Transfer Pricing Implications of the B.E.P.S. Action Plan

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Determined to eliminate so-called “double non-taxation,” as well as no or low taxation, associated with practices that are perceived to segregate taxable income from the activities that generate them, the Group of Twenty (“G20”) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“O.E.C.D.”) released their Action Plan on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“B.E.P.S. Action Plan”) in 2013. Included in the B.E.P.S. Action Plan are several provisions related to transfer pricing:

• Action 4: Limit base erosion via interest deductions and other financial payments;
• Action 8: Assure that transfer pricing outcomes are in line with value creation – Intangibles;
• Action 9: Assure that transfer pricing outcomes are in line with value creation – Risks and capital;
• Action 10: Assure that transfer pricing outcomes are in line with value creation – Other high-risk transactions; and
• Action 13: Re-examine transfer pricing documentation.

The O.E.C.D. has since delivered a number of reports and recommendations related to these actions, including revisions to the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations (“Transfer Pricing Guidelines”), and it continues to perform additional work on deliverables scheduled for later this year.

Improving Dispute Resolution: The World of B.E.P.S.

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The Discussion Draft on Action plan 14 (the “Draft”) received an overwhelming response. On January 19, 2015, the O.E.C.D. published over 400 pages of comments on how to make dispute resolution mechanisms more effective.

Many believe that as a result of the B.E.P.S. program, the number of treaty-related tax disputes will increase. To accommodate this surge in tax cases, it is crucial to develop an effective dispute resolution mechanism that will enhance cross-border trade.

The Draft reflects a lack of consensus regarding the Mutual Agreement Procedure (“M.A.P.”). Most of the comments support creating a M.A.P. that facilitates final and binding decisions within a set timeframe. It is seen as a step towards improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the B.E.P.S. project as a whole. Creating an efficient M.A.P. will demonstrate the O.E.C.D.’s commitment to creating a mechanism that will provide progress.

Making the M.A.P. mandatory may not be enough, as other issues come into play. Here is a sampling of comments that appear in the 400 pages that were released:

• The fact that the initiative in solving the dispute remains with the Contracting States leaves the taxpayer with a limited role. As a result, the opportunity of having a smoothly functioning M.A.P. with taxpayer input bows to need protecting a States’ right to tax.
• The Draft pointed out that a taxpayer should not have an active role in the M.A.P. This is rooted in the belief that the involvement of the taxpayer will result in a lengthier process, which is more costly to the Contracting States. This observation may not be correct in all cases; the involvement of a taxpayer may motivate the Competent Authorities to promptly reach a good-faith agreement at an accelerated pace.
• Competent Authorities initiate M.A.P. with a belief in the validity of their position. Believing in the justification of their position will make it hard for a Competent Authority to concede. As a result, the Competent Authorities may have difficulty in preserving an atmosphere necessary to reach a solution through reconciliation.

B.E.P.S. Action 14: Make Dispute Resolution Mechanisms More Effective

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INTRODUCTION

The O.E.C.D. has continued to publish discussion drafts under its 15-part action plan (the “B.E.P.S. Action Plan”) for combatting base erosion and profit shifting (“B.E.P.S.”), with Action 14 being the most unique.

Action 14, entitled “Make Dispute Resolution Mechanisms More Effective,” provides as follows:

Develop solutions to address obstacles that prevent countries from solving treaty-related disputes under MAP, including the absence of arbitration provisions in most treaties and the fact that access to MAP and arbitration may be denied in certain cases.

While most components of the B.E.P.S. Action Plan address the problems caused by base erosion and profit shifting, the recently proposed discussion draft for Action 14 (“Discussion Draft” or “Draft”) addresses the mutual agreement procedures (“M.A.P.”) used to resolve treaty-related disputes. Action 14 addresses the current obstacles faced by taxpayers seeking M.A.P. relief to avoid economic double taxation and provides suggestions as to how to revise provisions in order to improve the integration of M.A.P. dispute resolution mechanisms. The O.E.C.D. describes it as a unique opportunity to overcome traditional obstacles and to provide effective relief through M.A.P. The Discussion Draft proposes complementary solutions that are intended to have a practical and measurable impact, rather than merely providing additional guidance which may not be followed.

U.S.-Based Pushback on B.E.P.S.

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INTRODUCTION

In addition to the aggressive actions by some foreign countries to levy more taxes on U.S. taxpayers before a consensus has been reached, the process established by the O.E.C.D. raises serious questions about the ability of the United States to fully participate in the negotiations.

Ultimately, we believe that the best way for the United States to address the potential problem of B.E.P.S. is to enact comprehensive tax reforms that lower the corporate rate to a more internationally competitive level and modernize the badly outdated and uncompetitive U.S. international tax structure.

So say Representative Dave Camp (R) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R), two leading Republican voices in Congress, on the O.E.C.D.’s B.E.P.S. project.

Does this somewhat direct expression of skepticism represent nothing more than U.S. political party politicking or a unified U.S. government position that in fact might be one supported by U.S. multinational corporations? The thought of the two political parties, the Administration and U.S. industry agreeing on a major political/economic issue presents an interesting, if unlikely, scenario. This article will explore that scenario.

OVERVIEW OF B.E.P.S./WHY B.E.P.S.?/WHY NOW?

Base erosion and profit shifting (“B.E.P.S.”) refers to tax planning strategies that exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules in order to make profits “disappear” for tax purposes or to shift profits to locations where there is little or no real activity and the taxes are low. This results in little or no overall corporate tax being paid.