In news- Around 136 countries have agreed a global deal to ensure big companies pay a minimum tax rate of 15% and make it harder for them to avoid taxation.
About the deal-
- The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has negotiated the deal.
- Though Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – 4 countries have not yet joined the agreement, the countries behind the accord together accounted for over 90% of the global economy.
- The minimum tax and other provisions aim to put an end to decades of tax competition between governments to attract foreign investment.
- The global minimum tax rate would apply to overseas profits of multinational firms with 750 million euros ($868 million) in sales globally.
- Governments could still set whatever local corporate tax rate they want, but if companies pay lower rates in a particular country, their home governments could “top up” their taxes to the 15% minimum, eliminating the advantage of shifting profits.
- Now the finance ministers from the G20 have to formally endorse the deal.
- The agreement calls for countries to bring it into law in 2022 so that it can take effect by 2023.
- Countries that have in recent years created national digital services taxes will have to repeal them.
Economic impact-
- The OECD has estimated the minimum tax will generate $150 billion in additional global tax revenues annually.
- The deal would encourage multinationals to repatriate capital to their country of headquarters, giving a boost to those economies.
Source: Indian Express
