Strategizing Multinational Tax Risks

The Dec. 2016 completion date for BEPS Action 15, Multilateral Instrument (refer to 11 Feb. post) and the completion of the remaining 15 Actions by the end of 2015 is a clear mismatch between issuance of guidelines and an efficient process for implementation.

The multilateral instrument is not projected to be available until the end of 2016, with subsequent enactment by countries in 2017, 2018 or later years.  As a result, countries will need infinite patience to wait for final guidelines, and the corresponding multilateral instrument, without enacting unilateral legislation that may be non-conforming and subject to different interpretations.  Therefore, the result will be increased complexity with more diversity in transfer pricing practices, different interpretations of the arm’s length principle and additional risks of double taxation.

As the pace of BEPS enactment and increased interest by all parties accelerates, it is hopeful that countries will be coordinated in this game of patience to address a new era of transfer pricing interpretation and documentation.  MNE’s should therefore prepare for maximum flexibility to anticipate this divergence.