Newsletter issue 2 | 2016

Dear Reader

          

Welcome to the IBSA Newsletter.


As we look ahead to our upcoming events around the world, we would like to remind you of the ways in which our Members can get involved in IBSA activity. There are opportunities to host events, participate in panel discussions and webinars across the globe – just contact the IBSA Team with suggestions or queries and we will be happy discuss them with you.


Tomorrow sees the first UK Branch discussion of 2016 take place at Farrer & Co in London. The theme for the evening is ‘Intangible Assets & Intellectual Property Valuation’, where we will be joined by panellists David Copping, Kelvin King and Chris McCleod, President of the ITMA. Using two case studies, our expert panellists will consider how companies can best utilise the value of their intellectual property on their balance sheet and structure international expansion.


New York, Tuesday 8th March – Join our North American Branch to discuss ‘How the current global environment is changing the way companies do business’. Experts from Squire Patton Boggs’ Washington DC Strategic Advocacy Public Policy Practice will share insight into the Washington outlook, including treaty developments and the prospects for tax reform, plus tax controversy and related trends, including recent EU tax-related actions.


Please note that Branch Events are free for IBSA members & their guests to attend. Non-members may attend one IBSA Branch Event free of charge but will be subject to a levy as determined by the IBSA for all subsequent Branch Event attendance as a non-member. Find out more information on membership options and how to join the IBSA.


The next IBSA workshop takes place in London on 12th April, on International Tax Disputes. Martin Powell, HMRC lead on Mutual Agreement Procedure policy and representative to the OECD FTA MAP forum will present alongside professional advisers and in-house practitioners. It is expected that the number of international tax disputes between two or more countries (often with a taxpayer caught in the middle) will increase significantly as a result of the OECD BEPS initiative. This half day workshop will provide practical, expert insight into what organisations are doing to prepare for the changes ahead and address how the professional community should protect its clients. Tickets for this event are £299 IBSA Members and £499 non-members, plus VAT. Register via Eventbrite or by emailing natalie.eudelle@istructuring.com


On Tuesday May 3rd we will be hosting a joint event with TMF Group on Compliance & Complexity in Business at their Amsterdam offices. This is the first time the IBSA will visit The Netherlands and look forward to seeing many of you there. Registration details for the event will follow shortly, but should you be interesting in participating please do get in touch.


Finally, plans are underway to launch a new Middle East & North Africa Branch in Dubai during October. Further details of the event will be provided in due course, but if you are interested in getting involved please contact natalie.eudelle@istructuring.com


Make sure you follow the Twitter feed @TheIBSA to keep up to date with all IBSA events and business structuring news.  


Kind Regards,

The IBSA Team

Upcoming events

Intangible Assets & Intellectual Property Valuation

Farrer & Co, London, 2 March, 17:45

Expert panellists from Farrer & Co, Valuation Consulting and the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys will lead a discussion touching on: how IP valuation will shape business structuring practices in the future; valuing IP (trademarks, trade secrets, copyright) vs valuing Intangible Assets (contractual intangibles); leveraging brand equity through IP; changes to the EU Trade Marks Directive and Regulation, and the EU Trade Secret Directive & Data Protection Changes; and ownership rights and intra-group licensing, taking account of the latest BEPS deliverables.


Register Now

How the Current Global Tax Environment is Changing the Way Companies do Business

Squire Patton Boggs, New York, 8 March, 18:00


Join our expert panelists from Squire Patton Boggs and moderator for the evening, Robert Kiggins, Partner, Culhane Meadows who will lead a discussion centring on: recent developments in BEPS implementation, including Country-by-Country Reporting; the Washington outlook, including treaty developments and the prospects for tax reform; and tax controversy and related trends, including recent EU tax-related actions


Register Now

Webinar: EU Freedoms & Expanding Business Across the Border

15 March, 12:15 GMT


Experts from One E Group will introduce the four freedoms and relevant case law using a practical example case study of a UK company expanding into Europe via Malta. Grant Thornton Malta will provide insight into the practical elements of the company as an inbound investor.


Register Now

Workshop

International Tax Disputes

Squire Patton Boggs, London, 12 April


It is expected that the number of international tax disputes between two or more countries (often with a taxpayer caught in the middle) will increase significantly as a result of the OECD BEPS initiative. Tax administrations may claim the existence of permanent establishments, or deny treaty claims, or simply claim a greater share of greater reporting obligations. Mutual agreement procedure has not yet been adequately developed to protect taxpayers from the prospect of expensive and lengthy disputes with tax administrations. What can be done to improve this? How to advise those caught up in these proceedings?


Join this IBSA workshop, which is privileged to have secured a representative of HMRC, along with leading dispute resolution professionals, and the tax director of a global industry leader, to examine these issues, share thoughts on what organisations are doing to prepare for the changes ahead and discuss how the professional community should protect its clients.

Pricing*

£299 - IBSA Members

£499 - Non Members

 

*All prices are exclusive of VAT, Terms & Conditions apply. More information »

For our Members

20% off IMF Courses

TOPICAL DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE ON TRANSFER PRICING

   

This unique Transfer Pricing distance learning course focuses on major Transfer Pricing issues and concerns that all professionals involved in the complex area of Transfer Pricing face, such as: BEPS, business restructuring and valuation, Transfer Pricing legislation and guidelines, documentation requirements per region/country, Transfer Pricing project and risk management, Transfer Pricing (pre-)controversy management, design and development of Transfer Pricing policies, types of intercompany transactions, intellectual property and customs.

   

This course starts each month and can also be studied online through digital learning (no additional costs).

    

   

Your offer

IBSA membership entitles you to a 20% discount on this course.

Full price: EUR 2,480

IBSA Member price: EUR 1,984



For more information please visit the IMF Academy site, or contact info@imfacademy.com, +31 (0) 40 2460220


DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE ON TRANSFER PRICING AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY


With the shift towards a more knowledge-based and service-oriented economy, intangible assets such as trademarks, brands, patents, know-how and technology, account for an increasing part of the business value. The accurate and complete taxation and valuation of Intellectual Property (IP) and other intangible assets is therefore essential.


This unique course on Transfer Pricing and Intellectual Property discusses intangibles from the complementary perspectives of Transfer Pricing and valuation.


This course, which can also be studied online, starts each month.



Your offer

IBSA membership entitles you to a 20% discount on this course.

Full price: EUR 1,584

IBSA Member price: EUR 1,984


For more information please visit the IMF Academy site, or contact info@imfacademy.com, +31 (0) 40 2460220


Members are encouraged to submit articles to the knowledge bank by contacting joanna.bott@istructuring.com

Until relatively recently most news articles concerning data leaving Western shores en-route to China related to alleged "state sponsored" hacking by murky groups badged with exotic names such as "Deep Panda" "Honker Union" and the more sinister "Unit 61398".

Why do business in Singapore?

Lisa Tan - Vistra

For ten consecutive years, the World Bank has ranked Singapore the easiest country to do business in – and it is clear to see why. Since gaining independence from Malaysia in 1965, Singapore has become a thriving international financial centre and is home to numerous leading global and local banks, as well as wealth management firms.

US: Can your company cash in on the modified R&D credit?

Christine Mellusi, Emily Baisley, Tyler Tedesco - WithumSmith+ Brown

Good news: start-up small businesses can now elect to apply a portion of the federal research credit against payroll tax instead of income tax.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) attempts to improve its relationship with taxpayers by issuing a new taxpayers' charter, called 'Your Charter'.

The Gulf Cooperation Council has come to an agreement on certain issues for a new 5% VAT system in the region by the end of 2018, with certain sectors and vital products exempt from tax.

EU & BEPS: Next Steps

Keith Brockman, Mars UK

The EU, now recognized as the accelerator of BEPS for its Member States, have issued a roadmap of priorities and objectives for the near future.

IStructuring Ltd (trading as the IBSA) is a private limited company, registered in England and Wales with registered Company Number 06638150. Business address: 133 Houndsditch, 5th Floor, London, EC3a 7BX, United Kingdom. Registered office: 44 Southampton Buildings, London WC2A 1AP, United Kingdom.