Author Archives: Edward Tanenbaum

Edward Tanenbaum
Edward Tanenbaum is co-chair of the firm’s Federal & International Tax Group and a member of the firm’s Global Resources & Strategies Committee. Mr. Tanenbaum’s practice consists primarily of planning and structuring tax efficient solutions for cross-border business transactions and investments by foreign multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals.  Read More →

Old Law, New Tricks: Long-Awaited PFIC Guidance Proposed

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Our International Tax Group highlights new guidance on fundamental issues and points out a few sources of potential headache for taxpayers in response to the IRS and Treasury proposing the most significant regulations on passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) in nearly 30 years. Clarifications for the Income and Asset Tests Updates to the PFIC exceptions and look-through rules PFIC stock attribution Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

Hold Up, Partner: Proposed Regulations Address Withholding on Foreign Partner Dispositions

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Newly proposed regulations expand withholding on foreign partners transferring interests in partnerships who do business in the United States. Our International Tax Group evaluates the tightening reins on exceptions. Notice 2018-29 and other prior Section 1446(f) guidance Modified withholding exceptions in the new regulations Activation of previously suspended PTP and secondary withholding Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

International Tax Regulations: The Road Ahead – Key Practitioner Concerns and Government Responses

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Our International Tax Group reflects on a few concerns that have cropped up in the wake of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and deciphers the government’s responses. Foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) Global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) Base erosion and anti-abuse tax (BEAT) Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

FDII or Not: Section 250 FDII and GILTI Deduction Regulations Proposed

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The IRS and Treasury’s proposed regulations on the Section 250 deduction for foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) and global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) tackle several questions left unanswered by the 2017 tax law. Our International Tax Group highlights key takeaways from the complex, near-algebraic, proposed rules. Section 250 alphabet soup: FDII, GILTI, QBAI, DEI, FDDEI GILTI deduction allowed for Section 962 election taxpayers A few questionable answers for FDII issues Read the full advisory here.   [...]Read more

Finally! Final Regulations Published for Section 965 Transition Tax

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At long last, we have the first set of final regulations for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Our International Tax Group celebrates with a look at how the Treasury and IRS have clarified Section 965 and why taxpayers may need to act quickly. The de minimis threshold Exceptions to the anti-abuse rules Transfer agreements and the basis adjustment election Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

Another Chapter in the Effectively Connected Income Saga—IRS Issues Proposed Regulations on Sales of Partnership Interests by Foreign Partners

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The IRS gets granular on new Section 864(c)(8), created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Our International Tax Group examines the implications of the newest proposed regulations brought on by tax reform. How Section 864(c)(8) codifies longstanding IRS principles on effectively connected income The proposed regulations’ complex formula for deemed partnership asset sales Application to tiered partnerships and treaties Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

First Round of Proposed GILTI Regulations Avoids the Hard(er) Stuff

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The IRS’s opening salvo of proposed regulations under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s global intangible low-taxed income is as complex as you would think. Our International Tax Group cuts through the clutter to address the key takeaways: Computation of GILTI inclusion Anti-abuse rules GILTI guidance still to come Read the full advisory here.  [...]Read more

Back to School: FBAR Penalties and a Lesson in Statutory Construction

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There is a disconnect between the statute and the regulation that impose penalties for violating FBAR filing requirements. Our International Tax Group covers the bases of the three court cases that have the IRS batting just 1 for 3. The 2004 statute can impose a penalty greater than $100,000 The regulation, which wasn’t updated, limits penalties to $100,000 Two courts favor the regulation; one the statute Read the full advisory here.   [...]Read more

Foreign Tax Credit Refund Claim Denied as Untimely

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Our International Tax Group discusses a recent case that offers a cautionary tale on statutory limitations periods and shows how even seemingly straightforward provisions are open to interpretation. 10 years vs. three years vs. two years? When is a refund “attributable to” foreign taxes? What does it mean to “pay” taxes? Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

Trickle Down Guidance: Interim Notices Tackle Key International Reforms

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The IRS gives taxpayers a bit more direction on two provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act already in force. Our International Tax Group breaks down the new guidance for the repatriation tax and foreign partner withholding. Notice 2018-26 previews anti-avoidance and other rules under Section 965 Notice 2018-29 moves ahead with withholding for non-publicly traded partnerships under Section 1446(f) Read the full advisory here.  [...]Read more