Press release

24 Apr 2018 London, GB

Tax reform, digital taxation and BEPS continue to drive challenges – and opportunities – for companies in 2018

Global and US tax reform, and the adoption of numerous international tax policy changes in 2018, are providing a catalyst for countries to pursue tax competitiveness in new and innovative ways.

Related topics Tax US tax reform Digital
  • Six countries look to drive competition by reducing corporate tax rates
  • 37% forecast higher tax burdens as a result of digitally focused law changes
  • Long-term trend for a low-rate, broad-base tax system set to reach tipping point

Global and US tax reform, and the adoption of numerous international tax policy changes in 2018, are providing a catalyst for countries to pursue tax competitiveness in new and innovative ways. This is according to the EY The outlook for global tax policy in 2018 (pdf), which combines insights and forecasts from EY tax policy professionals in 41 jurisdictions worldwide.

Countries continue to look to stimulate economic activity and attract foreign direct investment by maintaining or lowering their corporate tax rates. The fall in the US rate of more than a third to a federal/state combined average of around 26% represents the biggest percentage reduction among all countries analyzed in the report, and sees the US rate fall below current OECD and G7 averages. Significant rate reductions in FY18 were also made by Argentina (reduced from 35% to 30%), Colombia (40% to 37%), and Luxembourg (27% to 26%).

Chris Sanger, EY Global Tax Policy Leader, says:

“The long-term trend of having a low-rate, broad-base tax system that has been playing out for many years continues in 2018. Six of the 41 jurisdictions (15%) surveyed in our latest outlook have lower headline corporate income tax rates in 2018 – that’s roughly the same as the 16% in our 2017 Outlook and the 18% in our 2016 Outlook, when like-for-like countries are compared.”

The report indicates that we may be set to reach a tipping point in relation to this trend, with eleven jurisdictions (27%) forecasting a lower overall corporate income tax (CIT) burden in 2018 (vs. 20% in 2017), while seven (17%) forecast a higher overall CIT burden in 2018 (vs. 22% in 2017).

This year’s outlook also finds that research and development (R&D) and other business incentives are benefitting from governments’ drive to remain competitive, with 14 of 41 countries (34%) forecasting greater support for businesses in 2018. Six jurisdictions (China, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy and Singapore) are enhancing both R&D and other business incentives in 2018.

Global tax reform may be driven further by comprehensive reform in the US

The findings indicate that US tax reform – combined with other converging developments including implementation of the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) recommendations, new EU anti-avoidance directives, and tax transparency and disclosure measures – will have a significant impact on multinational taxpayers in 2018, irrespective of whether they have US or non-US operations.

Sanger says: “The US tax reform package contains a whole spectrum of burden-decreasing measures. In response, it is probable that investor and corporate taxpayer behaviors will change in a number of ways, which in time could drive other governments – in particular the US’s closest neighbors and largest trading partners – to form corresponding tax policy measures.”

The report also highlights the breadth of change in relation to digital taxation, encompasses direct tax changes (Greece, Italy, and United Kingdom), indirect tax changes (Argentina, Singapore and Turkey), redefinitions of permanent establishment (in Italy and India) and anti-avoidance measures targeting companies that may be data-intensive (New Zealand). Indeed, 15 of the 41 jurisdictions (37%) are already forecasting higher tax burdens as a result of digitally focused changes in 2018.

Sanger says: “We anticipate that the ongoing debate around digital taxation, together with a continuing desire for European tax harmonization and the desire for tax certainty, will increasingly drive organizations to view the world though a multilateral lens.”

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

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About the report

The eighth annual The outlook for global tax policy in 2018 combines the forecasts of EY tax policy leaders in 41 jurisdictions, as well as government proposals and known legislative changes. The full list of countries surveyed can be viewed here (pdf).

The Outlook provides an overview of the key policy developments across 41 jurisdictions: Argentina, Australia Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China (Mainland), Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.

About EY Tax Policy and Controversy services

The EY global tax policy network has extensive experience of helping develop and implement policy initiatives, both as external advisors to governments and companies and as advisors inside government.

Our dedicated tax policy professionals and business modelers help companies address their specific business environment and improve the chance of a successful outcome.

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Contact

Tax

Leila Østerbø, EY Media Relations and Social Media Senior Associate - Tax

+44 7887 82 7918