INVITATION Global Tax Policy Conference

Transcription

1 INVITATION Global Tax Policy Conference Wednesday June 15th 2016 at Hilton Amsterdam Schiphol, the Netherlands GLOBAL 2015 Amsterdam, 9 April

2 Global Tax Policy Conference 2016 Since 2014, Maastricht University annually organizes the Global Tax Policy seminar. After last year s conference and lots of discussions in several international fora, the global tax environment faced more specific proposals to counter tax evasion and avoidance: The OECD BEPS deliverables were published and the EU came up with many comparable initiatives. Now, it is to be awaited what the real impact on domestic and international tax laws will be. Therefore, 2016 will be the year in which we will see to what extent international tax will actually be changed. The discussion in the world, however, is still focusing on companies which do not pay their fair share to society. But the main question should actually be: What is a fair share? or, even more specific, what is fair? In a perfect tax storm as we currently experience, the meaning of fair is a difficult one. The Panama papers have revealed that even small and medium sized enterprises as well as individuals put their money away in a tax haven environment. But as Eurogroup president Dijsselbloem stated earlier in an interview Panama is not about MNE s. But will the world be able to see the distinction? Will this new development affect the tax debate regarding MNE s? It is for this reason that the 2016 Global Tax Policy Conference will focus on fair taxation. A definition of fair taxation is hard to give. T.S. Adams once stated: Taxes are as complex as life. The moralist calls for just taxes; but taxes cannot just be just. The current tax discussion has also a strong political component. Best way to illustrate this is the European Parliament s TAXE Committee which in March of this year published the outcome of hearings of multinational enterprises with respect to their tax planning activities. Apparently Apple mentioned it has an ETR of more than 26%, which is compared to many EU MNE s quite reasonable. Still, according to some MEP s, more should be paid within the EU. But would that be fair? Or would this just be more fair to EU countries? And what are the consequences for developing countries? Another issue is the recently published updated US Model Tax Convention. This convention includes a newly worded LOB provision. LOB provisions were also recommended by OECD BEPS Action 6 to be implemented in the tax treaties concluded by states supporting BEPS. The remaining question, however, is whether the US will actually support BEPS? The new US MTC does address some issues with respect to US inbound investments, but no changes are included

3 in the new US MTC on, for example, other important subjects as commission agent structures as addressed under OECD BEPS Action 7. These subjects are important for US outbound structures. And what about the US treatment of debt? The new US s.385 regulations make it, to say the least, quite complicated to distinguish between debt and equity. It clearly creates a lot of uncertainty. During the Global Tax Policy Conference, well-known speakers will address the above-mentioned elements of the evolving international tax policy landscape. Only understanding what is going on does not answer the question what is fair, since not just one answer seems to exist. The Global Tax Policy Conference is designed for government officials, CFOs and tax directors of multinationals enterprises, tax advisors, non-governmental organizations and academics who are interested in global tax policy. The third Global Tax Policy Conference will provide the participants greater insight into the developments in global tax policy. Information, insights and visions provided by renowned speakers from both academia as well as governments, civil society, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations will form the basis for an interactive debate on global tax policy. We look forward to your participation at our 3rd Global Tax Policy Conference in Amsterdam on June 15 th Best regards, Prof. Dr Hans van den Hurk

4 Global Tax Policy Conference 2016 Tentative Programme 08:30-09:15 Registration 09:15-09:30 Opening by Chairman Prof. Dr Hans van den Hurk (Maastricht University) 09:30-10:15 The OECD BEPS initiatives from a Latin-American perspective by Manuel Tron (SMPS Legal Mexico City) 10:15-11:00 BEPS and developing countries by Geerten Michielse (International Monetary Fund Washington) 11:00-11:20 Coffee break 11:20-12:05 UNCTAD s WIR 2015, what does it mean for the global tax debate? by Richard Bolwijn (UNCTAD Geneva ) 12:05-12:50 Historical perspective on choices made by developed countries to enable tax planning and way forward after G20-BEPS/Panama papers by Theo Keijzer (Dorean Global Tax Policy) 12:50-13:30 Lunch 13:30-14:15 OECD BEPS Action 7 by Philip Baker (QC at Gray s Inn Tax Chambers) 14:15-15:00 International Centre for Tax and developments perspective on recent developments by Mick Moore (IDS Brighton) 15:00-15:20 Coffee Break 15:20-16:05 State Aid Going Transatlantic: Tax Recovery in an US-EU Context by Raymond Luja (Maastricht University) 16:05-16:50 BEPS and the US perspective by Mary Bennett (Baker & McKenzie New York, previously OECD) 16:50-17:30 Discussion and conclusions 17:30-18:30 Reception

5 Registration Fee & Payment The registration fee for the Global Tax Policy Conference 2016 is EUR 495,-. This includes the lunch and an invitation to an exclusive reception. There is only limited availability. After registration an invoice will be sent to you. Registration is only possible by sending an that includes the name(s), profession and title(s) of the participant(s), company or organization name, invoice address and phone number. The registration can be sent to Conference venue Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Schiphol Boulevard BN Schiphol, The Nederlands Phone: +31-(0) Organization and Contact Maastricht University Joyce Berghmans Phone: +31 (0) Arjan.M.M. Thomassen Phone: +31-(0) internet: oriented research university. Visit us at This event is organized by Maastricht Centre for Taxation, the interdisciplinary educational and high-end research centre dedicated to international taxation and part of Maastricht University.

6 REGISTRATION FORM GLOBAL TAX POLICY CONFERENCE 2016 DATE: WEDNESDAY 15 th JUNE 2016 VENUE: Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Schiphol Boulevard 701, 1118 BN Schiphol, The Netherlands Name: Academic Title(s): Gender: Male Female Profession: Organization: Phone: Please transfer the participation fee of EUR 495,- to the bank account specified in the invoice. You will receive the invoice by and registered mail. Please return this form by to If you have any questions, please contact Arjan M.M. Thomassen, phone +31 (0) Date: Signature: