International Taxation in the Digital Era comprises a selection of research papers presented at ITRAF’s Annual Conference in 2019. Contributed by authors from academia and practicing tax professionals, the volume is divided into two parts focusing on the digital economy, its form and taxation; and taxation of capital and its avoidance. In the first part, the volume explores the concept of digital economy, analyses the existing practices and issues of taxation of digital economy, and includes recommendations to effectively address the challenges relating to taxation posed by emerging technologies.
In the second part, the contributors delve into the myriad facets of taxation of capital including the implications of India’s General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR), capital gains tax in the post BEPS era, the place of effective management (POEM), and the legislative over-activism experienced in India. Readers across jurisdictions will benefit from the cross-country experience on the subject of tax avoidance that is delineated in the volume. Angel Tax as an investment disincentive in India has been examined in detail along with its consequences for startup entities. The volume closes with a detailed discussion on the underlying shifts in international taxation with a view to finding a solution to taxation issues across nations owing to the fast-paced changes in the economies driven by technological advancements.
With the pivotal role that Action 1 of the OECD BEPS Project is assuming today in the international taxation scenario, this volume provides an insight into the lacunae in the prevailing systems in taxing digital economy, the possible solutions to move forward keeping in view concerns arising from the likely conflict in the domestic law and internationally agreed principles. A global accord on the subject may prove to be difficult, but it may be the solution that will endure.
Parthasarathi Shome is Chairman, ITRAF, Bengaluru, and Senior Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics. He was the Adviser (Minister of State) to the Finance Minister of India and Chairman of the Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC).
Dr Shome has held various positions including Chief Economist, UK Revenue and Customs; Chief of Tax Policy, IMF; and Professor, American University, Washington DC. He is also the recipient of Brazil’s highest civilian honour, Commander of the Order of the Southern Cross, for his contributions to Brazilian fiscal reform. He has authored several books with leading publishing companies and contributed to scholarly research papers in renowned Indian and international journals. He is a Member of the Board of international fiscal organisations based in The Hague, London and Washington DC.
