Resumen de Profit allocation within MNEs in light of the ongoing digital debate on Pillar I: a "2020 Compromise"?
Vikram Chand, Alessandro Turina, Louis Ballivet
The current profit allocation framework, i.e. the arm's length standard, is mainly based on a facts and circumstances analysis. In particular, depending on the situation, facts and circumstances-related allocation keys are used to allocate profits among various entities within a multinational enterprise (MNE). Nevertheless, there are situations wherein predetermined formulas and/or allocation keys are also used within the standard. The purpose of this article is to show that predetermined approaches will quickly infiltrate the profit allocation framework, although a facts and circumstances analysis and/or allocation keys will continue to be used. The authors support this proposition by analysing the current debate on profit allocation with respect to the digitalization of the economy. They conclude that the use of predetermined approaches is inevitable if the objective is to develop a simplified solution with respect to the profit allocation debate made in the context of Pillar 1 of the digital debate. A simplified solution would be to apply a formulary approach at the MNE group level and an arm's length principle (ALP) approach at a separate-entity level. More specifically, a predetermined formulary approach in the form of a simplified but modified residual profit split method could be applied at the MNE group level to reallocate residual profits (the so-called Amount A). Simultaneously, a predetermined formula based on the arm's length approach could be applied at a separate-entity level, that is, to routine distribution and/or marketing activities (the so-called Amount B). This latter approach will be complemented and backed up by a facts and circumstances arm's length analysis (the so-called Amount C, which, in some respects, would seem to be more of a process, rather than a separate amount). In this context, the authors address their view on a few key questions that arise in the "new" profit allocation context for Amounts A, B and C. For Amount A, the authors express their view on determination of the MNE tax base, determination of losses, revenue sourcing rules, information reporting, collection of taxes as well as stabilization of the MNE group approach. For Amount B, they provide their view on issues such as the determination of the scope of application, the determination of the fixed return, its legal qualification and its possible stabilization. The need to introduce a more robust dispute resolution institutional framework is also addressed with specific regard to Amount C. Finally, they analyse the impact of the new profit allocation mechanisms on selected business models used by MNEs. It should be noted that the present contribution does not address, as far as necessary to provide adequate context, the normative debate on a new scope, new nexus or new relief rules but rather focuses on the challenges arising from profit allocation.
