Category Archives: International Tax Advisory

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

▪ Written by and
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

Altera Redux – The Ninth Circuit Once Again Holds in Favor of the IRS

▪ Written by , and
Last week, our International Tax Group examines the Ninth Circuit repeating itself in reversing a unanimous Tax Court holding on the validity of the Treasury's regulations under Section 482. We examine the reconstituted  panel's significant decisions, which in many ways follow the first panel's conclusions. Altera v. Commissioner, Parts 1, 2, and now, 3 What is the meaning of “commensurate with income”? What does this case say about previous standards under Chevron? Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

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

▪ Written by and
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

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

▪ Written by , and
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

▪ Written by , and
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

Plot Twist – Proposed Regulations Mean Section 956 Did Not Actually Survive Tax Reform Intact

▪ Written by , and
Our International Tax Group takes stock of new proposed regulations that try to keep Section 956 relevant despite the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Many were left scratching their heads “A result directly at odds with the manifest purpose of Section 956” Impact of the proposed regulations Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

State of Uncertainty: GILTI Considerations for Individuals

▪ Written by and
Our International Tax Group explores the hidden terrain for individuals found in the new tax on global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI). The Section 250 deduction The renewed importance of Section 962 Beware of the C-corp. lobster pot Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more

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

▪ Written by and
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

▪ Written by and
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

Cryptocurrencies and Investment Funds – Tax Uncertainty Abounds

▪ Written by
The IRS has announced its intent to beef up enforcement efforts against tax noncompliance relating to transactions in cryptocurrencies. Despite this effort, various tax aspects of cryptocurrency transactions remain uncertain. Our International Tax and Blockchain & Distributed Ledger groups team up to explain how this uncertainty affects cryptocurrency funds. Cryptocurrencies are treated as property, not currency, for tax purposes (but the certainty largely ends there) Can cryptocurrencies and their derivatives qualify as commodities for tax purposes? Read the full advisory here. [...]Read more