For company tax accounting groups, BEPS adoption will carry some adjustments. The following few years might be a pivotal time for finance departments at multinational corporations. For tax professionals particularly, this is a chance to shine – to reveal the strategic worth of tax accounting to others within the group, together with government administration.
To try this successfully, tax accounting groups want a foundational understanding of the implications of those coming adjustments. In the end, they may also want the precise instruments to assist them step right into a extra strategic function contributing to the monetary well being of the group.
This text critiques the fundamentals of BEPS adoption and supplies some tax accounting ideas to assist tax accounting groups handle these coming adjustments. We may also contact upon the impression that BEPS may doubtlessly have on the strategic worth of the tax operate in most organizations and the way conscious tax leaders can proactively reveal to government administration the actual worth that they supply.
BEPS: A Transient Overview
BEPS stands for “Base Erosion and Revenue Shifting.” It’s an initiative of the Group for Financial Cooperation and Improvement’s (OECD), and its goal is to make sure a extra equitable tax routine for multinational entities (MNEs).
Initially, BEPS was meant to resolve questions round digital belongings comparable to software program and providers, which defy conventional notions of products and providers being produced and delivered in particular jurisdictions. Later, it was expanded to account for the broader issues revolving round company taxation and efforts corporations have made to shift earnings to keep away from tax legal responsibility.
Previous to 2015, numerous MNEs pursued tax planning methods that successfully transferred earnings from higher-tax jurisdictions to lower-tax international locations, thereby eroding the tax-bases of the higher-tax jurisdictions.
Some giant, well-known multinationals have made the headlines in consequence. Google, Amazon, and others have been broadly criticized for not “paying their fair proportion” of taxes. This has led to a spate of proposals for so-called “anti-avoidance” laws, additionally generally referred to as the “Google Tax.”
BEPS goals to deal with this on a broader scale by proposing a 15% minimal tax globally. BEPS consists of two broadly outlined provisions generally known as “pillars.” Pillar One pertains to the allocation of enterprise earnings to varied international locations based mostly on precise enterprise actions in every nation, however Pillar One will initially solely apply to very giant corporations.
BEPS Pillar Two will have an effect on a a lot bigger vary of organizations, requiring that corporations first calculate taxes for every nation through which they function, then pay a minimal of 15% in every jurisdiction through which they function.
BEPS already requires that corporations itemize their revenues by nation, and as taxation our bodies develop extra subtle fashions that examine BEPS information with company tax return information, there could also be a rise in investigations, once more reinforcing the rising want for information scientists.
Predicting the (Considerably) Unpredictable
BEPS represents a change in world taxation, but it surely isn’t the one change. Different parts of change embody IFRS 16/17 and parallel modifications to lease accounting beneath US GAAP, political uncertainty, a push towards increased tax charges and elevated enforcement, and rising inflation.
To arrange for change, rein within the chaos, and add worth to your group, listed below are 5 tax accounting ideas to bear in mind as you put together for BEPS adoption:
1. Automate Wherever You Can
Tax groups that intend to play a strategic function should deal with high-value actions. That’s arduous to do while you’re burdened by guide processes constructed on giant collections of spreadsheets.
When you’re at the moment utilizing Microsoft Excel to handle your switch pricing insurance policies and calculations, you’re spending far an excessive amount of time on tedious, error-prone processes. It’s widespread for people to create customized formulation that may’t simply be transferred or standardized. How, then, are you able to guarantee consistency in your total narrative to administration? When each member of the crew is utilizing the identical instruments in a collaborative method, the crew can shift its consideration to high-value actions. When automation is in place, you possibly can remove errors, enhance standardization, run the numbers extra continuously, and discover a broader vary of situations.
2. Establish Key Drivers
As large adjustments proceed to unfold, it’s necessary to determine the fabric drivers that might impression your corporation. Work along with your accounting crew to know the highest elements, and align that listing of drivers round your company technique. For nearly each multinational entity, BEPS adoption might be excessive in your listing. Not solely does it signify a shift in the way in which firms pay tax globally, it’s additionally more likely to change additional as BEPS is rolled out. Count on additional fine-tuning within the coming years.
3. Get a Deal with on Switch Pricing
It’s critically necessary to get a deal with on switch pricing inside your group. This space requires shut consideration to make sure compliance and consistency throughout your total group.
To keep away from the complications of audits or hefty fines, break the cycle of guide reporting. Error-prone processes inevitably result in a danger of late materials changes, which appears to be like unhealthy to inner stakeholders and is a crimson flag to auditors.
Prioritize coverage over numbers. Guarantee that your switch pricing insurance policies are stable and that they’re supported by the precise documentation. Verify to see that the distribution of earnings throughout your organization appears to be like proper when seen via an auditor’s eye.
4. Discover Attainable Outcomes
Organizations ought to think about using tax software program that consolidates monetary statements and might be up to date simply as new tax rules emerge. One of the best company tax software program may also provide the flexibility to run a number of situations, which might then be included into each short-term and long-term forecasts.
When you’re nonetheless utilizing guide spreadsheet-based strategies to construct situation fashions, you’ll be inherently restricted. There are solely so many iterations that may be explored with out including substantial sources to your crew. One of the best company tax accounting software program makes it straightforward to mannequin situations and outcomes based mostly on a number of variables.
5. Foster Agility and Be Ready for Change
Current occasions have clarified that agility is a key issue for fulfillment in as we speak’s world financial system. Contemplate adopting devoted tax accounting software program and switch pricing software program that integrates along with your monetary software program, together with ERP programs. For the perfect, most versatile method, search for software program that integrates with a number of ERP programs, even in the event you’re utilizing totally different software program in every subsidiary.
These programs precisely acquire and arrange switch pricing information, mannequin varied tax situations, determine gaps in focused profitability, and allow you to make corrections earlier than closing the books. That method, you should utilize the time you save to take a step again so you possibly can see the broader image.
Longview Tax from insightsoftware may also help you handle BEPS adoption easily and strategically. BEPS constitutes a change, to make certain. For company tax groups, the problem additionally presents a chance to step right into a extra strategic function inside your group. To study extra about Longview Tax, contact insightsoftware as we speak for a free, no-obligation demo.
