Strategizing Multinational Tax Risks

The World Bank Group Report compares business regulations, including taxation, in 189 Economies.  A link to the report is attached for reference:

Click to access DB15-Full-Report.pdf

The Report provides an Ease of Doing Business Ranking for each economy, in addition to related sections for starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, taxation, trading across borders, and various legal aspects including enforcing contracts and protecting minority investors.

Key summaries re: taxation:

• Governments generally reduced the rates and broadened the base for corporate income tax while increasing the rates for the consumption or value added tax (VAT)
• The total tax (profit, labor and other) rate averaged 43.1% of commercial profit in 2012 (Sub-Saharan Africa was 53.4% in 2012 versus over 70% in 2004, while the Middle East and North Africa region was approx. 35% in 2012 versus over 45% in 2004).

The report is useful in comparing trends and business related factors, in addition to taxation, that impact a MNE’s operations around the world.  The measurement of total tax is an interesting concept that many MNE’s are using in Corporate Sustainability Reports to reflect tax contributions around the world.