Overview of subjects and instructors
First week
Monday 12 July
Fundamentals of international taxation
First, we will explore why and how countries tax cross-border income and the double taxation that will typically result therefrom (juridical and economic double taxation). Next, the various methods to relieve juridical double taxation will be examined: both their operation and their advantages & disadvantages. Finally, a brief overview is presented of the types of relief countries may offer regarding of economic double taxation.
Instructors: Prof. Kees van Raad, Renata Fontana, Chiara Bardini
Tuesday 13 July
Introduction to tax treaties & treaty residence
The interaction between the distributive articles and the double taxation relief provisions will be examined and explained, along with the key concepts of residence and source. 'Residence' will be further examined in some detail.
Instructors: Prof. Kees van Raad, Renata Fontana, Tiago Cassiano Neves
Wednesday 14 July
Business profits taxation under tax treaties
The main topics of this comprehensive subject that will be visited include the contents and application of the distributive rules of OECD Model Article 7: the main rule and the exception if business is conducted through a `permanent establishment´ (PE) in the other state. Further, the concept of PE will be examined in some detail (physical PE, project PE, Agency PE; other non-OECD types of PE).
Instructors: Prof. Kees van Raad & Walter Andreoni
Thursday 15 July
Income from employment, pensions, etc. under tax treaties
The grown mobility of labor has greatly increased the importance of OECD Model Articles 15 through 20, each of which deals with a particular type of service income. The main rules are laid down in Article 15 which gives rise to a variety of important issues in international tax practice. In addition to an analysis of some of these issues, other points arising under the rules on the remuneration of directors, pensions, and the income of artistes and sportsmen will be discussed.
Instructors: Prof. Kees van Raad & Walter Andreoni
Friday 16 July
Dividends, interest & royalties and immovable property income & capital gains under tax treaties
The tax treaty rules on investment income vary with the nature of the investment. Immovable property income is typically subject to ordinary taxation in the source country whereas income from intangible rights (shares, debts, intellectual property rights) is usually subject to flat-rate gross-basis taxation in the source country with the residence country taxing it again with a tax credit provided for the source country tax. The taxation of investment income gives rise to numerous theoretical and practical issues the most important ones of which will be touched upon in this day's topic.
Instructor: Dr. Stefano Simontacchi
Second week
Monday 19 July
Five fundamental rules on tax treaty application & triangular cases
The interaction between domestic tax law (on which a country's actual taxation is based) and a tax treaty is quite particular, and in tax practice often gives rise to misunderstanding and mistakes. Today's topic deals with this issue in a detailed and analytical fashion. The insight gained from this discussion is subsequently employed in analyzing how two or more tax treaties apply in triangular situations.
Instructors: Prof. Kees van Raad
Tuesday 20 July
Double tax relief and non-discrimination issues under tax treaties
This subject covers the interaction between domestic law tax residence and tax treaty residence in detail. After an overview of the concept of residence under the domestic law of selected countries, we will explore the concept of residence under tax treaties, with particular emphasis on dual resident individuals and dual resident companies. This will involve examining the application and interpretation of the tie-breaker rules with particular reference to case-law and recent OECD developments. Also the complex issues arising in tax planning involving the use of dual resident companies will be analyzed. The discussion will be complemented with case studies.
Instructor: Alexander Rust
Wednesday 21 July
Beneficial ownership and tax treaty anti-avoidance provisions
The reduction of taxation of dividends, interest and royalties in the state of source is generally subject to the condition that the recipient of that income is the beneficial owner thereof. Although the term 'beneficial owner' was introduced in the OECD Model Convention in 1977, the interpretation of the term continues to give rise to difficulties. The background of the term and its interpretation in various countries will be the main topic of this lecture. In addition, other anti-avoidance provisions prevalent in tax treaties will be discussed in this lecture.
Instructor: Prof. Stef van Weeghel
Thursday 22 July
Transfer Pricing Issues
Transfer pricing is, today, one of the top priorities of tax practitioners and tax directors worldwide. The lecture aims at providing the audience with the fundamental elements to analyze transfer pricing issues. In addition specific issues will be dealt with and in particular the selection and application of transfer pricing methods. Particular emphasis will be placed on transactional profit methods. Further, transfer pricing issues related to intangible property and the analysis of intercompany financial transactions will be addressed. The lecture will comprise of practical examples and case studies.
Instructor: Antonio Russo
Friday 23 July
Advanced issues on business profits taxation under tax treaties and OECD proposed changes
Under tax treaties, business profits are exclusively taxable in State where the taxpayer carrying on the business is resident. However, where the business is carried on in the other Contracting State through a permanent establishment, such a State is entitled to tax the profits attributable to the permanent establishment and the State of residence is required to relieve the resulting (juridical) double taxation. This approach of dividing taxing rights between the two treaty States implies two steps: (i) ascertaining the existence of a permanent establishment and (ii) determining the profits attributable to it. The latter step presents significant theoretical and practical issues, due to the somewhat puzzling wording of the treaty provisions on business profits. The purpose of this present lecture is to analyze these issues and to discuss the actions recently taken by the OECD to tackle them.
Instructor: Rogier Sterk
Click here for the CVs of the instructors