Click to launch Global tax accounting services newsletter Focusing on tax accounting issues affecting businesses today October – December 2014 Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Introduction Andrew Wiggins Global and UK Tax Accounting Services Leader +44 (0) 121 232 2065 andrew.wiggins@uk.pwc.com The Global tax accounting services newsletter is a quarterly publication from PwC’s Global Tax Accounting Services (TAS) Group. It highlights issues that may be of interest to tax executives, finance directors, and financial controllers. In this issue, we provide an update on income tax accounting topics added to the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) agenda, the most recent International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Interpretation Committee’s guidance on some tax-related matters, State aid developments, and enforcement priorities in relation to 2014 IFRS financial statements recently released by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Download PwC’s TAS to Go app We also draw your attention to some significant tax law and tax rate changes that occurred around the globe during the quarter ended December 2014. Finally, we discuss key tax accounting hot topics and year-end reminders. This newsletter, tax accounting guides, and other tax accounting publications are also available on our new TAS to Go app, which can be downloaded globally via App Stores. If you would like to discuss any items in this newsletter, tax accounting issues affecting businesses today, or general tax accounting matters, please contact your local PwC team or the relevant Tax Accounting Services network member listed at the end of this document. Readers should not rely on the information contained within this newsletter without seeking professional advice. For a thorough summary of developments, please consult with your local PwC team Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors In this issue Accounting and reporting updates • • • • Income tax accounting topics added to the FASB’s agenda The IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) update State aid developments ESMA’s enforcement priorities in relation to 2014 IFRS financial statements Recent and upcoming major tax law changes • • Notable tax rate changes Other important tax law changes Tax accounting refresher • Key tax accounting hot topics and year-end reminders Contacts and primary authors • • • Global and regional tax accounting leaders Tax accounting leaders in major countries Primary authors Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Accounting and reporting updates This section offers insight into the most recent developments in accounting standards, financial reporting, and related matters, along with the tax accounting implications. Income tax accounting topics added to the FASB’s agenda that will be issued to solicit broad stakeholder input. Overview During its decision-making meeting on 22 October 2014, the FASB also agreed to issue an exposure draft related to the following income tax accounting topics: During its meeting on 8 October 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB or Board) decided to add the following stock-based compensation topics to its agenda as part of its simplification initiative: whether to require recognition of all excess tax benefits (windfalls) and deficiencies (shortfalls) within income tax expense and remove the current requirement that cash taxes payable be reduced in order to record a windfall tax benefit. whether to eliminate the requirement to display the gross amount of windfalls as an operating outflow and financing inflow in the statement of cash flows These income tax accounting considerations will be addressed along with certain other stockbased compensation topics that were also added to the agenda. The Board’s deliberation of these topics is expected to result in an exposure draft elimination of the exception for recognising deferred taxes on certain intercompany transactions classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities as non-current The exposure draft is expected to be issued in January 2015. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide feedback during a 120day comment letter period. In detail Stock compensation On 8 October 2014, the FASB voted to include two income tax accounting topics to the stockbased compensation project and encouraged the FASB staff to continue researching the possibility of entirely eliminating the intraperiod tax allocation rules as a separate project. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Accounting and reporting updates The Board agreed to address the possible recognition of all windfalls and shortfalls within income tax expense. As a reminder, windfalls occur when a stock-based award results in a larger tax deduction than the amount of compensation recorded for book purposes, whereas shortfalls occur when the award results in zero or less of a tax deduction than the related book charge. That proposed treatment would replace the current guidance that allocates tax effects between equity and income tax expense. The FASB staff presented two alternatives to the Board: alternative A: Record all windfalls and shortfalls in income tax expense alternative B: Record all windfalls and shortfalls in equity The FASB staff noted that either alternative would eliminate the necessity of maintaining a windfall ‘pool’ and the potential asymmetry in the classification of tax effects. Both alternatives included the staff’s recommendation to remove the current requirement that cash taxes payable must be reduced in order to record a windfall. The staff had also considered potential convergence with IFRS but concluded that convergence would not result in simplification. Ultimately, the Board voted to include only alternative A in the stock-based compensation project. Additionally, the Board agreed with the staff’s recommendation to include the possible elimination of the current requirement to display the gross amount of windfall as an operating outflow and financing inflow in the cash flow statement. The FASB staff noted that this presentation does not reflect actual cash flows, and represents the only exception from single-line presentation of taxes within operating cash flows. The exposure draft is expected to be released in January 2015. One of the changes to be reflected in the exposure draft would require recognition of the current and deferred income tax consequences of an intra-entity asset transfer when the transfer occurs. This would replace the current exception that requires that both the buyer and the seller in a consolidated reporting group defer the income tax consequences of intra-entity asset transfers. The FASB staff presented two alternatives to the Board: alternative A: Retain the exception and provide guidance about applying the exception to intangible assets alternative B: Eliminate the exception Exposure draft On 22 October 2014, the FASB also agreed to issue an exposure draft related to the following two income tax accounting topics: classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities as non-current elimination of the exception for recognising deferred taxes on certain intercompany transactions Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Accounting and reporting updates The Board noted that alternative B should reduce complexity for users, preparers, regulators, and auditors of financial statements. Alternative B would also allow convergence with IFRS and result in accounting that will be more transparent (i.e., tax provision would reflect current tax consequences of intercompany transactions) and in many cases closer to reflecting tax cash flows. Ultimately, the Board voted to include alternative B in the exposure draft. The Board also agreed to the staff’s recommendation to require the classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent on the balance sheet. This would replace the current guidance, which requires deferred taxes for each tax-paying component of an entity to be presented as a net current asset or liability and a net non-current asset or liability, and eliminate the complexity around the allocation of a valuation allowance between current and non-current. The proposed guidance would also converge with IFRS. Finally, the Board voted on the staff’s recommendations for transition methods and effective dates. The Board agreed to a modified retrospective transition approach (i.e., cumulative catch-up adjustment to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption) for the intercompany transactions topic and prospective transition for the classification topic. In the period of adoption, transition disclosures will include: (1) the nature of and reason for the accounting change and (2) the method of applying the change which would include the effects of the change on any affected financial statement line item and per-share amounts for the current period. In lieu of disclosing the effects of the change on the balance sheet for the classification topic, the Board agreed that the disclosure would note that the presented balance sheets are not comparable. The changes would be effective for financial reporting years beginning after 15 December 2016, for public companies. For private companies, changes would be effective for financial reporting years beginning after 15 December 2017, and interim periods in the following year. Early adoption to the public companies’ effective date would be permitted for private companies. Early adoption, if chosen, would need to be applied to both topics. Takeaway The steps recently taken by the FASB and the ongoing efforts of the FASB staff may lead to significant near-term improvements that could reduce the complexity of accounting for income taxes. At present, there are two projects that address the simplification of income tax accounting: the income tax project and the stock-based compensation project. Income taxes are also included in the Disclosure Framework project and the FASB staff continue to study intra-period tax allocation. Organisations should be giving attention to the implications of potential near-term changes in these tax accounting areas. Consideration should be given to responding to the exposure draft once it is issued. There are also likely to be further developments as the FASB works through the tax accounting topics now on its agenda. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Accounting and reporting updates The IFRS IC update Overview During the fourth quarter of 2014 the IFRS IC considered the following two issues: measurement of current income tax on uncertain tax positions (UTPs) selection of the applicable tax rate for the measurement of deferred tax relating to an investment in an associate in a multi-tax rate jurisdiction The IFRS IC discussed the UTP issues earlier in 2014 (see the Q1 and Q3 2014 newsletters) and noted that one of the principal issues with respect to UTPs is how to measure related assets and liabilities. It tentatively decided to proceed with developing guidance for the measurement of UTPs. In addressing the issue of the applicable tax rate for the measurement of deferred tax relating to an investment in an associate in a multi-tax rate jurisdiction, the IFRS IC noted that IAS 12 contains sufficient guidance on this matter and decided not to add this issue to its agenda. Measurement of current income tax on uncertain tax position As mentioned above, the IFRS IC tentatively decided to proceed with the project on the measurement of UTPs, subject to further analysis and deliberations. During its November 2014 meeting, the IFRS IC discussed: the scope of the project the unit of account for measurement of UTPs a possible approach for the measurement method(s) Scope The IFRS IC tentatively agreed that all income tax positions should be included within the scope of this project. It thought that attempting to limit the scope to specific situations, for example, when an entity has unresolved disputes with a tax authority, would lead to an arbitrary rule. The IFRS IC also noted that paragraph 14 of IAS 12 and the objective of IAS 12 refer to the ‘probable’ recognition threshold, although IAS 12 does not explicitly set the threshold of recognition for a current tax asset or liability. It also noted that the current Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting also refers to a probable recognition threshold. As noted in the final decision on the issue of recognition of current income tax on UTPs in July 2014, it is IAS 12, not IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, that provides the relevant guidance on recognition. The IFRS IC observed that setting a scope to specific situations is not necessary if it develops guidance that would require an entity to recognise a current tax asset or liability only if it is probable that it will pay the amount to, or recover the amount from, a tax authority. As a result, the IFRS IC tentatively agreed that the proposed guidance should require an entity to recognise a current tax asset or liability only if it is probable that it will pay the amount to, or recover the amount from, a tax authority. Unit of account The IFRS IC observed that an entity should make a judgement about the unit of account that provides relevant information for each UTP. For example, if a decision on a specific UTP is expected to affect, or be affected by, other UTPs, it noted that those UTPs should be accounted for as a single unit of account. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Accounting and reporting updates Approach for measurement The IFRS IC observed that an entity should estimate the amount expected to be paid to (or recovered from) the taxation authorities by using either the most likely amount or the expected value, depending on which method provides a better estimate. This is because this approach would provide useful information to predict future cash flows for each case. It also noted that this approach is similar to the measurement of an amount of variable consideration in IFRS 15. The IFRS IC decided not to propose a more-likely-thannot measurement threshold, noting that IFRS does not refer to a more-likely-than-not amount and that both IFRS 15 and IAS 37 refer to the expected value and the most likely amount. As mentioned in the Q3 2014 newsletter, the IFRS IC had tentatively decided that the proposed guidance should clarify that an entity should assume that the tax authorities would examine the amounts reported to them and have full knowledge of all relevant information (i.e., it should assume a 100% detection risk). contact the staff of the FASB, to discuss its experience with developing guidance on this subject. Selection of the applicable tax rate for measurement of deferred tax relating to investment in associate As mentioned above, the IFRS IC received a request to clarify the selection of the applicable tax rate for the measurement of deferred tax relating to an investment in an associate in a multi-tax rate jurisdiction. The IFRS IC was asked how the tax rate should be selected when local tax legislation prescribes different tax rates for different manners of recovery (for example, dividends, sale, and liquidation) in the following situation: The carrying amount of an investment in an associate could be recovered by: receiving dividends (or some other distribution of profit) sale to a third party, or Form of guidance The IFRS IC tentatively decided to develop a draft Interpretation, reflecting the above tentative decisions. receiving residual assets upon liquidation of the associate An investor normally considers all of these means of recovery. One part of the temporary difference will be received as dividends during the holding period, and another part will be recovered upon sale or liquidation. The IFRS IC noted that paragraph 51A of IAS 12 states that an entity measures deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets using the tax rate and the tax base that are consistent with the expected manner of recovery or settlement. If one part of the temporary difference is expected to be received as dividends, and another part is expected to be recovered upon sale or liquidation (for example, an investor has a plan to sell the investment later and expects to receive dividends until the sale of the investment) different tax rates would be applied to the different parts of the temporary difference to be consistent with the expected manner of recovery. The IFRS IC observed that it had received no evidence of diversity in the application of IAS 12 and that the Standard contains sufficient guidance to address the matters raised. Accordingly, the IFRS IC determined that neither an Interpretation of, nor an amendment to, IAS 12 was necessary and decided not to add this issue to its agenda. The staff will present the draft Interpretation at a future meeting. The IFRS IC also asked the staff to Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Accounting and reporting updates State aid developments Overview At the beginning of 2014, the European Commission announced a new focus on ‘fiscal’ State aid. This focus was in part triggered by the unfolding Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD)/G20’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Action Plan as well as the European Union’s (EU) own agenda to crack down on what may be viewed as unfair incentives or subsidies which contravene EU-wide fair trade or competition principles. This has resulted in the opening of a series of investigations into specific tax rulings and tax regimes, including the following: examination of the Gibraltar tax ruling practice, which dates from 2010 examination of transfer pricing agreements in Ireland, Luxembourg, and Netherlands The European Commission also announced that an administrative interpretation of the Spanish tax authorities issued in March 2012, which allowed companies to amortise the financial goodwill on indirect shareholdings, is incompatible with EU State aid rules. However the General Court of the EU recently overturned this decision on the basis that the approach to selectivity (see further comments on the point of selectivity below) adopted by the Commission was wrong. The European Commission may now appeal to the Court of Justice of the EU. In detail What is ‘fiscal’ State aid? EU State aid rules are relevant for undertakings with business activities in the Member States of the EU and the three countries of the European Economic Area (EEA, i.e., the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway). The term ‘undertaking’ has been widely construed by the courts but would include activities carried on by partnerships and companies, including activities carried on through a permanent establishment. These States are prohibited from providing certain forms of State aid to undertakings without prior authorisation of the European Commission (or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Surveillance Authority with respect to Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway). This prohibition is part of European competition law, and is intended to safeguard fair competition within the EU/EEA. The legal basis for the State aid ban is in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) or for Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway in the EEA Agreement. The most straightforward example of State aid is a subsidy provided directly to a certain undertaking. However, State aid can also consist of a reduction of taxes otherwise due (e.g., a tax exemption), as this provides an advantage to certain undertakings (i.e., the tax rulings or regimes are determined to be selective). This is referred to as ‘fiscal’ State aid. Forms of fiscal State aid Broadly speaking, fiscal State aid comes in two forms: a tax measure or regime that provides a selective advantage an individual concession granted to a taxpayer (e.g., through the use of a tax ruling or via a settlement) Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Accounting and reporting updates Unlawful State aid Under certain circumstances aid granted by EU or EEA Member States can be compatible with EU Law. It is up to the European Commission to determine (subject to appeal) whether aid is compatible with the EU’s internal market. Aid granted without prior authorisation of the European Commission or the EFTA Surveillance Authority, is assumed to be unlawful until proven otherwise. If the European Commission or the EFTA Surveillance Authority ultimately conclude that the tax benefit in question was more generous than either the local law allowed, or that the local law itself gave an unjustifiable selective tax advantage, then the Commission may be obliged to order the State to recover the unlawful tax benefit from the taxpayer with compound interest for up to ten years prior to the opening of the investigation. Existing aid (broadly, aid schemes and individual aid which were in place before the relevant Member State signed onto EU/EEA Treaties) is not subject to recovery. The European Commission and the EFTA Surveillance Authority monitor such aid and may order that the aid be removed prospectively. Quantification of State aid The aid subject to recovery should be quantified by comparing the tax, which should ‘normally’ have been paid—i.e., without application of the selective tax measure—with the tax that has in fact been paid. Takeaway Organisations will need to monitor State aid developments and investigations and consider possible financial implications whenever a tax ruling, tax settlement, or even tax regime may be considered State aid. The accounting consequences of such investigations, based on available information, are likely to be in the scope of ASC740 Income Taxes and IAS 12, Income Taxes. Organisations should assess the potential effect on existing uncertain income tax positions, as well as amounts owed for previously considered closed periods and possible refund claims or positions to be taken in the future. State aid should also be an important consideration when establishing any new tax position with the tax authorities, whether in relation to a tax ruling, tax settlement, or the application of a specific tax regime. Any measure in an EU or EEA Member State, be it a tax rule, regime, system, assessment, agreement, or ruling should be considered from a State aid perspective. Organisations may need to seek expert support in assessing risks or uncertainty from appropriate legal counsel. Expert analysis should address the company’s position in the context of the relevant accounting standard, such as the ‘more likely than not’ recognition threshold of ASC 740. Organisations will also need to document management’s view and associated controls, and consider the relevant disclosure requirements. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Accounting and reporting updates ESMA’s enforcement priorities in relation to 2014 IFRS financial statements 1. Overview 2. financial reporting by entities which have joint arrangements and related disclosures ESMA is an independent EU Authority, whose predominant role is to serve as the EU’s securities market regulator. One of ESMA’s areas of responsibility is to promote the effective and consistent application of the European Securities and Markets legislation with respect to financial reporting. On 28 October 2014, ESMA issued its public statement on the European common enforcement priorities for 2014 IFRS financial statements. These priorities identify topics that ESMA, together with European national enforcers, see as a key focus of their examinations of listed companies’ financial statements. In detail Based on the public statement ESMA’s enforcement priorities for FY 2014 are focused on the following topics: preparation and presentation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures 3. recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets These topics were highlighted as they related to either: significant changes to accounting practices as a result of new standards such as IFRS 10, 11, and 12 or challenges to issuers as a result of the current economic environment, notably when forecasting future taxable profits in periods of low economic growth (IAS 12) With respect to income taxes (IAS 12), ESMA noted that particular attention should be paid to the recognition of deferred tax assets coming from the carry-forward of unused tax losses, to the assessment whether future taxable profits exist, and to the need for disclosing judgments made when recognising deferred tax assets. When the utilisation of the deferred tax asset is dependent on future taxable profits or when the entity has suffered a loss in either the current or preceding period in the tax jurisdiction to which the deferred tax asset relates, paragraph 82 of IAS 12 requires the disclosure of the amount of a deferred tax asset and the nature of the evidence supporting its recognition. In this respect ESMA expects issuers to disclose specific significant assumptions made in their business plans, as losses can be carried forward over very long periods, and the business plans that support the existence of future taxable profits are based on assumptions that are often highly judgmental. When amounts are material, issuers should consider separate disclosures based on the characteristics of the tax losses, e.g., considering different time limits during which tax losses must be utilised. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Accounting and reporting updates ESMA believes that it is particularly relevant to disclose the following information: the period used for the assessment of the recovery of a deferred tax asset the judgments made when determining it the amount of tax losses carried forward for which deferred tax assets were recognised compared to the total tax losses carried forward that are available for each material tax group or entity. Finally, ESMA noted that the IFRS IC recently discussed the question of recognition and measurement of income taxes in relation to uncertain tax positions (see above). In light of these discussions, ESMA expects issuers to disclose their accounting policy related to material uncertain tax positions in accordance with paragraphs 117 and 122 of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements. Takeaway The public statement of ESMA clearly demonstrates that income taxes are high on the current agenda. Organisations should be paying particular attention to recognition, measurement, and disclosure requirements for deferred tax assets on carry-forward tax losses. Companies should also keep a close watch on the IFRS IC developments on uncertain tax positions and consider the follow on consequences for disclosures. Contacts and primary authors Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Recent and upcoming major tax law changes This section focuses on major changes in the tax law that may be of interest to multinational companies and can be helpful in their tax accounting considerations. It is intended to increase readers’ awareness of the main global tax law changes during the quarter, but does not offer a comprehensive list of tax law changes that should be considered for financial statements. Any significant income tax law developments that occur in December 2014 and not covered by this newsletter will be highlighted in a separate tax law changes alert in January 2015. Notable enacted tax rate changes Country Prior rate New rate Portugal (CIT) 23% 21%1 Spain (CIT) 30% 28%/25%2 Thailand (CIT for the 2015 year) 30% 20%3 1 This change was substantively enacted on 31 October 2014, and is effective from 1 January 2015. The corporate income tax rate in Spain was reduced from 30% to 28% in 2015 and to 25% in 2016 (30% rate would continue to apply to financial institutions). This change was enacted on 28 November 2014. 3 The statutory CIT rate in Thailand has historically been 30%. The CIT rate was reduced to 20% for 2013 and 2014, and the 20% rate has now been extended to 2015. This change was enacted on 10 November 2014. 2 Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Other important tax law changes Click each circle to review Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Australia extend roll overs (that would generally allow for a deferral of tax) to circumstances where the relevant shares or units are held as revenue assets or trading stock) were removed. An anti-avoidance rule has been introduced to target certain ‘back-to-back’ loan arrangements that aim to avoid application of withholding tax and thin capitalisation rules. Access to the managed investment trust withholding regime is allowed for foreign pension funds. An exemption from tax on income derived by entities engaged in US Force Posture Initiatives is now available. The ‘regulated foreign financial institution exception’ in the foreign accrual property income (FAPI) regime has been amended to ensure the exception does not apply to nonfinancial institutions. It has been clarified that the anti-avoidance rule in the FAPI regime will apply to certain tax planning arrangements referred to as ‘insurance swaps.’ During the fourth quarter of 2014, the following tax measures were enacted in Australia: Amendments were made to the thin capitalisation rules (1) to reduce the deductible debt limits from a debt-to-equity ratio of 3:1 to 1.5:1, (2) to increase the de minimis threshold exemption from AUD 250,000 to AUD 2,000,000, and (3) make the worldwide leverage ratio test available to Australian inbound and outbound groups. The participation exemption for dividends received from foreign companies on shares that qualify as debt interests under the Australian debt/equity rules was removed. A new integrity measure with respect to the non-resident capital gains tax (CGT) provisions was introduced. Broadly, transactions between group members are now ignored when their effect is to create or duplicate an asset that is not ‘Taxable Australian Property’ in order to potentially avoid Australian CGT. Tax impediments to certain business restructures (broadly, the changes would The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) also provided long-awaited draft guidance on the application of the equity over-ride rule. This rule reclassifies a debt interest issued by a company to a ‘connected entity’ as an equity interest and treats distributions on that interest as dividends. Canada During the fourth quarter of 2014, certain 2014 budget proposals (see the Q1 2014 newsletter) were substantively enacted, including the following: In addition, the following measures were substantively enacted: amendments to the foreign affiliate dumping rules (these rules broadly apply when a foreign parent company uses its Canadian affiliate to invest in another foreign affiliate) amendments to taxation of Canadian corporations with foreign affiliates A domestic anti-avoidance rule has been introduced to target ‘double tax treaty shopping.’ Map view Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Recent and upcoming major tax law changes amendments to the application of the ‘exempt surplus’ (i.e., active business income earned in a treaty country) rules to certain Australian resident trusts in which a controlled foreign affiliate of a Canadian corporation has a beneficial interest amendments to trust loss restriction event rules (these rules broadly apply when there is a change in the majority-interest beneficiary of the trust) Germany During the fourth quarter of 2014, the relevant committees of the German Bundesrat (the states council of the German parliament) issued a joint recommendation to include certain tax provisions in a draft bill that would amend the General Tax Code as it pertains to the EU Customs Codex and other tax provisions (ZollkodexAnpG). The proposed amendments include: Colombia During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Colombian government introduced the following tax reform proposals: A temporary net wealth tax would be assessed on net equity on domestic and foreign legal entities. The rate of the income tax on equality (CREE for its Spanish acronym) would be kept at 9% non-deductibility of business expenses when there is no corresponding income inclusion, and shut down of certain ‘double-dip’ structures (amendments reflecting the OECD’s base erosion and profit shifting initiative, or BEPS) removal of the 95% participation exemption for capital gains on portfolio shares (defined as less than 10% ownership) in a German corporation. broadening the intra-group exception in the German loss forfeiture rules ‘clarification’ of the attribution rules for the events triggering the imposition of the real A CREE surcharge would be applied until 2018. estate transfer tax (RETT) for indirect transfers of German real estate owning partnerships limitation of the allowable consideration (other than shares, e.g., cash or loan receivables) in a tax-free in-kind contribution under the Reorganisation Tax Act. Currently, an in-kind contribution (including share-for-share exchanges) may be treated tax-free although the transferor receives additional consideration besides shares/interest of the recipient entity (e.g., cash or loan receivables, commonly known as boot) up to the net tax basis of the contributed assets and liabilities. Hungary During the fourth quarter of 2014, changes to tax loss carry-forward rules were enacted in Hungary. In particular, tax losses incurred after 2015 would be available for utilisation within five years; losses incurred before 2015 would be available for utilisation up to 31 December 2025; and rules on transferring carried-forward tax losses incurred in relation to reorganisations or takeovers would be tightened. Map view Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Ireland Italy During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Minister for Finance of Ireland announced the Irish Budget 2015, that included the following proposed measures: During the fourth quarter of 2014, the following measures were proposed in Italy: reaffirmed commitment to maintaining Ireland’s 12.5% corporation tax rate for active trading income changes to corporate tax residence rules to ensure that Irish incorporated companies can only be considered non-Irish tax resident under the terms of a double tax treaty introduction of a new ‘Knowledge Development Box’ regime, and enhancement of the existing intangible property (IP) regime for expenditures on intangible assets enhancements to Ireland’s existing R&D tax credit regime The 2014 financial year IRAP rate decrease would be repealed. Certain employment costs would be fully deductible for IRAP purposes. A Patent Box regime would be introduced. The regime would grant an exemption for corporate and regional tax purposes in respect of income sourced from intangible assets. In the first two years (2015 and 2016) the exemption would be 30% and 40% of the relevant income; thereafter it would be 50%. Taxpayers would be required to enter into an Advanced Pricing Agreement (APA) with the Italian Revenue Agency to benefit from the regime. Luxembourg During the fourth quarter of 2014, it was proposed that starting in 2015 a minimum corporate income tax of EUR 3,000 (EUR 3,210 with the solidarity surtax) would be applicable to all Luxembourg entities that own fixed assets, transferable securities and cash at bank exceeding 90% of their total assets and EUR 350,000. Malta During the fourth quarter of 2014, Malta enacted an investment tax credit for tangible/intangible asset investment or new job creation. This tax credit is effective from 1 July 2014. Mexico During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Mexican Tax Authorities have published Form 76, Information Return Regarding Relevant Transactions requiring the disclosure of certain information, including financing transactions relating to derivatives, transfer pricing, changes in the capital structure, or tax residency, restructurings and reorganisations. The form must be filed electronically within 30 working days after the occurrence of a relevant transaction. Relevant transactions that occurred during the 2014 calendar year must be reported on Form 76 by 31 January 2015. Map view Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Panama Portugal Russia During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Panamanian government enacted Law 25, granting an amnesty for tax payments for liabilities accrued before 30 September 2014. Taxpayers that take advantage of the amnesty will not be subject to surcharges, interest, or penalties on outstanding tax liabilities. The deadline to pay tax existing liabilities is 31 December 2014. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Portuguese Government substantially enacted certain measures presented in its State Budget for 2015 including the following: During the fourth quarter of 2014, Russia eliminated the 30% penalty tax rate on dividends payable on the shares of Russian issuers recorded through depositary programs and other accounts of foreign intermediaries. This rate previously applied when information about the beneficial owners of dividends was not disclosed in due course to a Russian tax agent. With the change, effective on 1 January 2015 the maximum Russian withholding income tax rate on dividends will be 15%. Poland During the fourth quarter of 2014, the following tax measures covered in the Q3 2014 newsletter were enacted in Poland: amendments to the thin capitalisation rules that are effective January 2015 introduction of controlled foreign company (CFC) provisions, expected in January 2016 During the fourth quarter of 2014 the government also drafted legislation for tax anti-avoidance rules. These rules are expected to take effect in January 2016. The standard corporate income tax rate will be reduced from 23% to 21%. Dividends and profits received from entities in which they are treated as tax-deductible expenses will no longer be able to benefit from the participation exemption regime. This would apply even if the dividends were paid by EU subsidiaries. The Portuguese government has also approved the new Investment Tax Code, which aims to reinforce the existing investment tax benefits and adapt them to the new EU State aid framework. The government also discussed a comprehensive Green Taxation reform package that includes the extension of the tax deductibility of provisions made for environmental clean-up costs to all industries (currently available only to extractive and waste management industries). During the fourth quarter of 2014, the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament passed a new ‘anti-offshore’ law. The law’s main purpose is to prevent tax avoidance by Russian tax residents through the use of tax havens and low-tax jurisdictions. However, it also includes measures that affect foreign investors owning equities in Russian entities or receiving income from Russian entities. The key developments in the ‘anti-offshore’ law include the introduction of: a beneficial ownership concept for the purposes of applying double tax treaty (DTT) benefits Map view Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Recent and upcoming major tax law changes a tax on ‘indirect’ sales of immovable property in Russia a tax residency concept for legal entities, based on place of management Thailand a CFC regime. The law requires approval by the upper chamber of the Parliament and the president. It is expected to be effective from 1 January 2015. Spain During the fourth quarter of 2014, a number of tax measures were enacted in Spain, including the following: Losses associated with tangible and intangible assets on intra-group transactions are now available for deferral. The offset of tax losses is now limited to 70% of taxable income. Impairment losses in relation to tangible assets and investment property are no longer tax deductible. New tax depreciation rates have been implemented. proposed by the OECD. The modified nexus approach requires the tax benefits of IP regimes to be connected directly to research and development (R&D) expenditures. The joint proposal amends these rules to address concerns expressed by some countries and seeks to tackle outstanding issues related to qualifying expenditures, grandfathering, transitional arrangements, and tracking qualifying R&D expenditures. As mentioned above, during the fourth quarter of 2014, Thailand enacted the reduction of its corporate income tax rate for the 2015 year from 30% to 20%. Without further action the rate will revert to 30% in 2016. Given that Thailand is running a substantial budget deficit, and the government has announced significant new infrastructure spending programs, further rate cut extensions are uncertain. The definition of qualifying expenditures would exclude related-party outsourcing and acquisition costs. However, to reduce the negative impact of this exclusion, companies may increase their qualifying expenditures by 30%, subject to a cap based on actual expenditures. The proposal’s grandfathering arrangements would allow companies that enter into IP arrangements before June 2016 to take advantage of existing patent box regimes for existing patents/products until June 2021. The new rules would apply to IP regimes entered into in and after June 2016. United Kingdom During the fourth quarter of 2014, the UK and German governments developed a joint proposal to advance negotiations on new rules for preferential IP regimes within the G20/OECD BEPS project and presented it at the OECD Forum on Harmful Tax Practices (FHTP) in November 2014. The key points of the proposal are as follows: The proposal is intended to bridge the gaps between OECD and G20 member countries on the application of the modified nexus approach Map view Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Recent and upcoming major tax law changes In addition, the UK government announced the following key proposals (expected to apply from 1 April 2015): The UK government also announced steps to implement the OECD model for country by country reporting and published a consultation paper on the implementation of the proposed rules governing hybrid mismatch arrangements, aimed at preventing tax relief for payments where the recipient is not taxed. A 25% Diverted Profits Tax (targeting ‘artificially diverted profits’) would be introduced. The R&D expenditure credit would increase from 10% to 11%. United States The amount of a bank’s annual profit that can be offset by carried-forward losses would be restricted to 50%. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Senate voted to pass the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, providing for a one-year retroactive extension of business and individual tax provisions that expired at the end of 2013. Key business provisions that would be renewed through 31 December 2014, include the research credit, 50% bonus depreciation, look-through treatment for CFCs, and a Subpart F exception for active financing income. The tax extenders package does not include any revenue offsets. Map view Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Tax accounting refresher In this section we discuss key year-end reminders in relation to uncertain tax positions, valuation allowances and disclosures. These areas continued to be areas of focus by regulators in the US and Europe in the 2014 calendar year. Key tax accounting hot topics and year-end reminders 1. Uncertain tax positions Under US GAAP, the assessment of a UTP is a continuous process that does not end with the initial determination of a position’s sustainability. At each balance sheet date, unresolved positions must be reassessed based upon new information. ASC740 requires that changes in the expected outcome of a UTP be based on new information, and not on a mere re-evaluation of existing information. Under IFRS, accounting for UTPs is not specifically addressed. Organisations should account for tax consequences of events following the manner in which they expect the tax position to be resolved with the tax authorities at the balance sheet date. However, more guidance is expected to be issued on this subject once the IFRS IC completes its project on the measurement of UTPs (see the IFRS IC update above). Organisations should consider the following reminders with respect to UTPs as part of their year-end process: US GAAP reminders New information can relate to developments in case law, changes in tax law, new regulations issued by taxing authorities, interactions with the taxing authorities, or other developments. Such developments could potentially change the estimate of the amount that is expected to eventually be sustained or cause a position to meet or fail to meet the recognition threshold. While the definition of what can constitute new information is expansive, a new or fresh reassessment of the same information does not constitute new information. In assessing UTPs, an organisation is required to recognise the benefit of a tax position in the first interim period that one of the following conditions is met: The more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is met. The tax position is ‘effectively settled’ through examination, negotiation, or litigation. The statute of limitations for the relevant taxing authority to examine and challenge the tax has expired. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Tax accounting refresher For a tax position to be considered effectively settled, all three of the following conditions must be met: The taxing authority has completed its expected examination procedures, including appeals and any administrative reviews required. The taxpayer does not intend to appeal or litigate any aspect of the tax position included in the completed examination. It is remote that the taxing authority would examine/re-examine any aspect of the tax position. If the requirements of effective settlement are met, the resulting tax benefit is required to be reported; the application of effective settlement criterion is not elective. On a jurisdictional basis, ASU No. 2013-11 generally requires an unrecognised tax benefit (UTB) to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (NOL) carryforward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward. This would be the case except when an NOL carry-forward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carry-forward is not available under the tax laws of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes resulting from the disallowance of a tax position. In such instances, the UTB should be recorded as a liability and cannot be combined with the deferred tax asset. The assessment as to whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the UTB and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made assuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. When organisations consider uncertain tax positions in relation to each taxing authority, the key issue is the measurement of the tax liability. It is usually probable that an entity will pay tax, so the recognition threshold has been met. Organisations should calculate the total amount of current tax they expects to pay, taking into account all the tax uncertainties, using either an expected value (weighted average probability) approach or a single best estimate of the most likely outcome. Required disclosures related to UTPs are often extensive and can be highly sensitive (see below). In later periods organisations need to decide whether a change in the tax estimate is justified. A change in recognition and measurement is normally justified where circumstances change or where new facts clarify the probability of estimates previously made. Such changes might be: further judicial developments related to a specific case or to a similar case; substantive communications from the tax authorities; or a change in status of a tax year (for example, moving from open to closed in a particular jurisdiction). IFRS reminders When organisations consider uncertain tax positions individually, they should first consider whether each position taken in the tax return is probable of being sustained on examination by the taxing authority. They should recognise a liability for each item that is not probable of being sustained. The liability is measured using either an expected value (weighted average probability) approach or a single best estimate of the most likely outcome. The current tax liability is the total liability for uncertain tax positions. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Tax accounting refresher 2. Valuation allowances US GAAP reminders The evaluation of the need for, and amount of, a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is an area that has always presented a challenge for financial statement preparers under US GAAP. The assessment requires significant judgment and a thorough analysis of the totality of both positive and negative evidence available to determine whether all or a portion of the deferred tax asset is more likely than not expected to be realised. In this analysis, the accounting standard proscribes that the weight given to each piece of positive or negative evidence be directly related to the extent to which that evidence can be objectively verified. Accordingly, recently observed financial results are given more weight than future projections (which by their nature are often inherently subjective). Under IFRS, deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable (defined as ‘more likely than not’) that sufficient taxable profits will be available to utilise the deductible temporary difference or unused tax losses. Valuation allowances are not allowed to be recorded. As companies perform their assessments, the following reminders may be helpful: Where local law within a jurisdiction allows for consolidation, a valuation allowance assessment generally should be performed at the consolidated jurisdictional level. However, where the local tax law does not allow for consolidation, the valuation allowance assessment would typically need to be performed at the separate legal-entity level. The accounting standard requires that all available evidence be considered in determining whether a valuation allowance is needed, including events occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are released. However, a valuation allowance assessment should generally not anticipate certain fundamental transactions such as initial public offerings, business combinations, and financing transactions until those transactions are completed. There should be clear, explainable reasons for changes in valuation allowances. In assessing possible changes, it is important to consider again the basis for amounts previously provided and how new information modifies previous judgments. For example, consideration should be given to whether the results for the current year provide additional insights as to the recoverability of deferred tax assets or as to management’s ability to forecast future results. The mere existence of cumulative losses in recent years or for that matter cumulative income in recent years is not conclusive in and of itself of whether a valuation allowance is or is not required. The realisation of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the existence of sufficient taxable income of an appropriate character that would allow for incremental cash tax savings. For example, if tax losses are carried back to prior years, freeing up tax credits (which were originally used to reduce the tax payable) rather than resulting in a refund, a valuation allowance would still be necessary if there are no additional sources of income to support the realisation of the freed-up tax credits. Certain tax-planning strategies may provide a source of income for the apparent recognition of deferred tax assets in one jurisdiction, but not provide incremental tax savings to the consolidated entity. In order to avoid a valuation allowance in reliance on a taxplanning strategy, we believe that the taxplanning strategy generally must provide cash savings to the consolidated entity. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Tax accounting refresher Taxable temporary differences associated with indefinite-lived assets (e.g., land, goodwill, indefinite-lived intangibles) generally cannot be used as a source of taxable income. Thus, a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets may be necessary even when an enterprise is in an overall net deferred tax liability position. In jurisdictions with unlimited carry-forward periods for tax attributes (e.g., NOLs, an alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryforwards, and other non-expiring loss or credit carry-forwards), deferred tax assets may be supported by the indefinite-lived deferred tax liabilities. are often critical to provide the user of the financial statements with the insight needed to understand management’s valuation allowance conclusion and the key factors and evidence utilised by management to reach it. Armed with this information, financial statement users are better able to assess the likelihood of the realisation of the recorded deferred tax assets for themselves and make more informed conclusions about the financial condition of the company (see also below). The reversal of an outside basis difference in a foreign subsidiary cannot be viewed as a source of taxable income when the foreign earnings are asserted to be indefinitely reinvested. Taxable temporary differences on equity method investments can be considered as a source of taxable income provided there is an appropriate expectation as to the timing and character of reversal in relation to the deferred tax assets. Due to the significant judgments involved in determining whether a deferred tax asset is realisable, clear and transparent disclosures IFRS reminders Where there is a balance of favourable and unfavourable evidence, careful consideration needs to be given to recoverability of a deferred tax asset (DTA) based on the entity’s projections for taxable profits for each year after the balance sheet date. The amount of taxable profits considered more likely than not for each period is assessed. Where there are insufficient taxable temporary differences against which a DTA can be offset, organisations should consider the likelihood that taxable profits will arise in the same period(s) as the reversal of the deductible temporary differences (or in the periods into which a tax loss arising from the deferred tax asset can be carried back or forward). The assessment of taxable profits should take account of the tax rules governing the relief of losses, such as the type of profits permitted to be used (that is, trading profit or capital gain). Also organisations need to consider if the assessment of taxable profits is restricted to the entity with the losses, or whether group relief is available. In order to recognise a DTA in relation to unused tax losses criteria in paragraph 36 of IAS 12 need to be considered carefully when assessing the probability that taxable profit will be available against which these tax losses can be utilised. Organisations need to review the carrying amount of the resulting DTA at the end of each reporting period in accordance with paragraph 56 of IAS 12. Similar to US GAAP, appropriate disclosures in relation to the amount of a DTA and the nature of evidence supporting the recognitions need to be considered (see also below). Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Tax accounting refresher 3. Disclosures In light of the continued focus on disclosures by investors and regulators, companies may wish to enhance their procedures around the identification and development of income tax-related disclosures. Additionally, a fresh look may be warranted to ensure disclosures are concise and use plain language. When a deferred tax liability (DTL) has not been recognised because of the exception for indefinite reinvestment, the following information should be disclosed: Key reminders to consider as part of the year-end process include the following: the cumulative amount of each type of temporary difference, e.g., the amount of unremitted earnings and amount of cumulative currency translation the estimated amount of unrecognised DTL or a statement that the determination of such an estimate is not practicable US GAAP reminders Current deferred tax assets and liabilities within a single tax jurisdiction should be offset and presented as a single amount in the balance sheet. Similarly, non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities within a single tax jurisdiction should be offset and presented as a single amount. Preparers should ensure that amounts that are netted in their presentation of the tax accounts in the financial statements reflect the right of offset within the current and non-current classifications of the balance sheet. Consideration should be given to disclosing the nature and effect of significant items affecting the comparability of the tax accounts and effective tax rate for all periods presented. a description of the types of temporary differences and the types of events that would cause those differences to become taxable in the parent’s home country jurisdiction For companies that do not disclose an estimate of the unrecorded liability, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff has been requesting an explanation as to why determination of an estimate is not practicable. Some companies that had historically concluded that an estimate was not practicable have more recently begun disclosing an estimate. Disclosure of tax attribute carry-forwards should be based upon the accounting recognition and measurement criteria. A company may wish to consider explanatory disclosure of both the amounts claimed in tax returns and the respective amounts benefitted in the financial statements. Consideration should be given to ensure that tax accounts from different jurisdictions (where the right of offset does not exist) are reported separately on the balance sheet. Preparers should ensure that the tax accounts of different jurisdictions are not netted to the extent there is no right of offset. The valuation allowance for a particular tax jurisdiction should be allocated between current and non-current deferred tax assets for that tax jurisdiction on a pro rata basis (see the FASB update above for potential developments on this topic), consistent with the ratio of current and deferred gross deferred tax assets. This is the case even when the valuation allowance may only relate to one identifiable temporary difference. Companies should ensure that the allocation methodology is applied. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Tax accounting refresher Financial statement amounts reported in the consolidated income tax provision and net income attributable to a non-controlling interest (NCI) can differ based on whether the subsidiary is a C-corporation or a partnership. Explanatory disclosures may be appropriate if the impacts of the NCI are significant. Consideration should be given to early warning disclosures related to significant estimates and judgments related to income taxes. Examples include disclosure of possible near-term recognition or release of a valuation allowance or a material change in an uncertain tax position. Companies should consider early warning disclosures to the extent any significant estimate or judgment may change. This early warning disclosure may also include discussion of any significant impact of potential tax rate changes that are in various stages of legislative processes. Management discussion and analysis (MD&A) requires disclosure of known uncertainties if it is reasonably likely that the uncertainty will come to fruition and it is reasonably likely to have a material impact on financial condition or results of operations. Unrecognised tax benefits disclosure includes positions expected to be taken in amended tax returns (or refund claims), as well as positions presented directly to a taxing authority during the course of an examination. The required footnote disclosures for UTPs should be provided for each of the periods presented in the financial statements. Companies must disclose the nature of uncertain positions and related events if it is reasonably possible that the positions and events could change the associated recognised tax benefits within the next 12 months. This includes previously unrecognised tax benefits that are expected to be recognised upon the expiration of a statute of limitations within the next year. Uncertain tax benefits must be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carry-forwards that would be utilised. Further, public entities are required to include all UTBs (gross) within the UTB footnote disclosures. Transparency in financial reporting/disclosure remains a continued focus for regulators and shareholders. An emerging trend has been noted regarding shareholder groups highlighting a lack of income tax disclosure to the Board of Directors and Audit Committee level. Companies should remain cognisant of end users in drafting income tax disclosures— particularly in quantifying financial impacts and overall integrated reporting. IFRS reminders Organisations need to consider quality of disclosures in the financial statements. As continued to be emphasised by the European securities market regulator, ESMA, the focus needs to be not on the number of items disclosed (that could overload financial statements with excessive detail), but rather on the quality of the disclosed information, i.e., clear and complete representation of the relevant facts that are specific to the entity and are necessary to understand the company’s financial performance and position. Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher As mentioned in the ESMA’s update above, companies are expected to disclose significant assumptions made in their business plans to support the existence of future taxable profits to allow utilisation of losses. In particular, the following information needs to be disclosed: the period used for the assessment of the recovery of a deferred tax asset the judgments made when determining it the amount of tax losses carried forward for which deferred tax assets were recognised compared to the total tax losses carried forward that are available for each material tax group or entity As also mentioned above, issuers will be expected to disclose their accounting policy related to material uncertain tax positions in accordance with paragraphs 117 and 122 of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements. Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Contacts For more information on the topics discussed in this newsletter or for other tax accounting questions, including how to obtain copies of the PwC publications referenced, contact your local PwC engagement team or your Tax Accounting Services network member listed here. Global and regional tax accounting leaders Global and United Kingdom Asia Pacific Andrew Wiggins Global and UK Tax Accounting Services Leader +44 (0) 121 232 2065 andrew.wiggins@uk.pwc.com Terry SY Tam Asia Pacific Tax Accounting Services Leader +86 (21) 2323 1555 terry.sy.tam@cn.pwc.com EMEA Latin America Kenneth Shives EMEA Tax Accounting Services Leader +32 (2) 710 4812 kenneth.shives@be.pwc.com Marjorie Dhunjishah Latin America Tax Accounting Services Leader +1 (703) 918 3608 marjorie.l.dhunjishah@us.pwc.com Continued Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors Contacts Tax accounting leaders in major countries Country Name Telephone Email Australia Ronen Vexler +61 (2) 8266 0320 ronen.vexler@au.pwc.com Belgium Koen De Grave +32 (3) 259 3184 koen.de.grave@be.pwc.com Brazil Manuel Marinho +55 (11) 3674 3404 manuel.marinho@br.pwc.com Canada Spence McDonnell Nicole Inglis +1 (416) 869 2328 +1 (604) 806 7781 spence.n.mcdonnell@ca.pwc.com nicole.f.inglis@ca.pwc.com China Terry SY Tam +86 (21) 2323 1555 terry.sy.tam@cn.pwc.com France Marine Gril-Gadonneix +33 (1) 56 57 43 16 marine.gril-gadonneix@fr.landwellglobal.com Germany Heiko Schäfer +49 (69) 9585 6227 heiko.schaefer@de.pwc.com Hungary David Williams +36 (1) 461 9354 david.williams@hu.pwc.com Japan Masanori Kato +81 (3) 5251 2536 masanori.kato@jp.pwc.com Mexico Fausto Cantu +52 (81) 8152 2052 fausto.cantu@mx.pwc.com Netherlands Jurriaan Weerman +31 (0) 887 925 086 jurriaan.weerman@nl.pwc.com United Kingdom Andrew Wiggins +44 (0) 121 232 2065 andrew.wiggins@uk.pwc.com United States David Wiseman +1 (617) 530 7274 david.wiseman@us.pwc.com Global tax accounting services newsletter Introduction In this issue Home Subscription Accounting and reporting updates Recent and upcoming major tax law changes Primary authors Andrew Wiggins Steven Schaefer Global and UK Tax Accounting Services Leader +44 (0) 121 232 2065 andrew.wiggins@uk.pwc.com National Professional Services Group Partner +1 (973) 236 7064 steven.schaefer@us.pwc.com Katya Umanskaya Koen De Grave Global and US Tax Accounting Services Director +1 (312) 298 3013 ekaterina.umanskaya@us.pwc.com Belgium Tax Accounting Services Leader +32 (0) 3 259 31 84 koen.de.grave@be.pwc.com Tax accounting refresher Contacts and primary authors www.pwc.com Solicitation This document is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors. 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