The Multilateral Instrument (MLI) proposed in OECD BEPS Action 15 will lead to the modification of numerous tax treaties. As tax treaties can have different wording, terminology and structure, a great challenge is to find a proper way to accomplish their modification without distorting the underlying framework or triggering undesirable effects. This book analyses the MLI, which was signed by over seventy jurisdictions on 7 June 2017. The topics covered include: • the procedural mechanisms on how the new measures to prevent base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) will interact with and complement existing tax treaties; • the scope of the MLI in order to ascertain which tax treaties and taxes are covered; • the interpretation of terms used in the MLI and the relationship between the languages used in the MLI and in the particular tax treaties; • the implementation of the minimum standard through the MLI, as well as how states can exercise various options offered by the MLI and reserve the right not to apply certain provisions of the MLI; • the legal consequences of the exercise of options and reservations for the other states; • the notification procedure through which states declare their choices; and • the possibilities and procedure for withdrawal from the obligations entered into upon signing the MLI. Finally, the book discusses whether the mechanism of the MLI can serve as a role model for future changes to the OECD Model Convention. The book incorporates the analyses of leading scholars and practitioners dealing with international tax matters. Critical insights are offered for academics, practitioners, tax officials and judges who deal with or are interested in the field of international taxation.

This report presents studies and data available regarding the existence and magnitude of base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), and contains an overview of global developments that have an impact on corporate tax matters.

The Law of Double Taxation Conventions Cross-border activities or transactions may trigger tax liability in two or more jurisdictions. In order to mitigate the financial burden resulting from these situations, States have entered into numerous double taxation conventions, which provide for rules that allocate the taxing rights between the contracting states. This handbook aims at providing an introduction to the law of double taxation conventions. It is designed for students – irrespective of their national background, but the author believes that it will also be of great help for tax experts who wish to know more about double taxation conventions, as well as for international law experts who wish to understand more about tax law. The handbook does not consider one jurisdiction in particular but rather takes examples from a wide range of different countries and their jurisdictions. It includes an overview of the problem of double taxation, the state practice in the conclusion of double tax conventions and their effects, the interpretation of double taxation conventions and treaty abuse. Furthermore, this updated handbook takes new developments into account occurred since the last edition of the book from 2013, in particular also the changes through OECD’s BEPS project and the Multilateral Instrument. It deals with the latest versions of the OECD Model Tax Conventions on Income and on Capital and the UN Model Double Taxation Convention between Developed and Developing Countries, both published in 2017, as well as the latest version of the OECD Model Double Taxation Convention on Estates and Inheritances and on Gifts.

This Second Edition provides an updated and succinct, yet highly informative overview of the key issues surrounding taxation and international law from Reuven Avi-Yonah, a leading authority on international tax. This small but powerful book surveys the nuances of the varying taxation systems, offering expert insight into the scope, reach and nature of international tax regimes, as well as providing an excellent platform for understanding how the principles of jurisdiction apply to tax and the connected tools that are used by countries in imposing taxes. It includes new material on BEPS, the EU Anti Tax Avoidance Package, and the US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MLI) is the most forceful multilateral initiative to coordinate tax regimes on a worldwide basis since the dawn of modern income taxation over a century ago. This book evaluates two radically opposed viewpoints on the convention—a momentous and revolutionary paradigm shift versus a mechanism that merely continues an ongoing flow of limited policy coordination—with detailed investigations that bring to life the hopes and the realities of the current era of multilateral tax cooperation. Bringing together authors from national jurisdictions across the globe to scrutinize the MLI and its likely future ramifications, the book provides in-depth commentary and analysis in the following sequence: first, a comprehensive discussion of the design and goals of the MLI as a treaty and an institutional framework; second, an overview of the structure of the convention and its take-up across the globe to date; and third, the substantive implementation of the MLI with a wide range of country reports. Practice areas covered include tax law, international law, and international relations. The legal workings and implications of the MLI might still seem mysterious to those whose daily work is impacted by it, and there is as yet little jurisprudence regarding its legal nature or ultimate effect on the bilateral treaties coming within its scope. For these reasons, this pathbreaking book will be warmly welcomed by in-house counsel and law firms advising cross-border investors and firms; nongovernmental organizations involved in policy analysis and issue advocacy; researchers working on technical areas of international tax law; and lawyers interested in international policymaking, including the creation and diffusion of consensus-based fiscal and related regulatory norms across jurisdictions of differing development levels.

Addressing base erosion and profit shifting is a key priority of governments around the globe. This Explanatory Statement offers an overview of the BEPS Project and outcomes.