Sign up for tax alert emails    GTNU homepage    Tax newsroom    Email document    Print document    Download document

May 23, 2019
2019-5670

Report on recent US international tax developments – 23 May 2019

The United States (US) Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on 22 May issued final regulations under Internal Revenue Code1 Section 956 that generally would reduce an inclusion determined under Section 956 to corporate US shareholders of certain controlled foreign corporations (CFCs). The proposed regulations were issued on 31 October 2018.

The final regulations, consistent with the proposed regulations, reduce a corporate US shareholder’s Section 956 amount to maintain symmetry between the taxation of actual repatriations and the taxation of effective repatriations of earnings of a CFC eligible for the Section 245A dividends received deduction (DRD). This is achieved by providing that the amount otherwise determined under Section 956 with respect to a corporate US shareholder for a taxable year of a CFC is reduced to the extent the US shareholder would be allowed a Section 245A DRD if the US shareholder had received a hypothetical distribution from the CFC in an amount equal to the tentative Section 956 amount. Importantly, the final regulations modify the hypothetical distribution rule in a favorable manner to reduce the Section 956 amount in certain instances that would not have been the case under the proposed regulations. The final regulations apply to taxable years of a CFC beginning on or after 60 days after the final regulations are published in the Federal Register. However, consistent with the proposed regulations, taxpayers may apply the final regulations for taxable years of a CFC beginning after 31 December 2017, provided that the taxpayer and its related US persons consistently apply the final regulations to all of their CFCs.

A senior Treasury official this week confirmed that final Global Intangible Low-taxed Income (GILTI) regulations would be released by 22 June to ensure they are retroactive to the date of the provision’s enactment by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. He also said final Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse (BEAT) regulations should be released by mid-to-late summer.

The Council of the European Union (the Council) on 17 May held a meeting where they discussed digital taxation and also updated the European Union (EU) list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. In relation to digital taxation, the Council discussed current international tax reforms with a view to preparing for the upcoming Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and G20 leaders’ meetings. The Council also clarified that if, by the end of 2020, it appears that OECD-level agreement is expected to take additional time, the Council could revert to discussing a possible EU approach to digital taxation. EU consensus on a community-wide approach to digital taxation has proved elusive.

Endnotes

1. All “Section” references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

For additional information with respect to this Alert, please contact the following:

Ernst & Young LLP, International Tax Services, Washington, DC
  • Arlene Fitzpatrick | arlene.fitzpatrick@ey.com
  • Joshua Ruland | joshua.ruland@ey.com 

ATTACHMENT

 
 

The information contained herein is general in nature and is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal, accounting or tax advice or opinion provided by Ernst & Young LLP to the reader. The reader also is cautioned that this material may not be applicable to, or suitable for, the reader's specific circumstances or needs, and may require consideration of non-tax and other tax factors if any action is to be contemplated. The reader should contact his or her Ernst & Young LLP or other tax professional prior to taking any action based upon this information. Ernst & Young LLP assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other factors that could affect the information contained herein.

 

Copyright © 2024, Ernst & Young LLP.

 

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, retransmitted or otherwise redistributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including by photocopying, facsimile transmission, recording, rekeying, or using any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Ernst & Young LLP.

 

Any U.S. tax advice contained herein was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by the recipient for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions.

 

"EY" refers to the global organisation, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

 

Privacy  |  Cookies  |  BCR  |  Legal  |  Global Code of Conduct Opt out of all email from EY Global Limited.

 


Cookie Settings

This site uses cookies to provide you with a personalized browsing experience and allows us to understand more about you. More information on the cookies we use can be found here. By clicking 'Yes, I accept' you agree and consent to our use of cookies. More information on what these cookies are and how we use them, including how you can manage them, is outlined in our Privacy Notice. Please note that your decision to decline the use of cookies is limited to this site only, and not in relation to other EY sites or ey.com. Please refer to the privacy notice/policy on these sites for more information.


Yes, I accept         Find out more