Effect of Transfer Pricing on Profit Shifting by Multinational Companies in Developing Countries: A Case of Rwanda

Author(s):  
Daniel Twesige ◽  
Faustin Gasheja ◽  
Jonas Barayendema ◽  
Alexis Uwamahoro
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aitor Navarro

It is the aim of this contribution to sustain that, despite the inherent complexity that the enforcement of the arm’s length rationale entails, it is feasible—and desirable—to introduce simplification measures without abandoning this worldwide accepted standard, especially in the context of developing countries and despite reticence shown by international organizations such as the OECD. Complexity in transfer pricing erodes fairness and equity and promotes profit shifting, which paradoxically constitutes the opposite outcome that this set of rules wants to achieve. This is the reason why it is urgent to propose and encourage the adoption of a means to neutralize unnecessary complexity in this field. The adoption of rebuttable predetermined margins and/or methods is proposed as the best solution in a context in which policymakers want to keep the arm’s length rationale intact. Also, even despite its shortcomings, irrebuttable predetermined safe harbors should be considered potentially feasible and a valid policy option.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-57
Author(s):  
Mihaela Paraschiva Luca ◽  
Cătălin Florin Zeti ◽  
Ioan Cosmin Pițu ◽  
Bianca Cristina Ciocănea

AbstractAt present, due to the current project of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with regard to tax base erosion and profit shifting (OECD BEPS), as well as with regard to the impact of global fiscal reforms in development, in transfer pricing, fiscal authorities are the ones in control in relationship with companies. Within this context, the present study presents and analyses the influences of the transfer pricing current environment at European level in the case of Romanian companies. Realizing a detailed and deep documentation of the existing scientific literature in this field and using a comparative data analysis lead to the conclusion that the diminishing in impact of these influences may be accomplished by the finding of new solutions by multinational companies through which they should manage accordingly the associated risk of transfer pricing and prevent the eventual misunderstandings with regard to fiscal authorities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anissa Ouelhadj ◽  
Mehdi Bouchetara

Globalization and digitalization lead to flaws and asymmetries in tax rules which were used by multinational companies in their own benefit. Then, to face tax avoidance and tax losses which represents 100 to 240 billion dollars per year, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and G-20 implement, since 2012, the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project, base erosion and profit shifting, which is the most important international reform that tax system has known. This paper aims to understand whether the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project’s transfer pricing actions mitigate tax avoidance by multinationals through a literature review and a qualitative approach. We interview 05 international tax specialists working in Multinational Companies and Tax Administration. We found that the project’s transfer pricing reforms mitigate tax avoidance in short term. We confirm the first hypothesis, that the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project’s transfer pricing inputs mitigate tax avoidance in the short term, and following the results obtained, we refute the second hypothesis that Base Erosion and Profit Shifting actions dealing with transfer pricing do not mitigate tax avoidance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Favourate Yelesedzani Sebele-Mpofu ◽  
Eukeria Mashiri ◽  
Patrick Korera

Abstract Base erosion and profit shifting activities of multinational enterprises (MNEs) have been a hot issue globally. Topical among the strategies employed by MNEs has been the issue of transfer pricing (TP). Developing countries are argued to be significantly affected by TP manipulation resulting in substantial tax revenues being lost. As a response to curb the unfavourable impacts of transfer mispricing, most developing countries have adopted the OECD TP guidelines and enacted TP legislation to regulate TP activities. The arm’s length principle is the core of TP legislation, yet it has brought challenges for tax administrators and their auditors in enforcing and assessing compliance respectively leading to disputes. In view of the ever-changing business world and continuous efforts by MNEs to minimise their tax obligations through income shifting, it was imperative to assess the factors affecting the effectiveness of TP audits and dispute resolutions as measures to enhance compliance and enforcement in developing countries, with specific reference to Zimbabwe. Findings include the lack of clarity in TP legislation, resource constraints and complexity of transactions, lack of expertise as well as the shortage of comparable data. Developing countries are encouraged to formulate clear TP regulations and invest in the capacitation of revenue authorities.


Author(s):  
Gideon Goerdt ◽  
Wolfgang Eggert

AbstractThin capitalization rules limit firms’ ability to deduct internal interest payments from taxable income, thereby restricting debt shifting activities of multinational firms. Since multinational firms can limit their tax liability in several ways, regulation of debt shifting may have an impact on other profit shifting methods. We therefore provide a model in which a multinational firm can shift profits out of a host country by issuing internal debt from an entity located in a tax haven and by manipulating transfer prices on internal goods and services. The focus of this paper is the analysis of regulatory incentives, $$(i)$$ ( i ) if a multinational firm treats debt shifting and transfer pricing as substitutes or $$(ii)$$ ( i i ) if the methods are not directly connected. The results provide a new aspect for why hybrid thin capitalization rules are used. Our discussion in this paper explains why hybrid rules can result in improvements in welfare if multinational firms treat methods of profit shifting as substitutes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-52
Author(s):  
Raymondo Sitanggang ◽  
Amrie Firmansyah

This study aims to review transactions conducted by multinational companies operating in Indonesia related to transfer pricing activities. This study uses qualitative methods using two approaches, content analysis, and interviews. The content analysis aims to obtain related party disclosure information in the financial statements as stipulated in PSAK No. 7 (2015). The data used in the financial statements of manufacturing companies in the consumer goods industry sector are included in multinational companies and listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2014-2017. Meanwhile, interviews were conducted to confirm the data obtained through content analysis. The informant in the interview is one of the Polytechnic of State Finance STAN lecturer, who has academic expertise in international tax accounting and transfer pricing. This study concludes that, in general, multinational companies operating in Indonesia have disclosed related party information in their financial statements. Furthermore, the assessment of the fairness of transactions with related parties related to transfer pricing is based on the arm's length principle. The results of this study indicate the need for broader disclosure of financial accounting standards in Indonesia and the harmonization of taxation regulations in Indonesia with tax regulations in other countries related to transfer pricing practices.     Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk untuk mengulas transaksi-transaksi yang dilakukan oleh perusahaan multinasional yang beroperasi di Indonesia terkait dengan aktivitas transfer pricing. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan menggunakan dua pendekatan, yaitu content analysis dan wawancara. Content analysis bertujuan untuk mendapatkan informasi pengungkapan pihak-pihak yang berelasi dalam laporan keuangan sebagaimana diatur dalam PSAK No. 7 (2015). Data yang digunakan adalah laporan keuangan perusahaan manufaktur sektor industri barang konsumsi yang termasuk dalam kategori perusahaan multinasional dan terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia dari tahun 2014-2017. Sementara itu, wawancara dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mengkonfirmasi data-data yang diperoleh melalui content analysis. Informan dalam wawancara adalah salah satu dosen Politeknik Keuangan Negara STAN yang memiliki keahlian akademis dalam akuntansi perpajakan internasional dan transfer pricing. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa secara umum perusahaan multinasional yang beroperasi di Indonesia telah mengungkapkan informasi pihak-pihak berelasi dalam laporan keuangannya. Selanjutnya, penilaian kewajaran transaksi dengan pihak berelasi terkait dengan transfer pricing berdasarkan arm’s length principle. Hasil penelitian ini mengindikasikan perlunya pengungkapan yang lebih luas dalam standar akuntansi keuangan di Indonesia dan harmonisasi peraturan perpajakan di Indonesia dengan peraturan perpajakan di negara lain-lain terkait dengan praktek transfer pricing.  


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