Qualification of Services Under Double Tax Treaties in Brazil : Open Issues After Iberdrola Case

Qualification of Services Under Double Tax Treaties in Brazil : Open Issues After Iberdrola Case
Author: L. Freitas de Moraes e Castro
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2017
Genre:
ISBN:

This article analyses the discussion regarding the tax assessment of withholding income tax on service fees paid from Brazil to other countries that have entered into a double tax treaty with it. Mainly, after the judicial precedent known as the Iberdrola case, the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice left without analysis several issues that may play a role against future discussions on the qualification of such income under the treaty, namely the possible application of Article 12 and Article 14 to such streams of income. Although the Iberdrola case was favourable to taxpayers, since it applied Article 7 to prevent Brazil from levying the withholding tax of service payments from Brazil to Spain, it has failed to discuss if the technical service fees would be qualified under Royalties - due to a specific protocol stating so - or Independent Personal Services - due to specific wording of the double tax treaties entered into by Brazil. Due to this short-sided view of Brazilian courts, taxpayers should be aware that the precedents on the matter so far left out important issues to be examined, which can be crucial in case of a shift of position on the subject, in the near future.

The Taxation of Fees for Technical Services on the Basis of Article 12A UN Model Convention

The Taxation of Fees for Technical Services on the Basis of Article 12A UN Model Convention
Author: David Orzechowski-Zölzer
Publisher: Kluwer Law International B.V.
Total Pages: 330
Release: 2024-05-21
Genre: Law
ISBN: 9403543078

Although rules on the allocation of taxing rights for fees for technical services have been provided for in bilateral tax treaties by African, Asian, and South American countries for decades, it was only in the 2017 update that the UN Model Tax Treaty included Article 12A on the matter, thus suggesting its inclusion in the tax treaty network of its Member States. Consequently, from a cross-border perspective, the interpretation of Article 12A is of great importance for both taxpayers and tax authorities. This book presents the first comprehensive analysis of the scope of technical services in comparison to ordinary (non-technical) services and the differentiation between Article 12A and other allocation rules of the UN Model. The book’s analysis focuses on the interpretation of the concept of technical services by examining the historical evolution of Article 12 of the OECD and UN Models and the systematic context in which it is embedded. Aspects of this analysis examined include the following: the base-erosion principle as justification for establishing source taxing rights without the physical presence of the service provider in the state in which fees for technical services arise; whether the term ‘technical’ is sufficiently defined in the Commentaries to the UN Model or whether it shall be ascribed a different meaning to increase legal certainty for tax authorities and taxpayers; relevance of the OECD Model and its Commentaries as the basis for the UN Model and its Commentaries; rules of precedence concerning the application of Article 12A in relation to the other allocation rules of the UN Model; the connection between royalties and fees for technical services; application of Article 12A UN Model to challenges arising from the digitalized economy; and the allocation of taxing rights for fees for technical services rendered in a third state. Tax treaties of selected African countries are examined, as these countries were the earliest adopters of the concept of fees for technical services into their tax treaty network. The book also provides an overview of literature and jurisprudence on country practices in Brazil, India, and other countries, as well as relevant documents of international organizations. This book provides practitioners, government officials, and academics with a deep understanding of the interpretation and application of Article 12A UN Model. It will prove of great value in preparing for tax treaty negotiations and also in informing and advising enterprises that intend to conduct business in developing countries through the provision of specialized services.

Electricity Auctions

Electricity Auctions
Author: Luiz Maurer
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 181
Release: 2011-07-25
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 082138824X

Electricity-contract auctions have been getting increased attention as they have emerged as a successful mechanism to procure new generation capacity and. This book presents a comprehensive overview of international experiences in auction design and implementation.

Landlocked Countries in South America

Landlocked Countries in South America
Author: United Nations
Publisher: United Nations Publications
Total Pages: 82
Release: 2009
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9789211216943

This report analyses the current state of the landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) Bolivia and Paraguay. It analyses the traditional topics: infrastructure at national level and connectivity towards adjacent countries; the recent development in international laws and treaties; and cross-border operation. The report also evaluates the level of international transport costs and the potential impact on trade. It further presents the currently induced over costs in logistic chains, which pose an additional burden to the competitiveness of the countries.

Governance and Sustainability

Governance and Sustainability
Author: David Crowther
Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2020-10-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1800431538

An analysis of the issues raised concerning both sustainability and governance and an investigation of approaches taken to dealing with these issues. The research has been developed by experts from around the world who each look at different issues in different contexts.

Doing Business 2020

Doing Business 2020
Author: World Bank
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2019-11-21
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1464814414

Seventeen in a series of annual reports comparing business regulation in 190 economies, Doing Business 2020 measures aspects of regulation affecting 10 areas of everyday business activity.

2006 Information and Communications for Development

2006 Information and Communications for Development
Author:
Publisher: World Bank Publications
Total Pages: 332
Release: 2006-01-01
Genre: Business
ISBN: 0821363476

"""The report is essential reading for policy makers, government workers, and academics pursuing the goal of equitable, sustainable development across the world."" - N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman and Chief Mentor Infosys Technologies Ltd. Information and communication technology (ICT) is rapidly evolving, changing rich and poor societies alike. It has become a powerful tool for participating in the global economy and for offering new opportunities for development efforts. ICT can and should advance economic growth and reduce poverty in developing countries. It has been 20 years since the first telephone operator was privatized, a little over 10 since the World Wide Web emerged, and 5 since the telecommunications bubble burst. How have the ICT sector and its role in development evolved? What have we learned? How can we move forward? Information and Communications for Development 2006: Global Trends and Policies contains lessons from both developed and developing countries. It examines the roles of the public and private sectors, identifying the challenges and the benefits of adopting and expanding ICT use. The report assesses topics essential to building an information society, including investment, access, diffusion, and country policies and strategies. Assessing what has worked, what hasn't, and why, this report is an invaluable guide for understanding how to capture the benefits of ICT around the world."

Double Taxation and the League of Nations

Double Taxation and the League of Nations
Author: Sunita Jogarajan
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 356
Release: 2018-05-10
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1108383742

Modern-day tax treaties have their foundations in one of the three Model Tax Treaties developed by the League of Nations in 1928. Using previously unexplored archival material, Sunita Jogarajan provides the first in-depth examination of the development of the League's Models. This new research provides insights into questions such as the importance of double taxation versus tax evasion; the preference for source-taxation versus residence-taxation; the influence of theory and practice on the League's work; the development of bilateral rather than multilateral treaties; the influence of developing countries on the League's work; the role of Commentary in interpreting model tax treaties; and the influential factors and key individuals involved. A better understanding of the development of the original models will inform and help guide interpretation and reform of modern-day tax treaties. Additionally, this book will be of interest to scholars of international relations and the development of law at international organisations.

International Taxation of Permanent Establishments

International Taxation of Permanent Establishments
Author: Michael Kobetsky
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 469
Release: 2011-09-15
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1139500228

The effects of the growth of multinational enterprises and globalization in the past fifty years have been profound, and many multinational enterprises, such as international banks, now operate around the world through branches known as permanent establishments. The business profits article (Article 7) of the OECD model tax treaty attributes a multinational enterprise's business profits to a permanent establishment in a host country for tax purposes. Michael Kobetsky analyses the principles for allocating the profits of multinational enterprises to permanent establishments under this article, explains the shortcomings of the current arm's length principle for attributing business profits to permanent establishments and considers the alternative method of formulary apportionment for allocating business profits.

World Energy Outlook 2019

World Energy Outlook 2019
Author: International Energy Agency
Publisher:
Total Pages: 807
Release: 2019-11-13
Genre:
ISBN: 9789264523272

The World Energy Outlook series is a leading source of strategic insight on the future of energy and energy-related emissions, providing detailed scenarios that map out the consequences of different energy policy and investment choices. This year's edition updates the outlooks for all fuels, technologies and regions, based on the latest market data, policy initiatives and cost trends. In addition, the 2019 report tackles some key questions in depth: (i) What do the shale revolution, the rise of liquefied natural gas, the falling costs of renewables and the spread of digital technologies mean for tomorrow's energy supply?; (ii) How can the world get on a pathway to meet global climate targets and other sustainable energy goals?; (iii) What are the energy choices that will shape Africa's future, and how might the rise of the African consumer affect global trends?; (iv) How large a role could offshore wind play in the transformation of the energy sector?; (v) Could the world's gas grids one day deliver low-carbon energy?