Tax Controversies And Dispute Resolution Under Tax Treaties Insights From Arbitration Sphere

This article focuses on recent initiatives to embed arbitration as a mechanism for resolving tax controversies under income tax treaties. Drawing on the author's experience as an arbitration lawyer, the article considers developments in the frameworks for arbitration under income tax treaties, including (i) the OECD Model, (ii) the EU Arbitration Convention and (iii) the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (the BEPS Multilateral Instrument). These frameworks are compared to existing (non-tax specific) arbitration frameworks, in order to evaluate the efficacy of arbitration as a mechanism for resolving tax controversies and identify where some lessons may be learned as the tax arbitration process is further developed and refined.

As the interrelationship among tax bases continues to parallel the rapid development of the global economy, disputes among governments as to their right to tax international trade and investments under income tax treaties are expected to increase in number and scope. This study takes an in-depth look at the mechanisms used to resolve such disputes and how they interact with the interests of the various parties involved in the process. The study presents an analysis of the available literature, supplemented by statistical data from North America, Europe and Asia. Analysis of this data leads to interesting insights into the way the dispute resolution process functions when it is applied in different contexts. A comprehensive common framework of analysis, based on a checklist for governments, international organizations and taxpayers, is also developed in the study. This framework lists the main advantages and disadvantages of treaty-related international income tax dispute resolution procedures. The checklist is formulated with the aim to assist readers informing policies and in arguing positions, taking into account the subjective value given by each reader to each listed item. The study concludes by suggesting the creation of a new mechanism for the resolution of tax treaty-related disputes, and advocates, in part, the establishment of a new international organization with links to domestic judicial networks. This mechanism is then subjected to the same common framework analysis and checklist used in earlier parts of the study. The analysis suggests how such a mechanism would mitigate some of the most formidable challenges associated with the current dispute resolution procedures.

Analysis of both the concluded and the proposed dispute resolution methods. The relationship between the current developments in tax treaty law and the more general trends of modern dispute resolution in public international law is investigated. Concludes with a summary and evaluation of several alternative methods of dispute resolution in recent treaty practice.

Arbitration has been promoted as the future of tax dispute resolution in recent years in line with the increase in complexity of international tax law. This authoritative book presents existing legal rules on the matter, provides a review of the arguments in favour of tax arbitration, discusses the practical and legal challenges for its wide-spread adoption and compatibility with existing domestic and international norms. It also answers key questions for the practical implementation of a modern tax arbitration system. Key Features: Comprehensive analysis of the existing tax treaty framework and their application to MAP and arbitration Up-to-date guidance on the best practices in alternative dispute resolution to ensure effective and efficient dispute resolution Original insights from dispute resolution mechanisms found in non-tax areas such as trade and investment law In-depth discussion of primary and secondary EU law rules on tax dispute resolution, including implications of EU general principles, fundamental rights and internal market rules Identifying some of the new issues in tax arbitration and offering views on how to tackle them in the most appropriate way, this book will be a key resource for tax law practitioners looking for the latest insights on how to navigate the legal framework for alternative tax dispute resolution. Students and academics focusing on commercial and tax law will also benefit from this detailed guide.

Dispute Resolution under Tax Treaties and Beyond is a detailed and comprehensive study on tax dispute resolution mechanisms, with a specific focus on tax treaty disputes.

When taxpayers go global, can disputes and dispute resolution remain local? Unilateral administrative measures and domestic judicial systems will continue to be used for the resolution of international tax disputes, but the inherent limits of one-sided solutions to multi-sided problems are bound to lead us to unsatisfactory results. Closer international cooperation becomes a sine qua non for the establishment of an international dispute resolution system that will possess all the fair trial guarantees of domestic judicial systems, but also cure its limited effectiveness, which does not extend beyond the geographical borders of one state.0The striking discrepancy between domestic judicial systems and the international one (MAP and arbitration) is the phenomenon of the absent taxpayer. This may be explained, but at the current level of development of international (economic) law and human rights law it can no longer be justified. This analysis develops on two axes: (i) the access of private parties to international law remedies from the perspective of public international law; and (ii) the access of private parties to international law remedies from a human rights law perspective.

The OECD's goal in Action 14 of the BEPS Action Plan -- of making dispute resolution mechanisms more effective -- is a major aspect of the evolving transnational regime for tax. One of the most central questions is whether mandatory arbitration will be established. As international taxation is entering a new era, it is important to consider the possible models and practices that could be used to develop a robust arbitration mechanism to address tax disputes. This Article focuses on the key aspects (both procedural and substantive) of international investment arbitration and places them in the context of the current debate on international tax disputes. The aim is to review the core aspects of investment arbitration to see which (and to what extent) procedures may fit the global tax policy aspirations. Overall, when we compare tax treaty arbitration to arbitration of investment disputes, what are the advantages and disadvantages for governments and taxpayers/foreign investors of these systems (e.g., transparency, appointment of arbitrators, excess of authority, third party funding, treaty shopping, publication of awards, independence of arbitrators, etc.)? In order to reach a sustainable mechanism which could find support from both sides, which lessons can be learned from arbitration of investment disputes? In other words, which specific practices in the arbitration of investment disputes should and should not be adopted in tax treaty arbitration? To answer these questions, this Article reviews the restrictions in the scope of arbitrable issues under both tax and investment treaties. It also looks at the enforcement of international awards. The Article also explores the role of national courts and considers the initiation of international disputes and the role of States. The analysis is then further expanded to discuss the recurring issue of the costs of arbitration. Finally, the conclusion summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of international arbitration to address transnational tax issues.

Arbitration: the solution to tackle cross-border tax disputes From the increasing integration of the world economy and the lack of rules to govern the taxation of multinational enterprises to cross-border tax disputes: arbitration is one potential solution. Arbitration is not a new development in the international tax arena, but it has not yet been widely implemented in practice. In the last few years, the concept of arbitration in tax matters was revived, mainly following the OECD/G20 BEPS Project, as well as the EU Action Plan on Corporate Taxation. Now arbitration is expected to play a more significant role and enhance the existing framework of cross-border tax dispute resolution. „OECD Arbitration in Tax Treaty Law” constitutes a comprehensive compendium on international tax arbitration and provides in-depth analysis of all relevant aspects of the topic. The introductory chapters provide background information on tax arbitration and comparisons with other areas of law. The book also takes stock of the recent developments in this area within the OECD, the EU, the UN and the United States. It addresses the main concerns that have been raised with regard to arbitration, and compares and contrasts the design of various arbitration clauses. It also considers potential future developments. This compendium on international tax arbitration shows one way how to tackle the rising tide of cross-border tax disputes.

The number of international tax disputes is constantly increasing. This is a logical consequence of the pressure that is exerted on the global tax system by a rise in the number of internationally active and mobile taxpayers and tax competition between states on the one hand. On the other hand, the implementation of measures to tackle base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) by multinational enterprises already gives rise to further disputes and another increase of disputes might arise from the latest reforms of the international tax system, namely the Two-Pillar-Solution to address the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy. Against this background, the time is right for an institutionalised international tax dispute resolution mechanism that takes into account the interests of taxpayers, states, and the public and allows for a swift and binding resolution of international tax disputes ¬– exactly what this timely and thoroughgoing book offers. A comprehensive overview of existing international tax dispute resolution mechanisms – and an analysis of their procedural rules, advantages, and disadvantages – leads to a deeply informed proposal on how they can be further developed in a way that ensures greater fairness and equity for all stakeholders. Among the lines of conflict that characterise international tax disputes, the author sheds clear light on how improvements in the design of dispute resolution mechanisms may be found. This includes these questions: How should a dispute resolution mechanism be structured? Should there be a mandatory resolution if the states cannot agree? In which way should taxpayers participate in the procedure? Should agreements and decisions be published? Should there be an institution to administer the procedure? The book concludes with a draft convention that would implement the author’s suggestions. Tax lawyers and other tax professionals worldwide, as well as national tax authorities, will benefit greatly from this book. They will deepen their understanding of the variety of existing tax dispute resolution mechanisms and discover ways to strengthen them. Academics will find ample room to reflect on the key design elements of such mechanisms and how to improve them.