The OECD’s pursuit for a multilateral solution to digital services tax headlines our tax update this month, with four possible options set out as to how such a tax would operate. Details are provided of a unilateral digital services tax in Spain. The OECD’s Forum on Harmful Tax Practices has released an update on its work performed in countering harmful regimes under BEPS Action 5. Related to this, and the desire to fall outside of the criteria of the EU’s blacklist, several lower tax jurisdictions have enacted legislation requiring local entities to have adequate economic substance. The Australian Tax Office has released guidance on the operation of its anti-hybrid rules.

In the latest of his regular articles for Tax Journal^*, Tim Sarson rounds up recent international developments. This month’s article looks at:

• OECD: digital tax developments;
• Spain: digital services tax proposed in pending legislation;
• BEPS Action 5: Forum on Harmful Tax Practices;
• Economic substance requirements for ‘key’ offshore jurisdictions; and
• Australia Taxation Office guidance on operation of Australian anti-hybrid rules.

^* First published in Tax Journal on 22 February 2019. Reproduced with permission.

For further information please contact:

• Tim Sarson