July 2016

Newsletter

Dear Lucie

           

As an unseasonable change in the weather produces a heatwave which is more at home in the Middle East than the United Kingdom, we all ponder on the political turmoil of the past two weeks.  Brexit, a new PM and a redundant labour leader leaves the country in a state of change. If the Queen coined the phrase ‘annus horribilis’, 2016 will be the ‘annus commutatus’; the year of change. And when things change, the most important requirement is to get the right information on what the changes can mean to you. 

           

It is now just over two years since I created the International Business Structuring Association, the IBSA, and in that time we have held more than forty events in the UK, North America, Asia and Continental Europe.  Our membership now spans over thirty countries and is continually increasing, although we are always keen to attract new members who can bolster the knowledge bank that we have developed within the IBSA.


This month’s articles reflect the range of knowledge available to members, from the Chinese take on Brexit, US regulations on whether debt should be reclassified as equity, to Cyprus double tax treaty agreement with Bahrain and OECD’s proposals for Comprehensive Global Reforms and Implementation BEPS measures.    

            

I would like to bring to your attention three events we are holding after the summer break, the first being on September 20th  where one of our corporate members, Howard Kennedy, is kindly hosting a UK discussion group entitled ‘Investing in UK real estate post Brexit – the UK is open for business‘.   On October 19th  we are launching our fifth major branch of the IBSA, the Middle East branch based in Dubai.  And on November 18th , we are hosting the IBSA Annual Conference, again at The Landmark Hotel, London, the theme of which is “Guiding the Development of SME clients”, which in a nutshell is what the IBSA is all about. 

           

I would like to thank all of those involved in the IBSA, whether individual or corporate members, for the interesting articles that they have provided (such as the ones in this month’s newsletter) as well as for the hosting facilities of the various discussion groups we have held worldwide.  I wish you all an enjoyable summer and look forward to catching up with you again in September.

           

Kind regards,

          

         

Roy Saunders 

Meeting

Investing in UK Real estate post Brexit - 'The UK is Open for Business'

Howard Kennedy, 20th September, 18:00

Join Anthony Hunt and Philip Vickery from the corporate real estate and tax teams at Howard Kennedy, Dmitry Zapol of IFS Consultants, Janet Paterson of Charter Tax Consulting and  Simon Aldous,  Director of Valuations at Savills, who will be discussing current and impending issues for overseas investors into the UK, with a particular focus on tax aspects including Business Investment Relief,  investment structures, and trends and factors affecting the UK commercial and residential real estate market in the light of Brexit.

      

Networking drinks follow the discussion and offer the opportunity to meet fellow members and their guests.


Conference

The IBSA has been very proud of the quality of speakers and topics at its annual event, the IBSA November conference.  This year it will be held again at the Landmark hotel, London.  The theme of the conference is how a SME develops its international business with the help of those professional advisers engaged in the various issues which they will face – from intellectual property issues to financing arrangements and even the creation of a brand manifesto and digital strategy that will be required in today’s markets.

 

Expert speakers reflect the range of disciplines which the IBSA recognises are essential for guiding the development of the SME, and are from the US, UK and several Continental European jurisdictions. We have included VAT experts to advise on the pitfalls the SME may face and transactional lawyers to help the SME develop joint ventures, franchising and licensing arrangements with overseas third parties.  Roy and others members will cover the international tax issues they will face, as well as considering potential exit strategies for the entrepreneur behind the SME.

  

The programme is shown on our website.  

       

Please visit our website for a programme of the day's event.  There are 6 hrs of CPD accreditation for this conference.

Pricing*

£400 - IBSA Members

£600 - Non Members

         

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

Annual Members' Dinner

Members' Dinner @ Langan's Brasserie, London

Following the great success of last year's Annual Dinner, we would be delighted if you could join us this year on Thursday 17th November, the evening before our Annual IBSA Conference.

 

The dinner offers the opportunity for all IBSA members to meet in an informal and relaxed setting over good food and wine - what could be better?

 

To book a place, just click on the link below.  You may like to invite a guest - places are £100 (incl) per person.


Members are encouraged to submit articles to the knowledge bank by contacting Lucie.Hoyland@istructuring.com

US REGULATIONS ON WHETHER DEBT SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS EQUITY

Bernhard Gilbey, Squire Patton Boggs

On July 14, 2016, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) held a public hearing on recently proposed regulations under section 385 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (Code) addressing the treatment of certain interests in corporations as stock or indebtedness (Proposed Regulations). Read more >>

OECD’S PROPOSALS FOR COMPREHENSIVE GLOBAL REFORMS AND IMPLEMENTATION BEPS MEASURES IS WELL UNDERWAY

Charles Savva, Savva Associates

Action 15 of the Action Plan on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) calling for the development of a multilateral instrument to modify bilateral tax treaties and for the implementation of measures was approved by the Committee of Fiscal Affairs and has been endorsed by G20 leaders, concluding that it was not only feasible but desirable and that further negotiations for the instrument should be assembled quickly. Read more >>

THE VIEW FROM SHANGHAI: WHAT DOES CHINA MAKE OF BREXIT?

Sam Critchley, ILS World

Amidst the fallout of the United Kingdoms’ referendum vote to leave the European Union, the immediate reaction in China was undeniably one of general pessimism. Both in the state media and throughout the general public’s social media response, the overriding opinion was that the decision was ill-judged and that the impact would be problematic for the economy. A closer inspection of the issues posed reveals a more nuanced situation, however, while there are also a number of reasons to be optimistic about future relations between China and the UK. Read more >>

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


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.