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Caveat Dominus: A Comparison of Post-Employment Entitlements in the U.S. and Italy When Executive Employment is Terminated Without Cause

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Caveat Dominus: A Comparison of Post-Employment Entitlements in the U.S. and Italy When Executive Employment is Terminated Without Cause

When companies expand business operations across the Atlantic Ocean, various cultural differences between the U.S. and Europe come to the fore.  The most noticeable are found in the area of employment, and among those are expectations of the rights of employers, employees, and executives at the time of termination of employment.  George Birnbaum of the Law Offices of George Birnbaum P.L.L.C. and Ariane Rauber and Fabio Tavecchia of Palmer Studio Legale compare and contrast employee rights in the U.S. and Italy.

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Insights Vol. 4 No. 6: Updates and Tidbits

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This month, Beate Erwin, Astrid Champion, and Nina Krauthamer look briefly at several timely issues, including (i) the return of foreign certified acceptance agents to the passport certification process in connection with the issuance of U.S. I.T.I.N.’s, (ii) the effect of the French election on French tax reform proposals, and (iii) demands for the U.S. to provide the same type of information as is supplied to I.G.A. partner countries.

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I.R.S. Breaks the Silence with Rev. Rul. 2017-09, Issues Guidance on “North-South” Transactions

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I.R.S. Breaks the Silence with Rev. Rul. 2017-09, Issues Guidance on “North-South” Transactions

In Rev. Rul. 2017-09, the I.R.S. addressed “north-south” transactions.  In these transactions, a shareholder transfers property to a corporation in a transaction structured to be free of tax under Code §351.  At about the same time, the corporation distributes shares of its subsidiary to the shareholder in a spinoff.  If the transactions are considered separate for income tax purposes, each can be effected free of gain recognition and the imposition of income tax.  On the other hand, if the transactions are integrated into a single multi-step transaction, gain will be recognized and tax imposed on each step of the arrangement.  The ruling announces that the I.R.S. will once again rule on the status of these transactions and provides guidance on the standard that the I.R.S. will apply.  Rusudan Shervashidze and Nina Krauthamer explain the factual context and the approach of the I.R.S. in granting relief.

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New Proposal for Swiss Corporate Tax Reform

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New Proposal for Swiss Corporate Tax Reform

Through the first ten days of February, Swiss tax advisers were contemplating life after the adoption of the Corporate Tax Reform III (“C.T.R. III”).  Then, the bottom dropped out from under their feet as Swiss voters defeated the tax reform package by an almost 60-40 majority.  Now, a Steering Committee representing the cantons and Swiss Federation has issued T.P. 17, recommending a modified version of corporate tax reform.  Peter von Burg and Dr. Natalie Peter of Staiger Attorneys, Zurich, compare the provisions in T.P. 17 with those in C.T.R. III.

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I.R.S. Pushes to Ease Implementation of Country-by-Country Reporting for U.S. M.N.E.’s

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I.R.S. Pushes to Ease Implementation of Country-by-Country Reporting for U.S. M.N.E.’s

It is widely known that the U.S. is following its own path towards international tax compliance.  It has not signed onto the O.E.C.D.’s Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on the Exchange of Country-by-Country Reports; it does not participate in the Common Reporting Standard; and it did not sign the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent B.E.P.S.  Nonetheless, at the request of U.S. multinationals, the I.R.S. has adopted domestic income tax regulations on country-by-country (“CbC”) reporting.  In May, the I.R.S. confirmed the first bilateral competent authority agreement regarding CbC reporting was signed with the Netherlands.  That agreement has now been followed by agreements with Canada, Denmark, Guernsey, Iceland, Ireland, Korea, Latvia, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, and South Africa.  Galia Antebi and Kenneth Lobo delve into the U.S. rules and forms for CbC reports.

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Sale of a Partnership Interest by a Foreign Partner – Is Rev. Rul. 91-32 Based on Law or Administrative Wishes?

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Sale of a Partnership Interest by a Foreign Partner – Is Rev. Rul. 91-32 Based on Law or Administrative Wishes?

The I.R.S. has a long history in misapplying U.S. tax rules applicable to a sale of a partnership interest.  For U.S. tax purposes, a partnership interest is treated as an asset separate and apart from an indirect interest in partnership assets.  In Rev. Rul. 91-32, the I.R.S. misinterpreted case law and Code provisions to conclude that gains derived by foreign investors in U.S. partnerships are subject to tax.  No one thought the I.R.S. position was correct, but then, in a field advice to an agent setting up an adjustment, the I.R.S. publicly stated that the ruling was a proper application of U.S. law when issued and remains so today. The adjustment was challenged in the Tax Court, and the tax bar is eagerly awaiting a decision.  Stanley C. Ruchelman and Beate Erwin examine the I.R.S. position, the string of losses encountered by the I.R.S. when challenged by taxpayers, and the Grecian Magnesite case awaiting decision.

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Qualified Small Business Stock & the EB-5 Visa Program – An Attractive Combination for Potential Investors

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Qualified Small Business Stock & the EB-5 Visa Program – An Attractive Combination for Potential Investors

Ever heard of qualified small business stock (“Q.S.B.S.”) as a means of investing in start-up companies?  Although it is not typically thought of as a tax planning tool for foreign investors, when the foreign person is an applicant for an EB-5 visa, the tax results can be surprisingly good.  Fanny Karaman and Beate Erwin explain.

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High-Speed Tax Reform: The U.K. Diverted Profits Tax & Restrictions on Corporate Interest Deductions

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High-Speed Tax Reform: The U.K. Diverted Profits Tax & Restrictions on Corporate Interest Deductions

Among the most notable changes made to U.K. corporate tax over the past 24 months are the introduction of the diverted profits tax (“D.P.T.”) and the reduction of tax relief for corporate interest payments.  D.P.T. is aimed at multinationals operating in the U.K. that try to avoid maintaining a permanent establishment in order to escape U.K. corporate tax.  D.P.T. is imposed at the rate of 25% and treaty relief is not available.  The reduction in relief for corporate interest payments implements the recommendations of B.E.P.S. Action 4.  Eloise Walker and Penny Simmons of Pinsent Masons, London, explain the working of these provisions.

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Insights Vol. 4 No. 5: Updates & Other Tidbits

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Insights Vol. 4 No. 5: Updates & Other Tidbits

This month, Astrid Champion and Nina Krauthamer look briefly at several timely issues, including (i) a novel claim of treaty residence in Ireland by a nonresident Irish domiciled individual subject to the domicile levy under Irish law and (ii) the introduction of a beneficial ownership register regime in the Cayman Islands regarding certain Cayman Islands corporations.

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Corporate Matters:  Five Steps for Leveraging your Start-Up’s Emerging Intellectual Property

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Corporate Matters:  Five Steps for Leveraging your Start-Up’s Emerging Intellectual Property

For an emerging business, intellectual property (“I.P.”) can be the business’s most important asset and the difference between its success and failure.  That is why steps must be taken early on to protect those “jewels.”  Barry Lewin of Gottlieb, Rackman & Reisman, P.C. in New York explains five important actions designed to protect and enhance value.

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Amazon Makes the C.U.T. – An Important Taxpayer Win, A Reminder to Consider Transactional Evidence

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Amazon Makes the C.U.T. – An Important Taxpayer Win, A Reminder to Consider Transactional Evidence

Last month, Insights reported on the Tax Court decision in Amazon v. Commr., involving the “buy-in” payment made as compensation for the right to use pre-existing I.P. in a related-party cost-sharing arrangement (“C.S.A.”).  This month, Michael Peggs comments on the lessons learned from the taxpayer victory in that case regarding (i) the transfer pricing method used, (ii) the assumptions made and analyses used to value the buy-in payment, and (iii) the correct treatment of intangible development costs within the term of the C.S.A.

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Net Operating Losses: A Valuable Asset Worth Preserving

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Net Operating Losses: A Valuable Asset Worth Preserving

Troubled companies that incur significant net operating losses (“N.O.L.’s”) can carry back those losses for up to two years in order to obtain refunds of tax.  In addition, the losses can be carried forward for up to 20 years to reduce future taxable income.  However, the losses cannot be monetized through transfers to others.  Code §§382 and 269 and separate return limitation year (“S.R.L.Y.”) provisions under the consolidated tax return regulations are designed to prevent taxpayers from selling the benefit of the N.O.L. directly or indirectly.  Philip R. Hirschfeld explains how the loss limitation rules are applied when (i) a change occurs in the ownership of the loss corporation, (ii) a reshuffle of profitable and unprofitable businesses occurs to benefit from a “mixing bowl” effect, or (iii) companies with existing losses enter an affiliated group filing a consolidated Federal income tax return.

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Foreign Tax Credits: General Principles and Audit Risks

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Foreign Tax Credits: General Principles and Audit Risks

In April, the Large Business & International Division (“LB&I”) of the I.R.S. published an International Practice Unit directed to the foreign tax credit claimed by individuals.  Tax advisers to Americans living abroad or having global investment portfolios may find that the Practice Unit indicates topics of interest for the I.R.S.  Fanny Karaman and Galia Antebi explain the concepts covered, including persons eligible to claim the credit, foreign taxes that qualify for credit, whether to deduct or credit a foreign income taxes, foreign tax credit limitations, and means of ameliorating the effect of unused credits in a particular year.

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I.R.S. Information Exchanges & the Coordinated Tax Raids on Credit Suisse

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I.R.S. Information Exchanges & the Coordinated Tax Raids on Credit Suisse

In April, coordinated tax raids targeted three separate offices Credit Suisse involved in tax fraud examinations by the Netherlands, France, Germany, the U.K., and Australia.  Was it merely a coincidence that these are countries with which the U.S. regularly cooperates in the exchange of tax information?  Rusudan Shervashidze and Stanley C. Ruchelman discuss the many avenues through which the I.R.S. furnishes and receives information.  One thing is clear: The I.R.S. had the means to transfer information to the relevant tax authorities.

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Economic Nexus Through Ownership and Use of Intellectual Property

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Economic Nexus Through Ownership and Use of Intellectual Property

For many tax advisers outside the U.S., state corporate income tax is viewed simply as an add-on to the Federal tax.  This relatively simplistic view ignores the requirements of U.S. Federal and Constitutional law that an activity must have a connection – called a nexus – to a state before tax can be imposed on profits allocated to the state.  Alvan L. Bobrow of Akerman LLP in New York explains the concept of “economic nexus,” a way by which digital activity within a state may trigger exposure to state tax.  Companies that license marketing intangibles should be particularly wary.

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Tax 101: Taxation of Intellectual Property – The Basics

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Tax 101: Taxation of Intellectual Property – The Basics

This month, Tax 101 presents an overview of the basic U.S. Federal tax considerations of transactions that occur over the life cycle of intellectual property (“I.P.”) – from its creation to its acquisition, exploitation, and ultimate sale in a liquidity event.  The article address several important questions: Should expenditures be capitalized or deducted?  If capitalized, over what period is the expenditure amortized?  How are acquisitions of I.P. reported to the I.R.S. when an entire business is acquired?  What is the character of gain on sale?  When is a sale treated as a license?  And when is a license treated as a sale?  Elizabeth V. Zanet and Stanley C. Ruchelman explain.

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Foreign Tax Credit May Not Be Available for Gains Derived Outside the U.S.

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Foreign Tax Credit May Not Be Available for Gains Derived Outside the U.S.

Merely because a foreign country imposes an income tax and the tax is creditable does not mean that effective relief from double taxation is available.  The U.S. retains the first right to tax income and gains that are domestic in character, and the income or gain on which the foreign tax is imposed must be categorized as foreign for relief to be provided.  Kenneth Lobo and Galia Antebi focus on this issue and advise that advance planning will be required.

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Insights Vol. 4 No. 4: Updates & Other Tidbits

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Insights Vol. 4 No. 4: Updates & Other Tidbits

This month, Astrid Champion, Nina Krauthamer, and Jennifer Lapper look briefly at several timely issues, including (i) instructions for Form 8975, Country-By-Country Report, and Schedule A, Tax Jurisdiction and Constituent Entity Information, for U.S.-based multinationals, (ii) tax breaks for midsized companies in China, (iii) an executive order calling for review of all I.R.S. regulations issued in 2016, with a view to their withdrawal, and (iv) the French Constitutional debate over penalties for nondisclosure of trust assets.

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LB&I Audit Insights: Using a Code §6038A Summons When a U.S. Corporation is 25% Foreign Owned

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LB&I Audit Insights: Using a Code §6038A Summons When a U.S. Corporation is 25% Foreign Owned

Code §6038A provides that a U.S. corporation that is 25% or more foreign-owned must provide the I.R.S. with information on certain transactions with its 25% foreign owner and any other foreign related party.  The goal is to obtain access to documents that are helpful in determining the correctness of the U.S. tax return.  In an I.P.U., LB&I explains how it plans to obtain documents held outside the U.S.  This may include a requested exchange under a tax information exchange agreement or a summons served on a domestic agent appointed to receive a summons that is enforceable abroad.  Galia Antebi and Stanley C. Ruchelman explain the process that will be followed by the I.R.S.

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Tax Home v. Abode – Are They the Same for Code §911 Purposes?

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Tax Home v. Abode – Are They the Same for Code §911 Purposes?

Section 911 of U.S. tax law provides certain tax benefits to persons who report foreign earned income.  To be entitled to the benefits, an individual must have a “tax home” abroad, provided that he or she does not have an “abode” in the U.S.  A recent summary opinion by the Tax Court illustrates the difference between those two terms.  Rusudan Shervashidze and Philip R. Hirschfeld explain.

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