPS as well as an action plan outlining their aim for the transformation of local and international tax. According to the OECD corporate income taxes, as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) is a possible indication of base erosion. In South Africa, the corporate income tax rate as a percentage of GDP has decreased from 7.2 % in 20081 to 5% in 20132. Is this a possible indication of base erosion or profit shifting taking place? Protecting South Africa’s tax base is paramount for future growth of the country and the economy. It is therefore important to identify whether BEPS is a real risk and to determine whether South Africa has adequate legislation in place to protect its tax base. Keywords: Base erosion and profit shifting, BEPS, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, international tax, transfer pricing, thin capitalisation, treaty abuse, treaty shopping

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Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:25:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigo Dalcin Rodrigues.pdf: 739141 bytes, checksum: 2533ddc06adeaa944da9085cb574d2b8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-06-21 / This paper aims at analysing the relationship through which is established a liaison of the international tax law (in means of treaties) with the Brazilian law arrangement, comparing it to the approach given by the doctrine to this matter. This paper aims, as well, at identifying and describing the way through which the laws created in ensemble by States are applicable under real tax-related situations both for the payer and the taxed object. Besides, it was also analysed the corroborations given to the characterisation and definition of the law underscoring the language in use, and its prescriptive function, as well as the laws makeup, digressing the enunciated-enunciation, the enunciated-enunciated, the prescriptive enunciations, rules, principles and law norms. Then the expiry and the efficiency are defined as requirements imposed by the laws to their own promptness, as the law regulates its own production. It was also conducted an enquiry of the steps followed by the creation of a tax-related international treaty, stressing the legitimate ones to accomplish it, as well as the procedures to be observed in its production and enforcement, through the international and home law perspectives. Bringing the paper to completion there is an explanation on the divergence that lies in the comprehension and description of the connection of the international tax law and the intern home law. The conclusion obtained is that the Brazilian law allows the application of international laws prior to the home ones, handicapping the efficiency of home laws until the treaties are brought to an end / Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a relação pela qual se dá o acoplamento do direito internacional tributário (manifestado através de tratados) com o ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, confrontando-o com a descrição que a doutrina faz dessa matéria. Busca-se identificar e descrever a forma pela qual o direito produzido em conjunto pelos Estados é aplicável a situações fáticas tributárias relacionadas aos mesmos, tanto em função da pessoa, quanto da situação ou do objeto tributado. Além disso, analisam-se as evidências que caracterizam e permitem a definição do direito, atentando para sua linguagem, que é dotada de função prescritiva, e também para o processo de produção do direito, distinguindo a enunciação-enunciada, o enunciado-enunciado, os enunciados prescritivos, as regras, os princípios e as normas jurídicas. Após, são definidas a validade, a vigência e a eficácia, como requisitos impostos pelo próprio direito à sua coercibilidade, dado ao fato de que o próprio direito regula sua produção. É feita também a análise do processo de produção dos tratados internacionais em matéria tributária, atentando para as pessoas que possuem legitimidade para produzi-los, bem como os procedimentos a serem observados na sua produção e também para impor sua aplicação, em face do direito internacional e do direito interno. Por fim, são abordadas questões em que pairam divergências na compreensão e na descrição da relação entre o direito internacional tributário e o direito tributário interno. A conclusão a que se chega é a de que o direito brasileiro permite a aplicação dos tratados internacionais em matéria tributária em vez da legislação interna, afastando a eficácia desta até que haja extinção dos tratados

O tema da presente tese é o contexto referido no art. 3 da CM-OCDE para a interpretação e aplicação de termos não definidos nos textos de convenções fiscais. O Brasil e os seus acordos de bitributação são adotados como referenciais, embora também seja investigada a jurisprudência de uma série de outros países quanto à interpretação e aplicação de suas convenções fiscais. A Introdução apresenta o tema, o problema, a hipótese, o objetivo e as principais questões analisadas na tese, seguidas de considerações propedêuticas necessárias ao desenvolvimento de todo o trabalho. O Capítulo I se ocupa: (i) do sentido de contexto referido no art. 3 da CM-OCDE; (ii) do seu relacionamento com a cláusula de reenvio ao Direito doméstico prevista no mesmo dispositivo e; (iii) dos critérios formais, funcionais e materiais de reconhecimento de evidências sob o escopo do contexto. O Capítulo II analisa o chamado contexto intrínseco e identifica: (i) quais evidências seriam abrangidas pelo contexto intrínseco, a exemplo do texto do acordo de bitributação, seu preâmbulo e anexos, documentos elaborados em conexão com o tratado, protocolos e acordos posteriores celebrados pelos Estados contratantes, bem como; (ii) quais técnicas seriam úteis à exploração de tais evidências, como métodos sintáticos, semânticos de interpretação do texto do acordo como um todo, testes comparativos da função e do sentido dos termos no acordo de dupla tributação como um todo, a identificação dos objetivos e propósitos do acordo a partir de detalhes de cada uma de suas partes. O Capítulo III analisa o chamado contexto extrínseco primário, especialmente com vistas aos procedimentos amigáveis, às práticas seguidas pelos Estados (autoridades fiscais, judiciárias e legislativas) para a aplicação de acordos de dupla tributação e aos parallel treaties. O Capítulo IV aborda o chamado contexto extrínseco secundário, que compreende as decisões de Cortes nacionais de terceiros Estados, a doutrina dos publicistas mais qualificados das diferentes Nações, a Convenção Modelo da OCDE e os seus respectivos Comentários, os trabalhos preparatórios, os atos unilaterais quanto à intenção dos Estados contratantes e as circunstâncias relacionadas à conclusão da convenção fiscal. / This thesis deals with the context referred to in the art. 3 (2) of the OECD Model Tax Convention to interpretation and application of terms not defined in tax treaties. It adopts the Brazilian system and its tax treaties as reference, although it also analyzes the cases law from a number of other countries regarding the interpretation and application of its tax treaties. The Introduction presents the theme, the problem, the hypothesis, the goal and the key issues addressed by the thesis, followed by propaedeutic considerations needed to develop the whole study. The Chapter I deals with: (i) the meaning of context referred to in the art. 3 (2) of the OECD Model Tax Convention; (ii) the precedence between the context and the domestic law (general renvoi clause) and; (iii) the formal, functional and material criteria for recognition of evidences under the scope of the context. The Chapter II examines the so-called intrinsic context, in order to: (i) identify some evidences under its scope, such as the tax treaty text, its preamble and annexes, materials prepared in connection with the convention, protocols and subsequent agreements concluded by the Contracting States, as well as; (ii) which methods would be useful to handle such materials, such as syntactic and semantic methods, comparative tests of the function and meaning terms at the whole treaty, as well the identification of the objectives and purposes of the agreement from the details of each of its parts. The Chapter III analyses the so-called primary extrinsic context, which includes mutual agreement procedures, practices followed by the fiscal, judicial and legislative authorities for the application of tax treaties and the parallel treaties. The Chapter IV deals with the so-called secondary extrinsic context, which comprises decisions of national courts of third States, the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists of the various nations, the OECD Model Tax Convention and their Commentaries, preparatory works, unilateral materials about the intention of the parts and circumstances occurred at the time of the conclusion of the tax treaty.

A tese que apresento perante a Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo tem por foco a análise dos mecanismos de controle da dupla-tributação apurados pelas Convenções Fiscais Bilaterais e os princípios decorrentes dos Tratados Comerciais, especialmente o de não-concessão de subsídios e o tratamento da nação mais favorecida. Tomando como pano de fundo a relação entre os países desenvolvidos e em desenvolvimento, demonstro que a resistência dos Estados exportadores de capital na implementação das cláusulas de crédito fictício nas Convenções Fiscais Bilaterais é injustificada, prestando-se unicamente para dar prevalência à tributação com base na residência, em detrimento da neutralidade fiscal em face dos Estados de fonte dos rendimentos. Ainda, colocada a relação entre os fundamentos da celebração de Convenções Fiscais Bilaterais, afasto a possibilidade de o regime delas decorrente ser estendido a terceiros por força da cláusula do tratamento da nação mais favorecida constante do GATT e de outros Tratados Comerciais. / This thesis makes an analysis of the mechanisms of control of the double-taxation thickened by the Bilateral Fiscal Conventions and the principles of the Commercial Agreements, especially the one of no-concession of subsidies and the treatment of the most-favored-nation. Taking as backdrop the relationship among the developed countries and indevelopment countries, I demonstrate that the resistance of Capital Exporters States in the negotiating fictitious credit in the Bilateral Fiscal Conventions is unjustified, being only rendered to maintain to the taxation based in the residence, avoiding the fiscal neutrality in face of States of source of the revenues. Still, placed the relationship among the foundations of the Bilateral Fiscal Conventions, I move away the possibility of the regime of them to be extended in favor of Third Countries using the GATTs most favored nation clause.

O fenômeno jurídico denominado dupla tributação internacional ocorre quando dois ou mais Estados soberanos submetem uma mesma pessoa (física ou jurídica), num mesmo período de tempo, ao pagamento de tributos comparáveis, em razão de um mesmo fato gerador. Embora não seja proibida expressamente por qualquer princípio geral de Direito Internacional, a dupla tributação é altamente indesejável em virtude de seus efeitos danosos à economia e, indiretamente, à sociedade em geral. Em vista disso, desde o século XIX os Estados nacionais vêm tentando implementar soluções para o problema, dentre as quais se incluem as chamadas convenções de bitributação, cujo objetivo consiste exatamente em evitar ou, ao menos, minimizar este pernicioso fenômeno. As normas contidas nestas convenções atuam atribuindo a competência tributária ora a um, ora a outro Estado, dependendo do tipo de rendimento, e, desta forma, limitam a soberania fiscal dos Estados contratantes. Considerando a enorme diversidade de ordenamentos jurídicos, bem como a grande facilidade com que são estruturadas novas operações comerciais e, até mesmo, a diversidade de idiomas, conclui-se que a eficácia das normas destas convenções é essencialmente dependente das formas e métodos de interpretação e aplicação de suas cláusulas. As entidades dedicadas ao estudo do tema, notadamente a Organização para a Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico - OCDE, a Organização das Nações Unidas - ONU e também a International Fiscal Association - IFA constantemente elaboram estudos que contém recomendações de critérios a serem seguidos pelos países para a interpretação e aplicação das convenções. Contudo, em face das incompatibilidade entre os ordenamentos, em virtude dos frequentes reenvios ao direito interno dos países, e, muitas vezes, em decorrência dos próprios conflitos de interesses econômicos entre os países, nem sempre os critérios de interpretação tradicionais, ou seja, aqueles já propostos pela OCDE, ONU e mesmo pela IFA, são capazes de resolver os conflitos interpretativos e/ou de qualificação de forma a possibilitar o maior grau de eficácia de tais acordos. Assim, surge a necessidade de uma solução alternativa para o problema. Propomos, desta forma, a aplicação da teoria da argumentação jurídica com o objetivo de facilitar o raciocínio e manter a discussão sobre a interpretação das cláusulas, termos e expressões o máximo possível na esfera internacional, evitando o reenvio ao direito interno e preenchendo as lacunas deixadas pelos critérios tradicionais, possibilitando, assim, maior eficácia das normas convencionais. / International double taxation occurs when to or more sovereign states impose comparable taxes to the same person or legal entity within the same period of time. Although it is not expressly forbidden by any International Law rule or principle, international double taxation is highly undesirable as a result of it harmful effects to the countries economy and society in general. In view of this, since the 19th century countries have been trying to provide solutions for the problem, and among these possible solutions the double taxation conventions stand out as a way to avoid or at least minimize this harmful phenomenon. The rules provided in these conventions work by allocating the taxing power either to one or to the other contracting state, depending on the type of income, and, therefore, double taxation conventions do represent a limitation to the tax sovereignty of the contracting states. Considering the enormous diversity of legal systems, as well as the profusion of structures that may be used for commercial transactions, and even due to the variety of languages, it is possible to conclude that the efficiency level of double taxation conventions considerably depends on the way and on the methods pursuant to which their clauses are interpreted and applied. The international entities dedicated to analyze and suggest solutions for these issues, especially the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development - OECD, the United Nations - UN and also the International Fiscal Association - IFA are constantly searching for solutions and also recommending some criteria to the interpretation and application of these conventions. These criteria compose the traditional, also called classical, method of interpretation. Nevertheless, due to the incompatibilities between legal systems, as well as in virtue of the frequent recourse to national law, and sometimes due to the conflicts of economical interests between the countries, the traditional criteria already proposed by the OECD, UN and IFA for the interpretation and application of double tax conventions become quite inefficient, and, as a result of this, double taxation remains a problem. Therefore, there is an urging need for an alternative solution. Thence, we propose the application of the Theory of Legal Argumentation in order to facilitate the process of interpretation and legal reasoning regarding clauses, terms and expressions, avoiding, thus, the recourse to national law and also filling the gaps existing in the traditional criteria, for the purpose of allowing larger efficiency of conventional rules.

如何使企業所負擔之租稅成本降至最低之租稅規劃，對於企業的生存與競爭具有莫大的影響力。個案公司以境外公司之名義報價與接單，並透過OBU帳戶收受佣金收入，將利潤保留在境外公司，但營業費用卻於台灣公司認列，使得因三角貿易賺得之佣金收入是否歸屬於境外來源所得而免稅，一直為爭議性之話題。 　　為避免將利潤保留在境外公司而不匯回，擬於所得稅法修正草案中將決議分配股利時才認列投資收益，改成依照財務會計上之權益法認列投資收益。並配合響應政府提倡亞太營運中心計劃及經發會提出健全資金回流機制，增（修）訂促進產業升級條例第七十條之一及兩岸人民關係條例第二十四條第二項，並開放OBU得與大陸地區金融機構直接通匯。 　　根據以上結論，本研究提出建議如下： 　　一、對企業界之建議 　　企業進行國際租稅規劃時，應把握合法性、注重實質、評估規劃之成本效益及考慮相關法令變遷之風險等四項原則。 　　二、對政府修法之建議 　　　1.發展台灣成為營運總部之租稅配合措施 　　　　(1)加強簽署國際租稅協定 　　　　(2)建議評估營利事業所得稅由屬人主義改採屬地主義之可行性 　　　2.對租稅政策之建議 　　　　(1)反租稅天堂措施之建議 　　　　(2)重新檢討所得稅法等有關涉外法規之適用 　　　3.我國現行稽核制度的改進意見 　　　　(1)加強國際租稅人才的培訓 　　　　(2)提昇稅務稽查技術 　　　　(3)增強稽核人力素質 / Using case study method and by interviews with field experts, this thesis studies the application of OBU (off-shore banking unit) in international tax planning. Planning to decrease tax costs has long been an important task for multinational companies to compete in the international market. To avoid paying domestic taxes, companies can structure transactions by the name of offshore subsidiaries and receive commissions through their OBU accounts. Consequently, profits are reserved in the offshore companies but costs of running business are claimed in Taiwan's tax returns. Under certain circumstances, commissions earned from this kind of triangle trading are tax-free, causing substantial losses of tax revenues to Taiwanese government. The thesis discusses this controversial issue relating to commissions from triangle trading. 　　To encourage remitting back profits generated in overseas, the tax law for taxes on investment income should be changed. This thesis suggests the use of equity method for recognizing investment income for tax purposes. Further, the regulation on banking operations between Taiwan and China also needs to be revised to expedite the transfer of fund across the strait. The thesis suggests the opening of direct remittance between Taiwan's OBUs and China's banks. 　　In summary, in devising an effective tax planning, companies should take into account both tax and nontax costs, and keep abreast of the risks of changes in tax laws and governmental policies. As for the government to develop Taiwan as the headquarter of global operation, promotion of the international tax agreements is essentially important to help firms avoid double taxation. Further, to attract more international companies investing in Taiwan, the government should evaluate the feasibility and impacts of shifting the taxation principle of corporations from worldwide taxation to territorial taxation.

This thesis examines whether the fundamental freedoms of the EC Treaty prescribe most-favoured-nation (MFN) treatment. The right to MFN treatment concerns the issue whether taxpayers resident in one Member State can “cherry-pick” the most beneficial tax treaty available to other taxpayers. Two issues of fundamental impor-tance are examined in this thesis. First, whether a resident of a Member State (A) who receives income in another Member State (B), can claim from that state, the most beneficial tax treaty available to a resident of a third Member State (C). Second, whether a resident can claim from his state of residence (A), the same tax treatment as provided in a tax treaty concluded by his state of residence and another Member State (C), when this tax treaty provides better treatment in terms of avoiding double taxa-tion in the state of residence than the tax treaty applicable to the source of income (B). The ECJ has held that discrimination arises only through the application of different rules to comparable situations or the application of the same rule to different situa-tions. The current state of EC law prohibits unequal treatment of residents and non-residents as well as residents who have exercised their rights to free movement in comparison to residents who have not. The condition is that they must be considered to be in comparable situations and that there is no objective difference to justify the difference in treatment. The ECJ has so far not ruled on the MFN issue. It is there-fore uncertain as to whether Member States are obligated to treat; 1) different non-resident taxpayers equally and, 2) whether Member States are prohibited from treat-ing their own residents differently when they exercise their rights to free movement in different Member States. This thesis identifies the requirements for the application of MFN treatment and ex-amines in which tax treaty provisions it is possible to apply MFN treatment. The ECJ, has in its case law, concluded that the application of tax treaties must be exer-cised in accordance EC law. It can be argued that a well-functioning internal market cannot allow bilateral tax treaties to provide preferential tax treatment to residents of one Member State, while denying it to residents of the remaining Member States. However, the application of MFN treatment could have far-reaching ramifications on the Member States’ existing tax treaty network. It is therefore fair to assume, as has been stated in other doctrinal opinions, that the ECJ will approach this issue care-fully when providing its interpretation on the matter.