PwC specialists share insights and perspectives on key issues impacting the ever-changing tax landscape. Our podcasts aim to provide quick, easy and up-to-date tax developments to help you stay current and competitive in today's challenging business environment. Listen to episodes at your convenience via your desktop computer or smart device.
Pillar Two Update: Traps for unwary
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by returning guest Steve Kohart, an International Tax Partner in PwC’s New York City office and former advisor to the Center for Tax Policy Administration for the OECD. They dive into Pillar Two with a refresher of the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (QDMTT), the Income Inclusion Rule (IIR), the Under Tax Profit Rule (UTPR), as well as the status of Pillar Two enaction across the globe, including in Puerto Rico. They also talk through how companies are approaching year-end, data readiness and tax compliance; Belgium’s registration process; and several traps for the unwary, including the post-finalization of consolidated financial statements, purchase price accounting, hybrid arbitrage, and country-by-country safe harbor requirements. Finally, they discuss what makes a ‘good’ credit for Pillar Two, the US R&D credit, the reverse consensus process for qualifying a QDMTT, permanent safe harbors, and what guidance to expect next.
10/23/2024 • 43 minutes
US CAMT Proposed Regs: You are no Pillar Two
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by returning guest Aaron Junge, an International Tax Partner in PwC’s Washington National Tax Services Practice. Aaron served as Tax Counsel to the US House of Representative during the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017. Doug and Aaron briefly discuss the College World Series held in Aaron’s hometown of Omaha, before delving into the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT) proposed regulations. Specifically, they discuss Adjusted Financial Statement Income (AFSI), how the rules affect large domestic and foreign investment funds and partnerships, the open comment period, the similarities (and differences) between CAMT and Pillar Two, whether or not CAMT could be converted to a QDMTT, how the regulations impact adjustments for depreciation, and new foreign stock rules.
10/11/2024 • 41 minutes, 42 seconds
Business Model Reinvention: Tax Implications
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by returning guest Alex Voloshko, an International Tax Partner in PwC’s Washington National Tax Services Practice where he specializes in value chain transformation and the tax implications of business operating models. Doug and Alex discuss how tax interacts with the broader business, the evolution of the tax operating model, business model reinvention, the importance of data, supply chain management, IP trends from the 2017 TCJA, and the potential impact of Pillar Two.
9/25/2024 • 39 minutes, 47 seconds
No double dipping! US proposes new regulations
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by returning guest Elizabeth Nelson, a Partner in PwC’s Washington National Tax Services Practice to discuss the recently proposed regulations that address dual consolidated loss (DCL) rules as well an entirely new tax regime regarding disregarded payment losses (DPLs). Together they dive into the background of the US DCL rules, effective dates, foreign use, intercompany transactions, stock inclusions, mirror legislation, a new anti-avoidance rule, and of course the application of the DCL rules to Pillar Two.
9/12/2024 • 34 minutes, 13 seconds
Taxing Cryptocurrency: US Digital Asset Regs
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by returning guest Rebecca Lee, a Principal in PwC’s Washington National Tax Services Practice where she focuses on complex tax problems and financial transactions in the digital asset space. Doug and Rebecca discuss T.D. 10000, the recently published final regulations dealing with digital assets. They dive into the details of digital assets, including the definition of a digital assets, revisiting non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain, and the different types of digital transactions. They also cover the background of the final regulations, calculating gains and losses, determining basis, digital asset transaction costs, ordering rules, Form 1099-DA, Notices 2024-56 & 2024-57, and the applicability dates. They finish the podcast with an exploration of how other jurisdictions are approaching cryptocurrencies around the world, touching on FATCA, DAC8 and more.
8/28/2024 • 35 minutes, 35 seconds
US Election Watch: Tax Implications
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Janice Mays (Managing Director in PwC’s Tax Policy Services) who boasts a 40 year career on the Hill including 22 years as the Democratic chief counsel and staff director for the House Ways and Means Committee, to discuss the upcoming US election’s impact on tax policy. Doug and Janice dive into the practice and procedures behind US tax policy, the upcoming US presidential election, and the key races to watch in the US Senate and House of Representatives. They also cover various election result scenarios, the key priorities for both Republicans and Democrats in a 2025 tax bill, and a potential US reaction to Pillar Two.
8/14/2024 • 38 minutes, 11 seconds
US Supreme Court Update: Chevron is no Moore
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Wade Sutton, International Tax Leader for PwC’s Washington National Tax Practice. Doug and Wade kick off with the persona of a law school professor, providing an overall perspective on the US common law system, and how the US court system works. They then cover the importance three of Supreme Court’s recent tax case decisions – Moore v. United States, Corner Post v. United States, & Loper Bright v. United States. They start by ‘briefing’ the cases before noting why taxpayers should pay attention to each case. Additionally, they cover a potential wealth tax, the possible effects of the cases on litigation and tax controversy, what constituted the majority opinion in Loper Bright, the overruling of the Chevron doctrine, and regulatory validity.
7/31/2024 • 36 minutes, 23 seconds
Pillar Two Admin Guidance Glimpses of clarity
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Phil Ramstetter, International Tax Partner and former Tax Policy Consultant at Business at OECD (BIAC). Doug and Phil discuss the OECD’s Administrative Guidance released in June 2024, including the deferred tax liability (DTL) recapture rule or five-year rule, the allocation of cross-border taxes, deferred tax accounting, transactions within the GloBE rules, entity classification and treatment, and the expectation of more OECD administrative guidance in the second half of 2024.
7/17/2024 • 38 minutes, 32 seconds
US Stock Buyback Tax: a funding conundrum
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Nita Asher, International Tax Partner in PwC’s Washington National Tax Practice and former legislative counsel to the Joint Committee of Taxation during the enactment of TCJA in 2017. Doug and Nita focus on the Stock Buyback Excise Tax enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act. Doug and Nita walk through Notice 2023-2, the recently released procedural and technical regulations, including the elimination of the per se rule, the funding rule, and which other countries are considering similar rules. They also discuss how the excise tax could present a multi-year reporting exercise for taxpayers, utilizing Forms 720 and 7208. Non-US headquartered companies will be very interested in this conversation!
6/26/2024 • 36 minutes, 20 seconds
Pillar Two Potpourri: Where is this heading?
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is with Pat Brown, Washington National Tax Services Co-Leader, to discuss the complex state of international tax today and where the winds of Pillar Two are blowing. Doug and Pat bare their ankles and kick off the discussion with the state of international tax when Pat graduated law school. They cover the increasing complexity of tax regimes, before diving into Pillar Two, the Undertaxed Payments Rule (UTPR), qualified CbC reporting, business concerns and struggles, the United Nations’ role in international tax, and recently published Belgian Pillar Two registration requirements.
6/12/2024 • 45 minutes, 32 seconds
Pillar Two in Ireland: It takes a village
Doug McHoney (PwC's Global International Tax Services Leader) and Peter Reilly (PwC International Tax Partner & Ireland’s Tax Policy Leader) are at PwC EMEA’s International Tax Academy in Prague to discuss Ireland’s implementation of Pillar Two. Doug and Peter dive into why Irish policy makers agreed to adopt the Pillar Two regime, how Ireland is incorporating the OECD guidance, the potential effects on the Irish economy and current tax regime, the ways Irish multinationals are preparing, and the potential ramifications in the future.
5/30/2024 • 40 minutes, 19 seconds
Pillar Two: Hindsight is 20/24
Doug McHoney (PwC's Global International Tax Services Leader) and podcast regular Calum Dewar (Principal, International tax services) are at PwC’s EMEA’s International Tax, Legal, and Workforce Academy in Prague, Czech Republic, to discuss the latest happenings around Pillar Two. Doug and Calum examine the many practical issues taxpayers, governments and tax advisors are facing to implement the new rules, including disparity in financial accounting, the QDMTT safe harbour, arbitrage arrangements, GloBE reorganization rules, and allocation of deferred taxes.
5/10/2024 • 46 minutes, 50 seconds
Pillar Two Data Strategy: Play ball!!!
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) is with Anthony Sciarra, a Principal in PwC’s Tax Reporting and Strategy Practice and the Global Pillar Two Data Strategy leader, to discuss the importance of a Pillar Two Data Strategy. Doug and Anthony detail what taxpayers should be doing today to stay ahead of Pillar Two’s complexity, specifically highlighting: data sourcing, data forecasting, qualifying for the CbC Transitional Safe Harbor, considerations for both an insourcing & outsourcing model, existing technology solutions, and the importance of a centralized rules calculation.
4/29/2024 • 45 minutes, 18 seconds
As the world turns: Macroeconomic trends
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is at PwC’s International Tax Conference in Dana Point, California with Dr. Alexis Crow, PwC’s Geopolitical Investing Practice Leader. Doug and Alexis discuss the recession outlook and economic activity, the impact of inflation, central banking policy, including interest rates, commercial real estate and financial stability, currencies and the future of the US Dollar, energy transition, the US election outlook, and outlooks for some significant economies, including Japan, India, Singapore, Brazil, the Middle East, and Europe.
4/10/2024 • 35 minutes, 20 seconds
Brazil Tax Reforms: muito complicado!
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is in São Paulo, Brazil for the first Latin American recording of the CBTT with PwC Brazil’s International Tax Leader Dr. Romero Tavaras. Doug and Romero discuss what makes Brazil’s tax system so unique – from its transfer pricing rules to its full inclusion regime. They also dive into expected Brazilian tax changes, the many acronyms that make up the indirect tax system, Pillar One, and what effect Pillar Two will have on Brazil’s taxpayers.
3/26/2024 • 43 minutes, 45 seconds
US Tax Policy: Chairman Dave Camp
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is at PwC’s International Tax Conference in Dana Point, California with former House Ways & Means Chairman Dave Camp, now senior policy advisor in PwC’s Washington National Tax Services. Doug and Chairman Camp discuss his political career, drivers behind US tax policy, how Congress negotiates tax legislation, the expiring provisions in the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA), the prospects of Congress implementing Pillar Two in the years ahead, and how companies can get involved in the tax legislative process.
3/14/2024 • 41 minutes, 26 seconds
Geopolitics Unraveled: Trends for 2024
In this episode of Cross-Border Tax Talks, Doug McHoney interviews Craig Stronberg, a Senior Director in PwC's Intelligence Team, about major geopolitical trends impacting business leaders and the operating environment. They discuss topics such as protectionism, the US-China rivalry, distrust, the shift in global power, tech disruption, labor, and the Middle East. They also highlight the importance of business leaders taking stock of lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential risks associated with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
2/28/2024 • 46 minutes, 50 seconds
US Guidance Update: Pillar Two and more
On this episode, Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Wade Sutton. Wade is PwC’s Washington National Tax Service’s ITS Leader, a former adjunct professor of international tax at Georgetown University's Law Center, and former Deputy International Tax Counsel, US Treasury. Doug and Wade discuss what drove them to international tax as a career (spoiler: job security) before diving into recent US tax guidance. They discuss the recent foreign tax credit (FTC), corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) and Previously taxed E&P (PTEP) notices. They also discuss the interaction of Pillar Two with the FTC rules, dual consolidated loss (DCL) rules, and CAMT. Doug and Wade wrap up by looking ahead to guidance we might see in 2024.
2/13/2024 • 46 minutes, 35 seconds
Sustainability and Transparency for Tax Professionals
In this podcast episode, Doug McHoney, PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader, interviews Heather Horn, PwC's Assurance National Thought Leader and host of the twice-weekly PwC Accounting Podcast. Doug and Heather discuss sustainability reporting and its increasing importance in the business world. They cover various regulations and standards, such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the potential intersection between sustainability reporting and tax transparency. Doug and Heather note the similarities between CSRD and other recent reporting requirements, like Pillar Two and the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). They also highlight the challenges and considerations for companies as they deal with new stakeholders and navigate the new reporting requirements.
2/6/2024 • 34 minutes, 27 seconds
Pillar Two: how safe is the safe harbor?
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Steve Kohart for our first podcast in PwC’s New York studio. Steve is a PwC international tax partner based in New York, and a former adviser for the OECD Center for Tax Policy and Administration. Doug and Steve discuss the OECD’s latest Pillar Two Administrative Guidance, which was published December 18, 2023 and primarily covers the transitional country by country Safe Harbor. More specifically, Doug and Steve address how jurisdictions will implement the guidance, purchase price accounting adjustments, consistent use of data, hybrid arbitrage arrangements, the allocation of CFC taxes, and whether the OECD will provide additional guidance in 2024.
1/24/2024 • 46 minutes, 1 second
Gen AI in Tax: a new frontier
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is at PwC’s Tax Leadership Conference in breezy Orlando with Dom Megna, a New York-based tax partner leading PWC's US Tax Reporting and Strategy Practice. Doug and Dom discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its place in tax. They focus on four areas - what is conversational AI, machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI (a subset of deep learning). They also cover some impacts of AI: AI for tax practitioners, how AI will affect people’s jobs, data opportunities and architecture, Pillar Two, responsible AI, and the ROI of AI.
1/4/2024 • 38 minutes, 11 seconds
Taxing FX of Branches: the new Section 987 regulations
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Rebecca Lee (WNTS ITS Partner) in PwC’s Washington, DC studio for the 140th (and Rebecca’s) episode of the Cross-Border Tax Talks podcast. Rebecca, a frequent guest on the podcast, specializes in financial transactions and digital assets. Doug and Rebecca discuss the history and intent of Section 987, which is generally to address the taxation of foreign exchange gains/losses from a foreign branch operating in a different functional currency than its home office. The rules started out relatively simply at three sentences, but since enactment we’ve received 100s of pages of regulations. Doug and Rebecca discuss how the layers of complication led to confusion and concerns over policy and administrability. This background is critical to understanding the challenges companies are facing today with the November 2023 proposed regulations. Doug and Rebecca dissect and analyze the 250-page package, what new elements and limitations they introduce, and what this means for affected companies, including industries like banking and insurance. They close the discussion with how the effective dates work and why the operation of these rules may have surprising results.
12/19/2023 • 44 minutes, 32 seconds
UK Pillar Two: Painting while the paint dries
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Matt Ryan at PwC’s Global Tax Symposium in Rome. Matt is a London-based international tax partner and PwC UK’s Pillar Two Leader. Doug and Matt revisit the UK Pillar Two rules for the third time, but now from an enacted law perspective. While the rules are set to apply from the beginning of 2024, the United Kingdom faces an interesting challenge as one of the early adopters of Pillar Two, with enacted legislation, followed by additional OECD guidance. Doug and Matt discuss the tricky task for UK legislators of ‘painting while the paint still dries’ (i.e., enacting legislation while the OECD guidance is still changing) and some of the key differences that need to be addressed as a result of the subsequent OECD guidance, as well as still-expected guidance in 2023 and beyond. Doug and Matt discuss from a practical perspective how UK-parented taxpayers are preparing for what is ahead, including approaches to safe harbors. They then dive into complexities created by the particularities of the UK rules around the safe harbor and other key issues, like partnerships and deferred taxes. Finally, the podcast closes with practical next steps companies operating in the UK should consider ahead of 2024.
12/12/2023 • 36 minutes, 1 second
Pillar Two: Policy, politics and interaction with Pillar One
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is at PwC’s Global Tax Symposium in Rome, where he’s joined by Will Morris. Will is PwC’s Global Tax Policy Leader, and on Will’s last visit to the podcast, he covered FSR, the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. On this podcast, an exciting and familiar topic - Pillar Two! Doug and Will discuss generally how the Pillar Two process has been going. They wonder how tax authorities and courts will administer and adjudicate in their jurisdictions, and what will become of the potential FAQs and future administrative guidance from the OECD. They then discuss the recent EC guidance, and whether countries will be able to bring in the OECD guidance retroactively. Finally, Doug and Will touch on how business have participated thus far in the process.
12/8/2023 • 38 minutes, 20 seconds
Pillar One: Policy, politics and interaction with Pillar Two
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is at PwC’s Global Transfer Pricing Conference where he’s joined by Giorgia Maffini. Giorgia is part of PwC’s Global Transfer Pricing team in London and was previously the Deputy Head of the Tax Policy and Statistics Division at the OECD. Doug and Giorgia discuss why taxpayers should care about Pillar One, starting with the basics - what is Pillar One and how does it work with Pillar Two? They discuss the complexities, scope and impacts of both Amount A and Amount B. Also the timing, economic impact, and what’s next. Finally, they address what might happen with digital services taxes and what companies should do next.
11/30/2023 • 40 minutes, 40 seconds
Pillar Two Safe Harbors: The CbCR journey
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by David Ernick, a Principal with PwC’s Washington National Tax Services Transfer Pricing Practice and former Associate International Tax Counsel at the US Treasury Department, at PwC’s Global Transfer Pricing Conference in San Diego, California. They discuss Country-by-country reporting (CbCR) transitional safe harbor rules, including the safe harbor tests, exclusions to the rules, the difference between the safe harbor rules and the full GLoBE rules, as well as whether a CbCR is ‘qualifying’. Doug and David also discuss the history and implementation of public CBCR.
11/15/2023 • 41 minutes, 42 seconds
On notice: US developments and Moore hype
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is at PwC’s Tax Leadership Conference in breezy Orlando with Pat Brown, frequent pod guest and co-leader of PwC’s Washington National Tax Services. They discuss US tax updates, including the status and fate of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); the future of Section 163(j); notices and guidance from Treasury, including the recent Section 174 notice 2023-63; FTC relief notice, and what to anticipate in the coming months and years with respect to foreign tax creditability; what’s included and what’s not included under the corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT); Section 367(b) ‘Killer B’ regulations; and the Moore case.
10/30/2023 • 44 minutes, 41 seconds
Trick or treat(y): An update on US treaties
Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is back in Westminster Studios in St. Louis, Missouri with Nils Cousin, a Washington, D.C. based International Tax Services Principal specializing in US inbound taxation. Together they discuss tax treaties, mutual agreement procedures, the concept of competent authority, the treaty process in the US, recent US tax treaty activities, treaty shopping, the USMCA Trade Agreement, and the future of tax treaties in the United States. Among the treaties and agreements discussed are US treaties and agreements with Chile, Croatia, Hungary, Taiwan, and Russia.
10/4/2023 • 45 minutes, 46 seconds
Moore v. US: Constitutionality of international tax
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) and Wade Sutton (former Deputy International Tax Counsel for the US Treasury and newly appointed ITS leader of PwC’s Washington National Tax Practice) are back in Washington, D.C. to discuss the recent Supreme Court grant of certiorari for the Moore v. US case. Doug and Wade go back to their law school days to break down the Moore case, starting with the facts, procedural history, and the potential implications if Section 965 is ruled unconstitutional, including direct taxation, indirect taxation, subpart F, Section 245A, GILTI, and, as always, Pillar Two.
9/20/2023 • 28 minutes, 45 seconds
Poutine Routine: Canada’s Pillar Two, DSTs, with G(AA)Ravy on top
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) and Ken Buttenham meet up in PwC’s Washington, D.C.. studio. Ken leads PwC Canada’s International Tax Practice from Toronto. Doug and Ken kick off with a discussion on Doug’s favorite Canadian food, then dive into the Canadian Pillar Two proposals, discussing the Global Minimum Tax Act (GMTA), UTPR, IIR, QDMTT, compliance, the GloBE Information Return, and tax incentives. They also cover digital services taxes (DSTs), the excessive interest and financing expenses limitation (EIFEL) rules, and the Canadian General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR).
9/7/2023 • 38 minutes, 34 seconds
Pillar Two in Hong Kong: Not yet a sticky wicket?
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) and Jesse Kavanaugh (PwC Hong Kong’s Tax Reporting & Strategy Leader) met up at PwC’s AsiaPac Global Tax Symposium in Singapore. Jesse is an International Tax Partner in Hong Kong and has been leading the region’s Pillar Two tax efforts. They discuss the state of play of Pillar Two in Hong Kong, trends regarding safe harbours and data collection, modeling and calculations challenges, the centralized and decentralized approaches to Pillar Two inherent to the region, and the Hong Kong legislative process. They also touch on the addition of Hong Kong to the EU’s ‘grey list’ and the recent introduction of the Foreign Source Income Exemption (FSIE) Regime for Passive Income.
8/22/2023 • 37 minutes, 6 seconds
Pillar Two Administrative Guidance: More details, more questions
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) is back at Westminster Studios in St. Louis, Missouri where he’s joined by Steve Kohart, International Tax Principal with PwC in New York City and former Advisor for the Center for Tax Policy and Administration for the OECD. Together they discuss the latest wave of OECD Pillar Two guidance including the Subject-to-Tax-Rule (STTR), UTPR safe harbour, qualified domestic minimum top-up tax (QDMTT) safe harbour, marketable transferable tax credits (MTTCs), as well as the six key pieces of the substance base income exclusion (SBIE).
8/14/2023 • 38 minutes, 33 seconds
Pillar Two and Financial Services: What’s the deal?
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by first-time guest Winnie Tang, International Tax Partner in PwC’s Financial Services practice in New York. Doug and Winnie take a rapid fire tour of the Financial Services and Deals space in light of the Pillar Two Transition Period, touching on the definitions of funds, REITs, excluded entities, management company structures, POPEs, Pillar Two in the Deals space, and many more particularities taxpayers should be aware of.
7/26/2023 • 36 minutes, 19 seconds
Pillar Two in South Korea: Effective dates and much more
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) is at PwC’s AsiaPac Tax Symposium in Singapore. He is joined by Michael Kim, a PwC International Tax Partner and South Korea’s Outbound Tax Leader. Doug and Michael discuss South Korea’s enactment of Pillar Two, paying particular attention to effective dates, likely legislative actions, the incorporation of future guidance, how taxpayers are preparing for Pillar Two, Safe Harbours, data collection, and covered taxes.
7/12/2023 • 30 minutes, 16 seconds
EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation: State Aid goes global
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) is at PwC’s Global Financial Services Tax Leaders Meeting in Paris where he is joined by Will Morris, recently named PwC’s Global Tax Policy Leader. Together, they dive into the European Union’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). They start with the origin story, how it intersects with State Aid, how taxpayers can be compliant, the necessity for collecting and saving data and information, consequences for failing to comply, and the challenges that taxpayers will face in the coming years, whether or not they currently do business in the European Union.
6/22/2023 • 40 minutes, 52 seconds
Sweet Child O'Mine: Inbounding Intangibles to the US
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Aaron Junge, PwC National Tax Services International Tax Partner, and former Tax Counsel for the House of Representatives during the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. They discuss the historical perspective of the Section 367(d) rules beginning back in 1984, the recent regulations, and how we got here. Doug and Aaron touch on Section 367(d)’s original intended purpose, how the changes that occurred during TCJA changed intangible property (IP) ownership for US MNC’s (the carrot and the stick metaphor), the possible tax treatments of the repatriation of IP, the applicability dates, and how taxpayers can prepare, while considering Pillar Two, among other areas.
6/7/2023 • 41 minutes, 41 seconds
Freshly Served: Germany’s latest Pillar Two Draft
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined in Madrid by Arne Schnitger, International Tax Partner with PwC Berlin and host of the German podcast Frisch Serviert (Freshly Served). They dive into the German legislative process, compliance and reporting, the German QDMTT, deviations from the OECD Model Rules, as well as the interaction with the US GILTI regime. They also discuss Arne’s recent article, “Does the 'Initial Phase Relief' Make the EU’s Pillar Two Directive Invalid?
5/24/2023 • 39 minutes, 51 seconds
Alphabet soup: A taste of EU tax
Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined in Madrid by Edwin Visser, PwC’s European Tax Policy Leader. Prior to joining PwC, Edwin was the Deputy Director General for Tax Customs Policy and Legislation and Director for Direct Taxes at the Dutch Ministry of Finance. One of the real challenges for tax professionals and advisors is the sheer volume of tax proposals from the European Union. Edwin and Doug discuss the numerous EU tax proposals, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), Green Energy Credits, ATAD3. They also cover the EU’s legislative process, flashback to the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB), then tackle Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation (BEFIT), the SAFE project, and the Debt-equity bias reduction allowance (DEBRA). They cap the episode with a check in on Pillar One and Pillar Two.
5/9/2023 • 47 minutes, 41 seconds
Pillar Two: The UK’s latest installment
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) hosts Matt Ryan, London-based International Tax Partner and leader of PwC’s UK Pillar Two Ready Team. Doug and Matt discuss the second draft of the UK’s Pillar Two legislation, the probable timing of enactment, the accounting implications, the UK’s Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up-Tax, and some of the ‘deviations’ in the UK rules.
4/27/2023 • 43 minutes
Threading the Needle: Pillar Two and the IRA’s Green Energy Credits
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Pat Brown, seven-time veteran of the podcast, and co-leader of PwC’s WNTS practice. Pat has previously worked in the private industry for 16 years, including several years as a VP of tax and director of tax policy. After Pat chooses his most and least favorite CBTT podcasts, Doug and Pat discuss green energy credits, the Pillar Two Model Rules and administrative guidance, how the US and UK R&D credits compare under Pillar Two, refundable credits, transferable credits, the equity investment inclusion election, and qualifying flow-through tax benefits.
4/19/2023 • 44 minutes, 30 seconds
Pillar Two: A Japanese perspective
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Shin Yamaguchi at PwC’s 2023 International Tax Conference. Shin is a Tokyo-based International Tax Partner, where he leads PwC Japan’s Inbound Tax Practice. Doug and Shin discuss Japan’s latest tax developments, focusing on the Pillar Two rules (of course!), specifically, UTPR, IIR, Safe Harbours, QDMTT, the GloBE Information Return and effective dates. They also discuss the Japanese legislative process.Since the recording of this podcast Japan has enacted their 2023 Tax Reform Bill which includes the Pillar Two Income Inclusion Rule which applies on or after April 1, 2024.
4/5/2023 • 37 minutes, 41 seconds
Disequilibrium: The new geopolitical and macroeconomic landscape
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Craig Stonberg at PwC’s 2023 International Tax Conference. Craig is PwC’s Macro Intelligence Leader, and spearheads a team of analysts helping global businesses with geopolitical risks, macroeconomic volatility, and supply chain shifts. Doug and Craig discuss the geopolitical landscape, particularly in Asia and Europe; how a recession would affect multinational companies, the labor shortage that is particularly affecting women, the geopolitical part of the energy equation, and how multinational companies should be preparing for 2023 and beyond.
3/28/2023 • 38 minutes, 36 seconds
Pillar Two Readiness: Complex data and complex challenges
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) is back in Westminster Studios with Kate Miller, a Director in PwC’s Tax Reporting and Strategy Practice. Doug and Kate discuss what is meant by Pillar Two operational readiness and PwC’s Data Input Catalog, including the data requirements, the necessity of resources, the Data Input Catalog, safe harbours, ERP and enterprise systems, the importance of working as a team, how software tools can help, and the power of a centralized rules engine.PwC’s Data Input Catalog
3/14/2023 • 40 minutes, 26 seconds
Searching for Pillar Two clarity: The OECD’s Administrative Guidance
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) records from PwC’s 2023 International Tax Conference, where he is joined by Phil Ramstetter, PwC International Tax Partner based in Chicago. Phil was formerly a tax policy consultant for Business at OECD (BIAC). Doug and Phil overcome conference background noise to discuss the recent administrative guidance, but start with a history lesson on Pillar Two, when it was merely the Digital Project. Topics covered include blended CFC regimes, GILTI, expense apportionment, loss-making jurisdictions, transition period transactions, common control, the outlook for future guidance and some of the remaining open questions.
3/8/2023 • 34 minutes, 21 seconds
Pascal Saint-Amans: The Pillar Two Origin Story
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) records from PwC’s 2023 International Tax Conference, where he is joined by Pascal Saint-Amans, former Director of the OECD's Centre for Tax Policy and Administration and current partner with Brunswick, a strategic advisory firm. Doug and Pascal dive directly into the BEPS Project with an overview of the Pillar Two origin story, the challenges and successes of the project, harmful tax practices and the ways the OECD is trying to change tax systems, the natural complexity of tax, the future of tax incentives, compliance requirements, the private sector’s role in the policy process and much more.
3/1/2023 • 36 minutes, 31 seconds
Opening a CAMT of worms? Notice 2023-7
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Jason Black, a PwC WNTS partner in the Federal Tax Services Group. Doug and Jason start with words of wisdom for accounting majors before diving into a discussion of the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT), formerly known as the Inflation Reduction Act’s Book Minimum Tax. They cover the details of Notice 2023-7, including the safe harbor rules, depreciation adjustments, M&A considerations, comparisons to Pillar Two, and much more.
2/14/2023 • 38 minutes, 55 seconds
Pillar Two: GloBE Return and CbyC Safe Harbours
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Mike Olecki, PwC’s International Tax Services Global Technology Leader and partner in the Quantitative Services Tax Practice. Doug and Mike discuss the OECD Pillar Two documents released in December 2022, including the transitional CbyCR safe harbour, the potential for a permanent safe harbour, the GloBE Information Return, calculation challenges, and how technology can help.
2/1/2023 • 42 minutes, 20 seconds
2022 Year in Review
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Pat Brown, International Tax Partner and co-Leader of the Washington National Tax Practice to look back at the very eventful and tortured 2022 year in international taxation. They cover topics including US Congressional activities, Treasury’s 2022 regulations and guidance, recent international tax and transfer pricing rulings, and the progress made on Pillar One & Two.
1/24/2023 • 51 minutes, 38 seconds
New FTC Regs: Raise your creditability score
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Ninee Dewar, PwC International Tax Services Principal, to discuss the recently released 2022 proposed foreign tax credit (FTC) regulations. These regulations relax some of the stringent creditability requirements that were set forth in the 2021 final FTC regulations. Doug and Ninee dive into changes to the cost recovery requirement, the attribution requirement for withholding tax on royalty payments, and the definition of a reattribution asset for purposes of allocating and apportioning foreign taxes.
1/9/2023 • 34 minutes, 15 seconds
Propósito Principal: Mexican tax reforms
Doug McHoney, PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader, is joined by Mario Alberto Gutierez, International Tax Partner based in Mexico City, and Leader of PwC’s International Tax Practice in Mexico. Doug and Mario discuss Mexico’s implementation of the multilateral instrument, Mexican tax treaties and the potential for treaty abuse, how the 2022 Tax Act changes the game with regard to share transfers, the Maquiladora regime, the Mexican manufacturing industry more broadly including business transformations and ‘near shoring,’ and debt structures and the ‘inflation adjustment’ in Mexico. Not surprisingly, Pillar Two makes a cameo appearance.
12/19/2022 • 36 minutes, 24 seconds
UK Updates: Pillar Two is Coming
Doug McHoney, PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader, is in Barcelona, Spain at PwC’s Global Tax Symposium. On this episode, Doug is joined by Matt Ryan, a UK-based International Tax Partner with PwC. Doug and Matt discuss the UK’s parliamentary process, Liz Truss’s resignation, the corporate tax proposed changes, and Pillar Two, including a qualified domestic minimum tax, the income inclusion rule, and the under taxed payments rule. They also cover the finer points of UK’s treatment of asset transfers, deferred taxes, year-end adjustments, and the system and data requirements that companies must address.
12/12/2022 • 34 minutes, 16 seconds
Inbound Challenges: A Head of Tax Discussion
Doug McHoney, PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader, is at PwC’s Global Transfer Pricing Conference in Berlin, Germany, joined by Omri Yaniv, Global Head of Tax at Amdocs Ltd, based in Tel Aviv. Omri is a former PwC partner, and the first Tax VP from a non-US-parented company to appear on the podcast. Doug and Omri discuss the three pillars of Omri’s job, Amdocs’ tax department, the accounting talent war, recent global tax changes, and the potential changes on the horizon.
11/28/2022 • 37 minutes, 56 seconds
Transfer Pricing: A macroeconomic view
Doug McHoney, PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader, welcomes Horacio Pena, Tax Principal, Senior Economist and PwC’s Global Transfer Pricing Network Leader, to the podcast. Doug and Horacio provide the macroview of the transfer pricing environment, covering global inflation, China’s COVID restrictions, environmental volatility, the dollar’s strengthening against other currencies, regionalization, a brief touch on Pillar Two, country-by-country reporting, and more.
11/8/2022 • 33 minutes, 47 seconds
Pillar Two: A German Perspective
Doug McHoney, PwC’s Global International Tax Services Leader, is at PwC’s Global Transfer Pricing Conference in Berlin, Germany. Doug honors Ocktoberfest by donning lederhosenis to host Arne Schnitger, PwC International Tax Partner based in Berlin. Arne hosts the German tax podcast Frisch Serviert - der Steuerpodcast. They discuss Pillar Two issues in the EU, the US, and Germany, the differences approaches each jurisdiction takes when calculating the tax, the US book minimum tax, GILTI, refundable credits, allocation of expenses, the German implementation process, tax return filing, operational readiness, German anti-hybrid rules, and German Section 49.
10/26/2022 • 39 minutes, 5 seconds
Currency Exchange: Getting your Dollars worth
Doug McHoney (PwC's Global International Tax Services Leader) welcomes Rebecca Lee (Washington National Tax Services International Tax Partner). Doug and Rebecca discuss the many tax aspects of a strong US dollar, including cream skimming, foreign exchange gains and losses with branches and CFCs, previously taxed earnings, translational versus transactional gain or loss, and more. Can Doug and Rebecca go the entire podcast without mentioning a code section? Tune in to find out!
10/10/2022 • 42 minutes, 22 seconds
Reshaping US Transfer Pricing: Impact of Medtronic
Doug McHoney (PwC's Global International Tax Services Leader) welcomes first-time guest Kristina Novak (Washington National Tax Services Transfer Pricing Principal) and returning guest Alex Voloshko (PwC’s Value Chain Transformation Leader) to discuss the Medtronic case. They highlight the key takeaways including intellectual property considerations, transfer pricing trends, licensing models, business transformation trends for customers, and of course, a brief discussion of how Pillar Two will fit in.
9/27/2022 • 44 minutes, 18 seconds
The Metaverse and Tax: A non fungible discussion
Doug McHoney (PwC's Global International Tax Services Leader) welcomes Rebecca Lee, International Tax Services Principal in the Washington National Tax Practice for her sixth visit. Doug and Rebecca dispel myths associated with cryptocurrency and the metaverse. They break down definitions of some of the trickiest metaverse jargon, the tax implications of metaverse transactions, and where we are heading in the near future.
9/13/2022 • 47 minutes, 28 seconds
Let's make a Deal: What’s behind Pillar Two?
Doug McHoney (PwC's Global International Tax Services Leader) welcomes back podcast regular Calum Dewar (Principal, International tax services) to discuss Pillar Two. This time Doug and Calum dive deep into the deals area, including the Pillar Two tax consequences of specific deal transactions and structures. They also talk about the recent release of both the South Korea and UK Pillar Two draft rules.
8/30/2022 • 52 minutes, 31 seconds
The IRA and Book Minimum Tax: Not a Pillar Two Podcast
Doug McHoney (PwC's Global International Tax Services Leader) is joined by Aaron Junge in Westminster Studios. Aaron is International Tax Partner in PwC’s Washington’s National Tax Services and was previously Tax Counsel in the House Ways and Means Committee during the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act implementation. Doug and Aaron discuss the corporate alternative minimum tax (also called the ‘Book Minimum Tax’) and other Inflation Reduction Act tax provisions, which President Biden signed into law on August 16. More specifically, they cover the BMT effective date and its scope, what are applicable corporations, changes to the aggregation rules, what is applicable financial statement income, common adjustments, calculating the AMT foreign tax credit, and what guidance we might see from Treasury.
8/17/2022 • 48 minutes, 12 seconds
Risk modeling: Quantitative insights for business intelligence
Doug McHoney (PwC Global International Tax Services Leader) is joined by Richard de Haan, PwC Global and US Risk Modeling Services Leader. Doug and Rich discuss climate risk modeling, the climate for risk in the C-Suite, how ESG is impacting business decisions, data sources (including geospatial data) for modeling, dealing with risk in the supply chain,the impact of AI and machine learning, and how visualizations help tell the story.
8/10/2022 • 50 minutes, 6 seconds
Living with Uncertainty: Fortune 50 SVP of Tax and Treasury
Doug McHoney (PwC's Global International Tax Services Leader) is joined by Tadd Fowler, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Head of Global Tax Operations of Procter and Gamble and former PwC International Tax Services partner. Doug and Tadd discuss Tadd’s perspective as a Treasurer and Head of Tax, P&G’s approach to tax, working with the C-suite, connecting with Global and US policymakers, advancements in technology, the new FTC rules, Pillar Two, and much more.
7/11/2022 • 41 minutes, 34 seconds
100th Episode Special: The evolution of global structuring
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Mike Urse, current International Tax Partner and former US International Tax Services Leader for the 100th episode of the Cross Border Tax Talks podcast. Doug and Mike discuss the changing world of international taxation, focusing on the current status of holding companies, finance companies, and Intangible property companies. Mike provides insights and analysis from almost 40 years of international tax experience and sheds some light on the future state of play.
6/22/2022 • 37 minutes, 22 seconds
In the Clouds: Pillar 2 Operational Readiness
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined in Washington D.C. by Dom Megna, Tax Partner and leader of PwC’s US Tax Reporting and Strategy practice. They discuss the latest on Pillar Two developments, GAAP considerations, Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, the Cloud, the future of data collection, and more.
6/13/2022 • 40 minutes
Back to School: Mindy Herzfeld’s Pillar 2 insights
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Mindy Herzfeld, professor of tax practice at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she teaches International Tax, to discuss Pillar Two rules.
5/25/2022 • 46 minutes, 55 seconds
Green Book Proposals: Codifying Pillar 2 in the US?
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Pat Brown, PwC’s International Tax Policy Leader, making his sixth appearance on the podcast. Doug and Pat discuss the Biden Administration's fiscal year 2023 budget proposals as explained in the Green Book, how some of the proposals interact with the OECD’s Pillar Two Model Rules, and what taxpayers might expect.
5/9/2022 • 45 minutes, 5 seconds
Pillar 2 Commentary: A knowledge GAAP?
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by PwC’s Calum Dewar, Leader of PwC’s Integrated Global Structuring practice. They discuss the Pillar Two Model Rules & Commentary and its potential impacts on the global tax system, transfer pricing adjustments, deals and more.
4/27/2022 • 50 minutes, 45 seconds
Spin the Globe Macroeconomic and Geopolitical trends
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by PwC’s Dr. Alexis Crow, PwC’s Geopolitical Investing Practice Leader. They discuss macroeconomic trends, the geopolitical landscape, the inflationary environment, trade wars, global/economic impacts on various sectors,and much more.
4/6/2022 • 39 minutes, 51 seconds
The Final FTC Regs: Credibility for Creditability?
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by PwC’s Washington National Tax Services International Tax Leader Michael DiFronzo, former Deputy Associate Chief Tax Counsel International at the IRS. They discuss some of the practicalities of the creditability rules in the Final FTC regulations (see February 2022 CBTT episode with Wade Sutton for an overview of the regulations), particularly cost recovery, attribution requirements, an unintended incentive to offshore IP, and foreign jurisdiction considerations.
3/25/2022 • 37 minutes, 31 seconds
Whirlpool Appellate Decision: A new standard for subpart F?
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by PwC Value Chain Transformation Specialist Tom Quinn. They discuss the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to uphold the US Tax Court’s May 5, 2020 decision, and concluded that a CFC’s income ‘attributable to’ a branch, in this case a manufacturing branch, per se is foreign based company sales income (FBCSI) under the statute if a ‘substantial tax deferral effect’ is found. They specifically discuss the Maquilladora structure, FBCSI, a ‘substantial tax-deferral effect’, the Court’s interpretation of the branch rule, and future implications for other taxpayers.Note: Since the recording of this podcast, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied Whirlpool’s request for a rehearing. Whirlpool has 90 days from March 2, 2022, to petition for certiorari with the US Supreme Court.
3/9/2022 • 39 minutes, 48 seconds
ATAD3 - impacting the financial services industry and more
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Puneet Arora, PwC ITS Partner and PwC’s Financial Services Consulting leader. They discuss the latest EU anti-tax avoidance directive (ATAD3), diving into the details and impact it could have on the financial services industry; the importance of modeling for Pillar Two; and the G in ESG, governance.
2/24/2022 • 43 minutes, 42 seconds
Double taxation ahead? Parsing the final FTC regs
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Wade Sutton, PwC ITS Partner in the Washington National Tax Practice office and former deputy international tax council at Treasury. They discuss the highly technical topics of the final foreign tax credit regulations, credibility of tax under Section 901, the definition of an income tax, DSTs, nonresident taxation, effective dates, digital services taxes, withholding taxes, nonresident capital gains taxes, Puerto Rican excise tax, BEPS 2.0 and much more.
2/7/2022 • 40 minutes, 23 seconds
All aboard! The Pillar Two train is leaving the OECD and EU stations
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Calum Dewar, PwC ITS Partner and leader of PwC’s Integrated Global Structuring Practice, heading our Outbound, Inbound, and Value Chain Transformation teams. Doug and Calum discuss Pillar Two Model Rules, the OECD/G20’s Inclusive Framework, the EU Directive, and more specifically the Income Inclusion Rule, the Under Tax Payment Rule and how country-by-country GILTI and the new final FTC regulations could impact the result for US MNCs.
1/21/2022 • 57 minutes, 29 seconds
Below the line: Getting tax a seat at the business table
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined in PwC’s DC studio by Mohamed Kande, PwC Vice-Chair and US and Global Advisory Leader. They discuss the need for proactive and intentional mentorship; relationship building in the virtual environment; the three different types of transformation trending in the market; and how (and why) tax should get a seat at the business table.
1/6/2022 • 45 minutes, 13 seconds
Tax reform: Digging in, before building back
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Jeff Endress, US Outbound Tax Practice leader. They discuss the House-passed Build Back Better (BBB) bill, delayed effective dates, Section 163(n), foreign tax credits, country-by-country, the complexity of global tax, Pillar Two, uncertainties in the deals market, and the future of tax reform.
12/14/2021 • 42 minutes, 27 seconds
Why International Tax? One professional's career journey
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Ugo Alisiobi, ITS Partner, based in our New York Metro ITS practice, for Ugo’s first time in St. Louis. They discuss their paths to careers in international taxation; the struggles, joys, and rewards of being an international tax practitioner; being proactive and authentic in your career; imposter syndrome; finding - and being - a mentor; and working at PwC.
11/30/2021 • 42 minutes, 24 seconds
Cryptocurrency Trends: Blockchain goes mainstream
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is joined by Rebecca Lee (PwC ITS Washington National Tax Partner), who specializes in cross-border financial transactions. They discuss trends in cryptocurrency, including ‘operation hidden treasure,’ taxation of cryptocurrency transactions, US tax reform, El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender, blockchain in the insurance industry, Bitcoin as an exchange traded fund (ETF), the digitalization of trust, updates on non fungible tokens (NFTs), the impact of decentralized finance (DeFi) on capital markets, and market implications around the world.
11/10/2021 • 40 minutes, 21 seconds
BEPS 2.0 Update: not IF but when
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is in PwC's brand new studio in Washington, DC with Will Morris (PwC’s Deputy Global Tax Policy Leader). Will also was appointed Chair to the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union and Chair to the Business Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD. Doug and Will discuss the journey thus far to Pillar One and Pillar Two. They touch on, among other things, the future impacts on US-based multinational companies, what has changed in recent months, digital services taxes & unilateral measures, details of Amount A under Pillar One, possible winners and losers, segmentation, scoping, the potential new instrument needed for implementation, details of Globe under Pillar Two, including the minimum rate, and of course, the timeline for implementing these changes.
10/26/2021 • 48 minutes, 37 seconds
Playing by House Rules: More analysis of the Ways & Means bil
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is back in Westminster Studios with Nita Asher (PwC International Tax Services Partner), who served as legislative council at the Joint Committee on Taxation from 2017 to 2018. Doug and Nita pick up from the previous podcast with Sherry Grabow, and discuss the legislative climate; covering, among other topics: the legislative process for tax reform, how this iteration of reform differs from 2017, granting of regulatory authority, impact of proposed changes to Section 163(n), the wholesale changes proposed to BEAT; clarification to foreign personal holding company income; and new foreign tax carryforward rules.
10/8/2021 • 44 minutes, 48 seconds
Tax Reform 2.0: the House "Ways" in
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) is live at the Westminster Studios with Sherry Grabow (PwC's US International Tax Services Co-Leader) to discuss the international tax provisions in the recently released ‘Chairman’s Mark’ from the House Ways and Means Committee. Doug and Sherry cover, among other topics: Interest expense under new Section 163(n) and existing Section 163(j); changes to foreign derived intangible income (FDII), modifications to the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) regime, changes to the foreign tax credit rules; sweeping changes to subpart F income; a refreshed base erosion and anti-abuse tax (BEAT), and how taxpayers should prepare for potential changes to the tax rules.
9/20/2021 • 42 minutes, 43 seconds
Tax Reform 2.0: Hot topics in inbound taxation
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) is live at the Westminster Studios with Tom Patten (ITS Partner based in London) to discuss current and future tax considerations for US inbound companies. Doug and Tom chew on toasted ravioli and sandwich structures and then cover, among other topics: the impact of a Pillar 2 regime on US inbound companies; the potential for replacing the base erosion anti-abuse tax (BEAT) with the Stopping Harmful Inversions and Ending Low-tax Developments (SHIELD) provision, impending changes and proposals to interest expense, further limiting the ability of domestic corporations to expatriate; the effects of Brexit on US inbounds; and the potential for Pillar 1 to spurn treaty negotiation and ratification.
9/1/2021 • 41 minutes, 38 seconds
A hundred year storm: BEPS 2.0 Update
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Leader) is live at the Westminster Studios with Calum Dewar (Integrated Global Structuring Leader) to discuss the OECD’s Two Pillar solution to address the taxation of the digitalization of the economy. Doug and Calum cover, among other topics: Pillar 1 - the reallocation of profits of large multinational companies; Pillar 2 - a global minimum tax rate of at least 15%; the momentum to find a consensus agreement; the design challenges the OECD still faces; how PIllar 2 proposals compare to the US GILTI regime; the potential for carve outs and segmentation; the implementation obstacles in the United States; and the importance of US multinationals to engage with policy makers.
8/20/2021 • 42 minutes, 41 seconds
Bringing code to the Code: Tech trends in International Tax
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Leader) is live at the Westminster Studios with John McDonald (Quantitative Solutions & Technologies Managing Director) to discuss the role of technology in tax. Doug and John cover, among other topics: the cross section of computer science and tax; the economics of the professional services industry; how TCJA has made taxation much more complex; the digital evolution of tax research; the power of definitions and testing to retain information; the usefulness of a graph data structure in tax; how centralized rules engines are superior to spreadsheets; the power of visualizations; the future of probability analysis in taxation, and the need for change management.
8/4/2021 • 45 minutes, 18 seconds
EU Update: State Aid, CBCR and Tax in the 21st Century
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) holds another post-vaccine session live at the Westminster Studios with Maarten Maaskant (PwC’s Foreign Tax Desk Leader) to discuss the latest happenings in the European Union (EU) from a legislative, administrative, and judicial perspective. Doug and Maarten cover, among other topics: both the Amazon and Engie state aid decisions in the EU General Court and their future implications; public country-by-country reporting; the European Commission (EC) proposal for a new instrument to address potential distortive effects of foreign subsidies; and the EC communication on business taxation for the 21st century.
7/21/2021 • 37 minutes, 23 seconds
Post Covid-19 globalization: Dead, dying, or here to stay?
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) sits down virtually with Dr. Alexis Crow (PwC's Global Leader of Geopolitical Investing Practice) to discuss the state of globalization, and more specifically, whether we have seen the end of globalization. Doug and Alexis cover how the landscape has shifted, and how we got to the current state; tensions within the technology sector, including a 'cold war' from a technology perspective; the globalization of the financial services sector; possible solutions for global cohesion; trends in tax and business from digital and environmental perspectives, and the increasing significance of Asia's role; climate policies and the 'greening' of financial flows; and the future of globalization, including what business leaders and investors should expect in a covid-recovering global economy.
7/1/2021 • 42 minutes, 30 seconds
Explaining the explanation: Biden’s Greenbook
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) holds the second post-vaccine session live at the Westminster Studios with Pat Brown (PwC WNTS Policy Co-leader) to discuss President Biden’s FY 22 Budget and the much anticipated and related explanations of such proposals, also known as the Treasury Green Book. Doug and Pat cover, among other proposals: increasing the US corporate income tax rate from 21% to 28%; increasing the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) tax rate to 21%; removing the qualified business asset investment (QBAI) provision; repealing the deduction for foreign derived intangible income (FDII); replacing the Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT) with a Stopping Harmful Inversions and Ending Low-tax Developments (SHIELD) provision; restricting deductions of excessive interest for disproportionate borrowing in the US; the status and likelihood of the OECD’s Pillars One and Two; and what companies should consider as potential tax legislation becomes more likely.
6/8/2021 • 59 minutes, 21 seconds
Environmental, social & governance (ESG): Taxing matters
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) is joined in person at the Westminster Studios by David Parrish (PwC's ESG Tax Leader) to discuss the umbrella term environmental, social, & governance. Doug and David cover: the definition of ESG; its effects on a company's business and footprint; the driving forces of NGOs, investors, consumers, and governments; the impacts it has on deals, capital investment, & tax; the alignment of ESG corporate strategies and goals; and the path forward from sustainability, transparency, and value chain perspectives.
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Leader) and David Cueller (PwC Mexico’s Tax and Legal Services Leader) discuss Mexican developments, including outsourcing reform and Mexico's current position in the OECD BEPS Project. Doug and David cover: the history of Mexico's outsourcing regime; recent disruptive changes made to various laws, including the Income Tax Law, VAT Law, and Labor Law; the specialized services exception; companies impacted by the recent law changes; the potential for penalties and tax fraud; relevant compliance concerns; and US tax considerations. They also discuss Mexico's BEPS-aligned legislation and the non-deductibility of payments to certain foreign entities.
5/11/2021 • 42 minutes, 20 seconds
Behind the scenes: a tax policy discussion with Chip Harter
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Chip Harter (Senior Policy Advisor in PwC's Washington National Tax Services Practice and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Tax Affairs in the Office of Tax Policy at the US Department of the Treasury) discuss Chip's experiences at Treasury and the latest outlook for tax policy. Doug and Chip cover: Chip's involvement in the review and publication of IRS regulations and the role of Treasury officials in the regulations' process; Chip's involvement in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA); Chip's thoughts on the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) regime and his reaction to the interplay of the foreign tax credit regime and GILTI; the history and recent updates to the GILTI high-tax exception; and the prospects for a 'true' global minimum tax and the outlook for agreement on the OECD's base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project.
5/5/2021 • 28 minutes, 27 seconds
SPACs: the confluence of A-list celebs and Sec. 7874
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Thomas Groenen (PwC's US ITS-Financial Services Leader) discuss the renewed interest in special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs). Doug and Thomas cover: how Thomas made his way from the UK to the US; Thomas's advice for individuals interested in moving to the United States to become tax professionals; what a SPAC is and how it generally functions; the history of SPACs—dating back to the British 'South Sea bubble' in the early 18th century; how SPACs compare to and interrelate with IPOs; how and why individuals and entities invest in SPACs; the tax implications for SPAC investors; considerations regarding the SPAC's jurisdiction; the SPAC lifecycle, from founding to de-SPACing; the importance of choosing the correct investment vehicle (both corporate v. pass-through and domestic v. foreign); how the passive foreign investment company (PFIC) regime interplays with foreign SPACs; and the possible future of SPACs.
4/14/2021 • 38 minutes, 41 seconds
From Audit to Tax: a conversation with PwC’s US Tax Leader
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Kathryn Kaminsky (PwC's Vice Chair - US Tax Leader) discuss Kathryn's background and her transition to PwC's US Tax Leader. Doug and Kathryn cover: Kathryn's experience as a woman in the audit and tax professions; how men can be advocates and allies for women; the differences between advocacy and mentorship; how to ensure career paths are not inhibited by the desire to have a family; Kathryn's experience as an auditor and leading practices for tax practitioners, auditors, and businesses; the challenges in communicating nuanced technical issues; challenges in transitioning from Audit to Tax and what we can learn from Kathryn's experiences over the past nine months as US Tax Leader; best practices for remote working; conversations Kathryn has been having with companies regarding potential upcoming domestic and global tax policy changes; how tax professionals can elevate issues to the C-suite; and why every business decision has a tax implication.
4/1/2021 • 39 minutes, 45 seconds
Social justice: how the CEO Action for Racial Equity is effectuating change
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Roy Weathers (PwC's Vice Chair for Societal Engagement and Policy Solutions) discuss Roy's new role as CEO of CEO Action for Racial Equity. Doug and Roy cover: what CEO Action for Racial Equity is and its goals; the resources businesses like PwC and other companies have committed; how CEO Action for Racial Equity is effectuating policy change to advance racial equity; how data and technology help CEO Action for Racial Equity fellows ideate policies and ideas; how the fellows analyze and prioritize issues; specific issues that CEO Action for Racial Equity is targeting, such as telehealth; potential politicization over these types of issues and how data and common interests can help overcome the politicization; Roy's experience as a Black tax professional; and how everyone can keep the momentum going to implement, cause, and create change.
3/19/2021 • 37 minutes, 21 seconds
Trading places: Trade considerations for tax professionals
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Chris Desmond (PwC's Global Trade Services Practice Leader) discuss the global trade landscape. In addition to their prognostications for Major League Baseball's NL Central division, Doug and Chris cover: how trade and tax are interrelated; how businesses can structure their trade and tax groups to encourage coordination; the 'big picture' trade landscape both inside and outside of the US; recent changes to US trade regulations; Section 301 and how Section 301 tariffs operate; impacts that Katherine Tai—President Biden's nominee for United States Trade Representative—may have on US trade policy; what duty drawback is and how businesses can utilize it; global updates to digital service taxes (DSTs) and how Section 301 tariffs interrelate with DSTs; how practical it is for businesses to shift supply chains in light of tariffs; President Biden's 'Made in America' executive order and how it may impact multinational enterprises; the importance of modeling from both a trade and tax perspective; and final pieces of advice for taxpayers.
3/4/2021 • 38 minutes, 28 seconds
Grab your passport: global tax policy update
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Will Morris (PwC's Deputy Global Tax Policy Leader) discuss important updates to international tax policy. Doug and Will cover: recent updates to the OECD's base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project—BEPS 2.0—including the proposed timeline for agreement, unresolved issues in the Pillar One and Pillar Two Blueprints, and potential challenges to implementation; recent IRS and Treasury appointees and how these individuals may affect domestic and international policy; the challenges of amending US treaties even if the OECD's Inclusive Framework reaches consensus; the EU Court of Justice's recent decision in Lexel AB v. Skatteverket regarding the EU's 'freedom of establishment' concept and how this decision may cause challenges in implementing Pillar Two in the European Union; recent developments concerning digital service taxes (DST), including a look at the UK's proposed online sales tax and diverted profits tax, India's equalization levy, and Indonesia's electronic transactions tax; a recent court decision in France related to a permanent establishments; and how taxpayers can prepare for international tax disruption.
2/18/2021 • 37 minutes, 20 seconds
More items of interest: The final 163(j) regulations
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Rebecca Lee (ITS Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services office) have much to cover with the recently released final regulations under Section 163(j). Doug and Rebecca discuss: the background of the interest expense limitation rules under Section 163(j); the content and formulation of the 2018 proposed regulations, 2020 proposed regulations, and 2020 final regulations issued under Section 163(j); the new administration's potential influence on the 2021 final regulations; how the 2021 final regulations amend the definition of 'interest' and the calculation of adjusted taxable income (ATI); how the 2021 final regulations affect C corporations, consolidated groups, and partnerships; what the CFC group election is and how companies can make the election; the many anti-abuse rules contained in the 2021 final regulations; changes to the safe-harbor election; and advice for taxpayers on how to consistently and accurately apply the multitude of rules under Section 163(j).
2/11/2021 • 43 minutes, 23 seconds
Bring SALT to the table: Key state and local topics
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Rob Ozmun (State and Local Tax (SALT) Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services office) peel the onion on how state and local tax issues can impact cross-border planning, and vice versa. Doug and Rob set the table with a brief primer on state and local corporate tax, then devour topics including: state conformity to the Internal Revenue Code; how different states have handled federal developments regarding subpart F income, global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI), the Section 965 'toll charge,' and the Section 250 deduction; how businesses are analyzing the dividends received deduction (DRD) under Section 245A and the GILTI high-tax exception at the state level; important state and local considerations related to the business interest expense deduction rules under Section 163(j); how states have reacted to the CARES Act; how states have implemented (or declined to implement) the base-erosion and anti-abuse tax (BEAT); and key considerations for taxpayers. Come hungry for knowledge, leave satiated.
2/5/2021 • 38 minutes, 29 seconds
US tax reform 2.0? Biden's international tax campaign proposals
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Nita Asher (ITS Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services office) cover some of President Biden's campaign tax proposals. Doug and Nita discuss: the current state of Congress and the White House; President Biden's campaign proposals to increase the corporate and global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) tax rates, move the GILTI determination to a country-by-country basis, eliminate the exemption for qualified business asset investment (QBAI), amend the base erosion and anti-abuse (BEAT) tax, and implement a minimum tax on global book income; how President Biden's proposals interact with the OECD's ongoing base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project; the budget reconciliation process in the Senate and the likelihood of Congress enacting President Biden's proposals; what the regulatory landscape may look like under the Biden administration; and why taxpayers should engage with policymakers in a timely manner.
1/22/2021 • 42 minutes, 36 seconds
Supply and demand: key value chain considerations in 2021
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Alex Voloshko (PwC's Value Chain Transformation Leader and ITS Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services office) discuss key considerations for value chains in 2021. Doug and Alex define 'value chain,' and how it includes the 'supply chain,' the 'demand chain,' and more; how value chains impact tax and transfer pricing; how supply chains were disrupted in 2020 and the outlook for supply chains in the new year; the plethora of factors that go into value and supply chain planning, including cost structure, access to qualified labor and production capabilities, regulatory considerations, and tax costs; the growing pressure on companies to 'near shore' and diversify their value chains; important trends for multinational entities, including increased scrutiny from tax authorities and increased transparency; the increasing importance of managing growth in a strategic manner; and recent trends concerning permanent establishments (PE).
1/7/2021 • 37 minutes, 57 seconds
WHT do you mean? A 95 year old German withholding tax on royalties
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Dr. Arne Schnitger (Head of PwC Germany's National Tax Office) discuss withholding taxation in Germany pursuant to Section 49 of Germany's tax code. Doug and Arne discuss: the background of Germany's Section 49 withholding tax and the circumstances under which Section 49 applies; the recent Circular issued by the German authorities discussing the application of Section 49; potential legal challenges to Section 49 taxation, including constitutionality and estoppel; the definition of 'German-registered IP' and 'EU-registered IP', and how tax advisers determine which royalties are subject to tax under Section 49; the interplay between withholding taxation and treaty jurisdictions; the importance of exemption certificates for prospective payments; what companies should do regarding historic liabilities; potential penalties for failure to file and/or remit tax as required by Section 49; and final pieces of advice for multinational taxpayers impacted by Section 49. [NOTE: The majority of this episode was recorded prior to the German Ministry of Finance's release of draft, proposed legislation (in German) regarding the effective repeal of Section 49(1) on an extraterritorial basis as it applies to IP registered in Germany. During the final five minutes of this podcast, Doug and Arne discuss key takeaways from this draft legislation.]
12/10/2020 • 52 minutes, 18 seconds
Extension cord: The story of tax extenders
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Leader) and Rohit Kumar (co-leader of PwC's Washington National Tax Services practice) discuss the past, present, and future of tax extenders. Doug and Rohit discuss: Rohit's experience as Domestic Policy Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell; what tax extenders are and why they exist; the importance of the ten-year congressional budget window; the political calculus involved in determining whether certain tax provisions are temporary or permanent; the background and history of the controlled foreign corporation (CFC) look-through rule; potential alternatives to the tax extender regime; and the necessity for bipartisanship due to the upcoming 'fiscal cliff' at the end of 2025, caused by the potential expiration of a multitude of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TJCA) provisions.
11/30/2020 • 37 minutes, 53 seconds
Going for the gold: macroeconomics in 2021 and beyond
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Craig Stronberg (leader of Macro Capability for PwC Intelligence) discuss key macroeconomic considerations after November's elections. Doug and Craig discuss: the global implications of President-elect Biden's upcoming administration; the potential for tax reform in 2021 and beyond; the future of trade and diplomacy with China, including potential changes to supply chains, onshoring, and digital currencies; trends in 'protectionism' both inside and outside the US; key advice Craig has for executives and multinational corporations in light of the current geopolitical uncertainties; and Craig's experience working to protect the Olympic games.
11/13/2020 • 42 minutes, 11 seconds
Hard hat area: the OECD's Blueprints on Pillar One and Pillar Two
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Pat Brown (PwC's International Tax Policy Leader) discuss the OECD's recently released blueprints on Pillars One and Two. Doug and Pat discuss: Pat becoming the most frequent Cross-border Tax Talks guest (four) and the sizing for Pat's 'Five-Timers' jacket when he next appears (spoiler: 42 Long); the background of the OECD's base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project and the progression from 'BEPS 1.0' to 'BEPS 2.0'; the background of Pillar One, including a discussion of 'Amount A' and 'Amount B'; the background of Pillar Two, including a discussion of the 'undertaxed payments rule' and the 'income inclusion rule'; highlights from the OECD's Blueprint on Pillar One, including the concept of 'consumer-facing businesses'; highlights from the OECD's Blueprint on Pillar Two, including the OECD's 'jurisdictional-blending' approach and the 'income-inclusion' regime; and what the future looks like for BEPS 2.0 implementation in 2021 and beyond.
10/30/2020 • 49 minutes, 43 seconds
You down with FTC? The new Foreign Tax Credit regulations
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Mike Urse (ITS Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services practice) discuss the recently released final and proposed foreign tax credit (FTC) regulations. Doug and Mike (who participated in our inaugural CBTT podcast over two years ago) go deep on interest, stewardship, and research and development (R&D) expense apportionment under the final FTC regulations; the importance in modeling potential retroactivity of the R&D regulations; the intricacies in allocating and apportioning foreign taxes; foreign tax redeterminations under Section 905(c); the 'disregarded payment rule' under the proposed regulations; how to determine if a tax is 'creditable' and the new concept of 'jurisdictional nexus' in the proposed regulations; the revocation of the 'contested tax doctrine,' and additional proposed changes to the research and expenditure (R&E) allocation rules. Mike leaves listeners with a nice summary of the highlights and key takeaways from these regulations.
10/23/2020 • 42 minutes, 4 seconds
Tales from the crypt(o) - Global taxation of digital assets
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Mazhar Wani (PwC's FinTech Tax Leader) discuss PwC's Annual Global Crypto Tax Report and recent developments concerning digital assets. Doug and Mazhar discuss: what 'digital assets' are; the OECD's recent report, 'Taxing Virtual Currencies,' and how it compares with PwC's Annual Global Crypto Tax Report; the distinctions between cryptocurrencies and digital assets; the increase in guidance concerning digital assets and potential incentives for jurisdictions to lead in the digital asset space; how regulators around the world are treating the taxation of digital assets; the importance of classifying digital assets as 'property' or 'currency,' and distinctions between the two classifications; what 'staking' is and recent global trends regarding 'staking'; what 'decentralized finance' (DeFi) is and the future of DeFi; trends in the indirect tax space concerning digital assets; and recommendations for taxpayers looking to enter the digital asset space.
10/16/2020 • 33 minutes, 53 seconds
Extraordinary Considerations: the 245A DRD regulations
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Aaron Junge (ITS Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services practice) discuss the recently-released final and proposed dividends received deduction (DRD) regulations under Section 245A. Doug and Aaron discuss: Aaron's background as Tax Counsel for the Committee on Ways and Means in the US House of Representatives and how this experience proves valuable in the private sector; the background and architecture of Section 245A; important topics included in the final and proposed DRD regulations including hybrid dividends, extraordinary dispositions (ED), and extraordinary reductions (ER); topics not fully contemplated in the final and proposed regulations, including certain mechanical rules of the DRD; how the ED rules interplay with the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) and Section 965 'toll charge' rules; notable changes from the 2019 temporary DRD regulations to the 2020 final DRD regulations, including changes to the treatment of sales of intellectual property (IP) and mitigating the circumstances in which the DRD rules produce double-taxation; what an ER is and how the final regulations clarify the year-end close election; and major takeaways from the proposed regulations, including coordination of the ED rules and application of the disqualified basis rules.
10/2/2020 • 38 minutes, 54 seconds
Road to Election 2020 with Chairman Dave Camp
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Chairman Dave Camp (Senior Policy Advisor in PwC's Washington National Tax Services practice and former Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means) discuss the past, present, and future of tax policy. Doug and Chairman Camp discuss: Chairman Camp's proposals for a global minimum tax during his tenure in Congress and how his proposals compare to the OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project; Vice President Biden's tax proposals, including amending the corporate tax rate, imposing a tax on book income, eliminating tax preferences for certain industries, and doubling the tax rate for global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI); the roles that the Senate, the US economy, and the global economy play in potential tax reform; President Trump's tax proposals; the evolution of the 'party platform,' political parties, and political factions; similarities and differences between the American political system and parliamentary systems; and the impact and utility of social media in the political sphere. [NOTE: This episode was recorded prior to the release of the "The Biden-Harris Plan to Fight for Workers" fact sheet released on September 9 by the Biden-Harris campaign.]
9/18/2020 • 36 minutes, 1 second
GILTI as charged (3rd booking): the 2020 high-tax exception regs
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Elizabeth Nelson (ITS Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services) discuss the recently-issued final and proposed high-tax exception regulations under the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) and subpart F income regimes. Doug and Elizabeth unpack: the background and history of the high-tax exception; the similarities and differences between the previously proposed high-tax exception regulations and the final high-tax exception regulations; how the regulations interact with net operating losses (NOLs) and the base erosion and anti-abuse tax (BEAT); what happened to QBUs, what is a 'tested unit,' and how the aggregation rules apply to tested units; the substance and implications of the 'consistency rule,' how the proposed regulations treat expense apportionment and negative interest rates; the new documentation requirements and anti-abuse rules contained in the regulations; and the continued importance of modeling due to the high-tax exception's interaction with many other TCJA provisions. Doug and Elizabeth also 'put a fork' in the notion that GILTI is a minimum tax and identify three categories of multinational taxpayers that may want to elect the high-tax exception.
9/11/2020 • 34 minutes, 47 seconds
Items of interest: The 163(j) Regulations
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Rebecca Lee (ITS Partner in Washington National Tax Services) discuss the recently-issued Section 163(j) final and proposed regulations. Doug and Rebecca discuss: what Section 163(j) is and how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed the interest expense limitation rules for corporations; effective dates for both the final and proposed regulations; how the final regulations define 'interest;' the breadth of the anti-avoidance rule in the final regulations; how the final regulations define 'adjusted taxable income' and 'tentative taxable income;' how the final regulations treat the separate return limitation year (SRLY) limitation; and major takeaways of the proposed regulations, including how the proposed regulations treat controlled foreign corporations (CFCs), foreign persons with effectively-connected income (ECI), and partnerships.
8/27/2020 • 34 minutes, 39 seconds
Second bite of the Apple: the EU State Aid decision
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Calum Dewar (a Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services (WNTS) ITS practice and leader of PwC's US Integrated Global Structuring practice) discuss the recently-issued Apple State Aid opinion from the General Court of the European Union. Doug and Calum discuss: what State Aid is; what the General Court's opinion says and how to interpret it; the procedure behind the European Commission's initial 2016 decision, including why Apple was not actually the defendant in the initial case, but why both the Irish government and Apple appealed the EC's decision to the General Court; the impact of US cost-sharing rules and transfer pricing methodologies on the General Court's decision; the role of 'selectivity' in State Aid; how the EC may act in this case, and in other State Aid cases, going forward; and what impact digital services taxes and the OECD's base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project may have on State Aid in the future.
8/18/2020 • 38 minutes, 47 seconds
FDII shades clearer: the final Section 250 regulations
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Ninee Dewar (a Partner in PwC's Washington National Tax Services (WNTS) ITS practice) discuss the recently-released Foreign Derived Intangible Income (FDII) final regulations under Section 250. Doug and Ninee discuss: the background of the Section 250 deduction and how the deduction interplays with both FDII and Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI); how the final regulations compare to the March 2019 proposed regulations under Section 250, including various changes to the documentation rules and loss transactions; Ninee's advice for taxpayers to meet the substantiation requirement; the background of the 'ordering rule' and how the rule helps coordinate Sections 250, 163(j), and 172(a); the importance of remembering that the Section 250 deduction is a taxable-income deduction (particularly in light of recent changes to the Net Operating Loss rules); how the final regulations treat electronically-supplied services and advertising services; how the final regulations treat related-party sales; and various important effective dates and applicability dates for the final and proposed regulations.
7/31/2020 • 35 minutes, 35 seconds
The evolution of 'cut and paste': 40 years of tax policy
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Pam Olson (PwC's US Deputy Tax Leader and Washington National Tax Services (WNTS) Practice Leader) discuss Pam's storied career as she retires from PwC. Doug and Pam talk: life as a tax practitioner in the 1980s; the value in working for the government; Pam's top achievements during her tenure at Treasury; major trends in US and global tax policy; the growth of trade, investment, supply chains, and globalization; the progressivity of the US tax system; the increase in partisanship over the past 40 years and the melding of 'campaigning' and 'governing' over that time; how we can focus on what we have in common rather than focusing on our differences; the recycling of tax proposals; and Pam's advice for both US and global policymakers.
7/17/2020 • 41 minutes, 29 seconds
A conversation about race in the tax profession
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Stephen Mosha (an ITS Partner and leader of PwC's Northeast Tax practice) have a candid conversation about Stephen's life as a Black tax professional. Doug and Stephen discuss: Stephen's experience as a Black partner at PwC; Stephen's thoughts on the homogeneity of the tax profession, how Stephen became interested in international tax; how tax professionals can help address racial inequities; and Stephen's advice for Black international tax professionals.
6/25/2020 • 39 minutes, 23 seconds
DAC6 Update: the latest EU disclosure rules
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services (ITS) Leader) and Maarten Maaskant (an ITS Partner and ITS Desk Leader) discuss the EU's mandatory reporting rules (EU Council Directive 2018/822, also known as 'DAC6.') Doug and Maarten cover: the background of DAC6 and how it compares to the BEPS Action Item 12 concerning country-by-country reporting; when taxpayers will need to comply with the DAC6 reporting rules; how individual countries will need to implement DAC6; the differences between a 'taxpayer' and an 'intermediary' in the context of DAC6; the responsibilities of taxpayers and intermediaries; which transactions are considered 'reportable transactions'; potential penalties for not complying with the DAC6 reporting requirements; the potential downsides for reporting transactions that may not be considered 'reportable transactions' under DAC6; and final words of wisdom for both taxpayers and intermediaries.
6/12/2020 • 42 minutes, 17 seconds
Whirlpool Decision: the Tax Court analyzes 'branch rules'
5/26/2020 • 44 minutes, 27 seconds
US Tax Reform Update: The final anti-hybrid regulations
5/1/2020 • 34 minutes, 11 seconds
The CARES Act: a primer for cross-border tax professionals
4/10/2020 • 37 minutes, 54 seconds
Global Tax Update: Around the world in 35 minutes
3/13/2020 • 37 minutes, 20 seconds
Merging lanes: key MA and international tax considerations after TCJA
2/21/2020 • 36 minutes, 23 seconds
Sourcing sorcery: New inbound taxation regs
2/14/2020 • 35 minutes, 18 seconds
Brexit stage left: See EU later
1/31/2020 • 33 minutes, 57 seconds
The New FTC Regs: Calculating tax in a galaxy far, far away
1/20/2020 • 42 minutes, 4 seconds
Tech Talk: How Leaders in Tax Embrace Technology
1/3/2020 • 29 minutes, 59 seconds
We got the BEAT: US Tax Reform Regulations
12/20/2019 • 37 minutes, 6 seconds
BEPS 2.0: It's easy as (Amounts) A, B, C
12/6/2019 • 43 minutes, 44 seconds
Reforma en México: A tax reform discussion
11/25/2019 • 36 minutes, 55 seconds
Properly attributing: a conversation on tax attribution after the TCJA
11/8/2019 • 32 minutes, 48 seconds
The Trade War: A Discussion on Trade and Tariffs
10/25/2019 • 37 minutes, 39 seconds
Clarity in the cloud: analyzing the new digital content and cloud computing regulations
10/11/2019 • 35 minutes, 58 seconds
No havering here: BEPS 2.0 goes beyond digital
9/27/2019 • 41 minutes, 18 seconds
Mic flip: Doug McHoney talks candidly about tax reform
9/16/2019 • 29 minutes, 44 seconds
Technically, you're not wrong, but we need a few TCJA corrections
8/30/2019 • 35 minutes, 18 seconds
Taxing Cryptocurrency: When a currency is not a currency
8/20/2019 • 37 minutes, 28 seconds
Invalidity: When and why are tax regulations invalid?
8/5/2019 • 38 minutes, 14 seconds
The DRD 245A regs: Did the donut hole eat the donut?
7/23/2019 • 36 minutes, 36 seconds
Branch FX: Were those Section 987 regulations final?
7/9/2019 • 35 minutes, 25 seconds
GILTI as charged - Part 2: The Final Regs and High Tax Exception
6/25/2019 • 37 minutes, 23 seconds
Tax Reform with a slice of Swiss
6/10/2019 • 34 minutes, 34 seconds
Mushy Peas: Comparing the UK and US's Corporate Tax Reforms
5/24/2019 • 36 minutes, 26 seconds
A Fortune 50 Tax VP's perspective on tax reform
5/13/2019 • 33 minutes, 55 seconds
A practitioner’s brief history of international tax in the US
4/29/2019 • 35 minutes, 51 seconds
US Tax Reform: An Insider’s Perspective for CFOs
4/15/2019 • 34 minutes, 41 seconds
FDII shades of gray
Doug McHoney (PwC's US International Tax Services Leader) interviews Alex Voloshko (PwC’s US Value Chain Transformation Leader) and Marco Fiaccadori (PwC Transfer Pricing Principal) about the recently released Foreign Derived Intangible Income (FDII) regulations under Section 250. Among other topics, they discuss how FDII interplays with GILTI, and how the FDII proposed regulations would apply to property transactions, component manufacturing, intangibles, and services.
4/1/2019 • 37 minutes, 59 seconds
Engineering the post-tax reform world: a policy perspective
3/18/2019 • 38 minutes, 10 seconds
Around the geopolitical (and tax) world in 30 minutes
3/11/2019 • 30 minutes, 48 seconds
Behind the Curtain: The Joint Committee on Taxation
3/4/2019 • 41 minutes, 25 seconds
Final Section 965 regulations: Amended tax returns ahead?
2/18/2019 • 38 minutes, 2 seconds
Temas candentes: Hot issues in Mexican tax
2/4/2019 • 34 minutes
Anti-hybrid rules: the forgotten reform provisions
1/18/2019 • 35 minutes, 2 seconds
Section 163(j) - A brave new world for partnerships
12/18/2018 • 36 minutes, 5 seconds
Your foreign tax credits after tax reform - a basket case?
12/18/2018 • 32 minutes, 20 seconds
Trading places: the intersection of tax and trade
11/26/2018 • 33 minutes, 24 seconds
The global tax environment from an OECD perspective
11/26/2018 • 35 minutes, 22 seconds
Widgets on hold: Shedding light on sovereign wealth and pension funds
11/9/2018 • 33 minutes, 12 seconds
Triangles add complexity to our square world
10/29/2018 • 31 minutes, 57 seconds
US Tax Reform: GILTI as charged!
10/10/2018 • 33 minutes, 26 seconds
European Union State aid: a $13 Billion (and counting) issue!
9/25/2018 • 34 minutes, 58 seconds
Update on global tax reform: ATAD, MLI, DAC6
9/10/2018 • 36 minutes, 12 seconds
US Tax Reform: Understanding Treasury's Role
8/29/2018 • 34 minutes, 43 seconds
Key findings: Sec 965 Proposed Regs
8/21/2018 • 37 minutes, 44 seconds
Cross-border tax talks: Tax regulations: behind the scenes
8/1/2018 • 30 minutes, 40 seconds
Cross-border tax talks: Treasury considerations after tax reform
7/20/2018 • 34 minutes
Cross-border tax talks: International tax provisions