Law Commons^™

Reforming The Regulation Of Political Advocacy By Charities: From Charity Under Siege To Charity Under Rescue?, Adam Parachin

Adam Parachin

A newly elected liberal federal government in Canada has pledged to reform the legal distinction between charity and politics. This paper provides context to this reform initiative, linking it to a controversial political activities audit program funded by the former conservative federal government. It identifies three distorting ideas about charity—that charity can be understood as a tax expenditure, economic or neutral concept—that should be eschewed in the reform process. It also identifies three characteristics of charity—the capacity of charities for thought leadership, the pervasiveness of messaging in charitable programming and the distinctiveness of charity and government—that should guide reformers.

Destination-Based Cash-Flow Taxation: A Critical Appraisal, Wei Cui

Wei Cui

This Article offers the first comprehensive appraisal in both the legal and economic literatures of proposals for adopting destination-based cash flow taxation (DCFT) of multinational corporations. The DCFT was a key recommendation for reforming corporate taxation in the U.K., and has subsequently attracted wide attention as a way to fundamentally reform international taxation in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere. The core intuition of the DCFT is to tax profits earned by mobile capital by reference to immobile factors. I distinguish three versions of the DCFT for implementing this intuition: 1. formulary apportionment of business profits by reference to locations of …

Sales Tax And Cloud Computing In India, Khagesh Gautam

Khagesh Gautam

This Article, the first of its kind, addresses the question of imposition of sales tax on Cloud computing transactions in India. Several industry estimates show that the Cloud computing market is growing in India and is poised to grow further. However, the question of how to tax these transactions remains to be addressed. This Article engages with this question, albeit only in the context of sales tax. The Indian Constitution lays down, in elaborate detail, the taxes that can exclusively be levied by the Union Parliament and those that can exclusively be levied by the State Legislatures. Sales tax on …

Discriminatory Internal Taxation In The European Union: The Power Of The European Court Of Justice To Limit The Tax Sovereignty Of Member-States Under Article 110 Of The Tfeu, Jarrod Tudor

Jarrod Tudor

Protectionism can come in a variety of methods including the use of internal taxation policies that discriminate against imports making those imports more expensive on the domestic market and thus favoring domestically-produced goods. Discriminatory taxation policies have been developed by member-states to mask protectionism by distinguishing products based on import status, product similarity, product life cycle, consumption, tax collection practices, transportation charges, and state aid. The Framers of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) wrote Article 110 with the objective in mind to prohibit internal taxation policies from discriminating against goods in made in other member-states. …

A Whole New World: Income Tax Considerations Of The Bitcoin Economy, Benjamin W. Akins Jd, Llm, Jennifer L. Chapman Jd, Cpa, Jason M. Gordon Jd, Mba

Benjamin W. Akins

Bitcoin is a virtual, cryptocurrency growing rapidly in influence throughout the world. Numerous characteristics associated with the bitcoin system, including low transaction costs and greater user privacy, make it appealing as a medium of electronic payment. The number of users of bitcoin, including merchants accepting the currency as a form of payment, has grown considerably in recent years. Estimates indicate that there are more than 60,000 active bitcoin users as of September 2012, with nearly 11 million bitcoins in existence. According to the latest estimates, bitcoin market capitalization is roughly $9 billion. The growth of bitcoin as an accepted currency …

Definitions, Religion, And Free Exercise Guarantees, Mark Strasser

Mark Strasser

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the free exercise of religion. Non-religious practices do not receive those same protections, which makes the ability to distinguish between religious and non-religious practices important. Regrettably, members of the Court have been unable to agree about how to distinguish the religious from the non-religious—sometimes, the implicit criteria focus on the sincerity of the beliefs, sometimes the strength of the beliefs or the role that they play in an individual’s life, and sometimes the kind of beliefs. In short, the Court has virtually guaranteed an incoherent jurisprudence by sending contradictory signals with …

Integration In An Integrating World, Yariv Brauner

Yariv Brauner

During the second half of the last century, many countries gradually replaced their so-called classical corporate tax regimes, under which corporate earnings were taxed twice -- once in the hands of the corporation, and again when distributed to corporate shareholders as dividends -- with an integrated regime (imputation), which taxed such earnings only once. The driving force behind this trend was the expectation of significant efficiency gains. This clear and gradual trend has been abruptly reversed with the turn of the century. The phenomenon we call globalization, and in particular the proliferation of cross-border business and investment, has materially contributed …

Value In The Eye Of The Beholder: The Valuation Of Intangibles For Transfer Pricing Purposes, Yariv Brauner

Yariv Brauner

This article assesses the desirability of our current, arms' length based, transfer pricing regime by analyzing its theoretical and practical effectiveness in application to transfers of intangibles. A detailed analysis of the practice of valuation of intangibles, which is the key component in the application of this regime, exposes its weaknesses that result in undesirable market incentives. These incentives create a strong bias in favor of large multinational enterprises, yet, even if one favored such bias, it is achieved using an uncontrollable, costly and wasteful legal mechanism. The article particularly criticizes the regime's disregard of the unique characteristics of intangibles …

An International Tax Regime In Crystallization, Yariv Brauner

Yariv Brauner

The grand illusion of a single, worldwide, tax system that will eliminate all international inefficiencies, and assist all the nations of the world to maximize their relative advantages, is, as commonly accepted, utopian. The tax, academic and professional, writing in the field of international taxation, and cross-border interaction, between tax systems and jurisdictions has grown, exponentially, in the last decade, but no significant work has been done to prove, or disprove, the naivety of this hypothesis. Some scholars and tax executives, in certain international organizations, have discussed ideas along this line, but no single organization has, seriously, attempted to promote …

Brain Drain Taxation As Development Policy, Yariv Brauner

Yariv Brauner

This article examines the potential use of taxation to generate development funds in connection with the immigration of skilled immigrants from developing into developed countries, known as the "brain drain," if designed according to the principles of the new development agenda. It explains that a tax on the brain drain that has been discussed for several decades, yet considered impossible to administer, may be administratively and legally implementable within the framework of the current international tax regime. It argues that designing such a tax according to the principles of the new development agenda, tying together the collection and use of …

International Trade And Tax Agreements May Be Coordinated, But Not Reconciled, Yariv Brauner

Yariv Brauner

A recent WTO case held the U.S.' export tax subsidies illegal. Despite strong political resistance, which fed a long and costly legislative process, the U.S. recently repealed these subsidies. This case and the U.S. reaction revealed that although the U.S. is the single super economic power, it is not as dominant a player as some portray it. The case also shed light on the tension between the present international trade and tax regimes and the difficulty of applying WTO law to income tax measures. This tension did not escalate earlier mainly because countries tended not to use their income tax …

Taxing Offshore Transactions In India And The Territoriality Clause - A Case For Substantial Constitutional Limitations On Indian Parliament's Power To Retrospectively Amend The Income Tax Act, Khagesh Gautam

Khagesh Gautam

No abstract provided.

Taxing Indirect Transfers: Improving An Instrument For Stemming Tax And Legal Base Erosion, Wei Cui

Wei Cui

Numerous countries (e.g. Canada, Australia and Japan) tax foreigners on the gains realized on transfers of interests in foreign entities that invest directly or indirectly in real estates in these countries. In the last few years, actions taken by tax authorities in India, China, Brazil, Indonesia and other non-OECD countries have highlighted the possibility of taxing a broader range of “indirect share transfers” by foreigners. This Article argues taxing indirect transfers can have vital policy significance in countries where foreign inbound investments are actively traded in offshore markets: it not only deters tax avoidance, but may also stanch “legal base …

Moving Money: International Financial Flows, Taxes, Money Laundering & Transparency, Richard Gordon, Andrew P. Morriss

Andrew P Morriss

Recent publicity over enormous estimates of “missing” wealth and the use of sophisticated tax strategies by companies like Apple, Google, and Starbucks have produced a demand that the wealthy pay a “fair” amount of tax regardless of their compliance with the letter of tax laws. In particular, the Tax Justice Network’s claim that $21-$32 trillion of “hidden” wealth remains untaxed has garnered considerable attention. In this paper we argue that these claims rest on poor data and analysis and mistakes about how financial transactions work. We further argue that the disputes are about fundamentally conflicting visions of how financial transactions …

Proposal For A National Sales Tax To Incentivize The Collection Of Remote Sales Tax, Timothy Li

Timothy Li

This Essay proposes that Congress adopt a national sales tax at one national rate for interstate sales, but with a credit for each transaction in which an out-of-state vendor remits state sales tax. For states without sales taxes, remote vendors can still choose the state rate of zero percent. For states with sales taxes, the national rate should be set to exceed every state’s sales tax rate. Vendors would no longer be able to avoid sales tax by moving overseas. The proposal further provides numerous incentives for Congress to act now rather than delay, including a new source of national …

The Unruly World Of Tax: A Proposal For An International Tax Cooperation Forum, Noam S. Noked, Mohamed S. Helal

Mohamed S. Helal

International cooperation in tax policy is deeply fractured. Inconsistencies, loopholes and ineffective mechanisms—that could be avoided if efficient collaboration between countries existed—have created significant inefficiency losses for decades. This paper focuses on the institutional infrastructure underlying international cooperation in tax issues and argues that the current forums in which international cooperation in tax issues occurs do not provide an adequate platform in which countries with similar interests can effectively promote collaborative effort. To facilitate cooperation, this paper puts forward a proposal to create a new institution that is currently missing from the international tax policy-setting arena: an informal forum for …

Pfics Gone Wild!, Monica Gianni

Monica Gianni

No abstract provided.

The Political Feasibility Of A Global E-Commerce Tax, Rifat Azam Dr.

Rifat Azam Dr.

In its strongest statement yet on progressive tax reform, the UN has recently called on countries to introduce a global carbon tax and financial transaction tax (FTT). In my recent article entitled Global Taxation of Cross Border E-commerce Income (31 Virginia Tax Review 639 (Spring 2012)), I proposed to impose a global e-commerce tax on cross border e-commerce income by a new supranational institution, The Global Tax Fund, to be established by countries through international treaty. According to my proposal, the global e-commerce tax revenues shall be spent to fund global public goods. I argued normatively that the proposed regime …

Global Taxation Of Cross Border E-Commerce Income, Rifat Azam Dr.

Rifat Azam Dr.

Amazon sells tangibles, intangibles and services worldwide that totaled $34 Billion USD in 2010. At eBay.com more than 97 million active users globally meet to sell and buy online in total amount of $62 Billion USD in 2010. Global clicks at Google.com contributed substantially to its $10.5 Billion USD revenues in Q4 2011. In the year 2010 Americans spent around $173 billion USD shopping online. Global e-commerce turnover is expected to grow up to $963 Billion USD in 2013. These figures illustrate the importance of e-commerce in the global economy today and tomorrow. The taxation of e-commerce as well is …

An Offer In Compromise You Can’T Confuse: It Is Not The Opening Bid Of A Delinquent Taxpayer To Play Let’S Make A Tax Deal With The Internal Revenue Service, Irwin J. Katz

Irwin J Katz

Most articles written about offers in compromises read like how to primers. This article, unlike those other articles, explains what an offer in compromise is and what it is not. Starting with the premise that the IRS’ primary goal is to collect the entire amount of any outstanding tax liability, an offer in compromise is not an opening bid of a delinquent taxpayer to engage in tax gamesmanship with the IRS. On the other hand, although in cases of financial hardship, an offer in compromise is a means for a taxpayer to settle her tax liability for a lesser amount, …

The William O. Douglas Tax Factor: Where Did The Spin Stop And Who Was He Looking Out For?, I Jay Katz

Irwin J Katz

ABSTRACT THE WILLIAM 0. DOUGLAS TAX FACTOR: WHERE DID THE SPIN STOP AND WHO WAS HE LOOKING OUT FOR?

Although much better known for his opinions regarding constitutional law and individual rights, Justice William 0. Douglas also left an indelible mark in tax law. Throughout his thirty-six year tenure on the Supreme Court, Douglas wrote a significant number of majority and dissenting opinions in some of the most famous tax law cases of his day. As the title of the article suggests, most of Douglas's opinions were full of spin from the bias of the party he favored and read …

Taxation And Non-Discrimination: A Reconsideration, Hugh J. Ault, Jacques Sasseville

Hugh J. Ault

No abstract provided.

Who Is Making International Tax Policy? International Organizations As Power Players In A High Stakes World, Diane M. Ring

Diane M. Ring

Who makes international tax policy in today’s world? Certainly no single body possesses that power - there is no global tax authority, and states are not capable of achieving all of their international tax policy goals on a unilateral basis. The development of international tax policy is an interactive and dynamic process that involves a wide range of players, most of whom can be characterized as international organizations. Their roles, goals, tools and influence vary by organization and by issue, but their net impact on tax policy is undeniable. If we are to better understand how tax policy is formed, …

Democracy, Sovereignty And Tax Competition: The Role Of Tax Sovereignty In Shaping Tax Cooperation, Diane M. Ring

Diane M. Ring

This paper considers the question of how sovereignty shapes arguments over the merits of tax competition and how sovereignty influences the design of responses to tax competition. Part I provides a basic overview of sovereignty concepts, in particular their relevance to a nation-state desirous of control over tax policy. Part II defines tax competition, identifies the different kinds of states involved, reviews the emergence of the OECD project to limit harmful tax competition, and traces the EU experience with tax competition. Part III explores the normative grounds for challenging tax competition and the role of sovereignty in shaping and limiting …

The Untold Story Of Crane V. Commissioner Reveals An Inconvenient Tax Truth: Useless Depreciation Deductions Cause Global Basis Erosion To Bait A Hazardous Tax Trap For Unwitting Taxpayers, I Jay Katz

Irwin J Katz

Facts not discussed in the Supreme Court's decision in Crane v. Commissioner (much better known for Footnote 37) reveal an inconvenient tax truth of a hazardous tax trap for unwitting taxpayers (the "Basis Reduction Tax Trap"). For seven years, Beulah Crane operated an apartment building at a loss. For that reason, the substantial amount of allowable depreciation deductions on the building produced minimal tax benefits for her. Notwithstanding the lack of tax benefits, the basis of the apartment building was reduced by the depreciation deductions pursuant to section 1016(a) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under threat of foreclosure, Beulah …

E-Commerce Taxation And Cyberspace Law: The Integrative Adaptation Model, Rifat Azam Dr.

Rifat Azam Dr.

This article argues that the current debate on international taxation of e-commerce is totally tax oriented and ignores cyberspace law and that this separation is unjustified and harmful to the development of e-commerce taxation law. Mutual intellectual feeding and integrative debate that is open and interesting to the general legal scholarly community is necessary to improve ecommerce law. To begin a debate on e-commerce taxation as part of cyberspace law, the author describes and incorporates for the first time the primary cyberspace literature into the e-commerce taxation debate. The author draws lessons from judicial jurisdiction in cyberspace, criminal law in …

Taxation Of Income From Mobil Capital: Some Recent International Developments, Hugh Ault

Hugh J. Ault

No abstract provided.

Tax Competition: What (If Anything) To Do About It?, Hugh Ault

Hugh J. Ault

No abstract provided.

Federal Income Taxation: Cases And Materials, Hugh Ault, Paul Mcdaniel, Martin Mcmahon, Daniel Simmons

Hugh J. Ault

Supplemented by 2000 Supplement: Federal Income Taxation: Cases and Materials, 4th ed., by McDaniel, Ault, McMahon and Simmons. New York: Foundation Press, 2000; 2003 Supplement: Federal Income Taxation: Cases and Materials, 4th ed., by McDaniel, Ault, McMahon and Simmons. New York: Foundation Press, 2003

The Oecd's Report On Harmful Tax Competition, Hugh Ault, Joann Weiner

Hugh J. Ault

In response to pressures created by the increasing globalization of the world economy, the OECD has issued a report titled “Harmful Tax Competition: An Emerging Global Issue” that provides an analysis of the phenomenon known as harmful tax competition. The Report identifies factors that characterize tax havens and harmful preferential tax regimes and recommends numerous measures in the areas of domestic legislation, tax treaties, and international cooperation, that countries may pursue to counter harmful tax competition. As part of intensifying international cooperation, the Report recommends that Member countries adopt a set of Guidelines endorsing the “3 R’s:” to refrain, to …