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Corporate tax

A corporate tax, also called corporation tax or company tax, is a type of direct tax levied on the income or capital of corporations and other similar legal entities. The tax is usually imposed at the national level, but it may also be imposed at state or local levels in some countries. Corporate taxes may be referred to as income tax or capital tax, depending on the nature of the tax.

The purpose of corporate tax is to generate revenue for the government by taxing the profits earned by corporations. The tax rate varies from country to country and is usually calculated as a percentage of the corporation's net income or capital. Corporate tax rates may also differ for domestic and foreign corporations.

Many countries have tax laws that require corporations to pay taxes on their worldwide income, regardless of where the income is earned. However, some countries have territorial tax systems, which only require corporations to pay taxes on income earned within the country's borders.

A country's corporate tax may apply to:

Company income subject to tax is often determined much like taxable income for individual taxpayers. Generally, the tax is imposed on net profits. In some jurisdictions, rules for taxing companies may differ significantly from rules for taxing individuals. Certain corporate acts or types of entities may be exempt from tax.

The incidence of corporate taxation is a subject of significant debate among economists and policymakers. Evidence suggests that some portion of the corporate tax falls on owners of capital, workers, and shareholders, but the ultimate incidence of the tax is an unresolved question.[1]

Economics edit

Economists disagree as to how much of the burden of the corporate tax falls on owners, workers, consumers, and landowners, and how the corporate tax affects economic growth and economic inequality.[2] More of the burden probably falls on capital in large open economies such as the US.[3] Some studies place the burden more on labor.[4][5][6] According to one study: "Regression analysis shows that a one-percentage-point increase in the marginal state corporate tax rate reduces wages 0.14 to 0.36 percent."[7] There have been other studies.[8][9][10][11][12][13] According to the Adam Smith Institute, "Clausing (2012), Gravelle (2010) and Auerbach (2005), the three best reviews we found, basically conclude that most of the tax falls on capital, not labour."

A 2022 meta-analysis found that the impact of corporate taxes on economic growth was exaggerated and that it could not be ruled out that the impact of corporate taxation on economic growth was zero.[14]

Legal framework edit

A corporate tax is a tax imposed on the net profit of a corporation that is taxed at the entity level in a particular jurisdiction. Net profit for corporate tax is generally the financial statement net profit with modifications, and may be defined in great detail within each country's tax system. Such taxes may include income or other taxes. The tax systems of most countries impose an income tax at the entity level on the certain type(s) of entities (company or corporation). The rate of tax varies by jurisdiction. The tax may have an alternative base, such as assets, payroll, or income computed in an alternative manner.

Most countries exempt certain types of corporate events or transactions from income tax. For example, events related to the formation or reorganization of the corporation, which are treated as capital costs. In addition, most systems provide specific rules for taxation of the entity and/or its members upon winding up or dissolution of the entity.

In systems where financing costs are allowed as reductions of the tax base (tax deductions), rules may apply that differentiate between classes of member-provided financing. In such systems, items characterized as interest may be deductible, perhaps subject to limitations, while items characterized as dividends are not. Some systems limit deductions based on simple formulas, such as a debt-to-equity ratio, while other systems have more complex rules.

Some systems provide a mechanism whereby groups of related corporations may obtain benefit from losses, credits, or other items of all members within the group. Mechanisms include combined or consolidated returns as well as group relief (direct benefit from items of another member).

Many systems additionally tax shareholders of those entities on dividends or other distributions by the corporation. A few systems provide for partial integration of entity and member taxation. This may be accomplished by "imputation systems" or franking credits. In the past, mechanisms have existed for advance payment of member tax by corporations, with such payment offsetting entity level tax.

Many systems (particularly sub-country level systems) impose a tax on particular corporate attributes. Such non-income taxes may be based on capital stock issued or authorized (either by number of shares or value), total equity, net capital, or other measures unique to corporations.

Corporations, like other entities, may be subject to withholding tax obligations upon making certain varieties of payments to others. These obligations are generally not the tax of the corporation, but the system may impose penalties on the corporation or its officers or employees for failing to withhold and pay over such taxes. A company has been defined as a juristic person having an independent and separate existence from its shareholders. Income of the company is computed and assessed separately in the hands of the company. In certain cases, distributions from the company to its shareholders as dividends are taxed as income to the shareholders.

Corporations property tax, payroll tax, withholding tax, excise tax, customs duties, value added tax, and other common taxes, are generally not referred to as "corporate tax".

Definition of corporation edit

Characterization as a corporation for tax purposes is based on the form of organization, with the exception of United States Federal[15] and most states income taxes, under which an entity may elect to be treated as a corporation and taxed at the entity level or taxed only at the member level.[16] See Limited liability company, Partnership taxation, S corporation, Sole proprietorship.

Types edit

Most jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom[17] and the United States,[16] tax corporations on their income. The United States taxes most types of corporate income at 21%.[16]

The United States taxes corporations under the same framework of tax law as individuals, with differences related to the inherent natures of corporations and individuals or unincorporated entities. For example, individuals are not formed, amalgamated, or acquired, and corporations do not incur medical expenses except by way of compensating individuals.[18]

Most systems tax both domestic and foreign corporations. Often, domestic corporations are taxed on worldwide income while foreign corporations are taxed only on income from sources within the jurisdiction.

Taxable income edit

The United States defines taxable income for a corporation as all gross income, i.e. sales plus other income minus cost of goods sold and tax exempt income less allowable tax deductions, without the allowance of the standard deduction applicable to individuals.[19]

The United States' system requires that differences in principles for recognizing income and deductions differing from financial accounting principles like the timing of income or deduction, tax exemption for certain income, and disallowance or limitation of certain tax deductions be disclosed in considerable detail for non-small corporations on Schedule M-3 to Form 1120.[20]

The United States taxes resident corporations, i.e. those organized within the country, on their worldwide income, and nonresident, foreign corporations only on their income from sources within the country.[21] Hong Kong taxes resident and nonresident corporations only on income from sources within the country.[22]

Rates edit

 
Share of U.S. Federal Revenue from Different Tax Sources (Individual, Payroll, and Corporate) 1950–2010
Comparison of Corporate Income Taxes
As a Percentage of GDP
For OECD Countries, 2008[23]
Country Tax/GDP Country Tax/GDP
Norway 12.5 Switzerland 3.3
Australia 5.9 Netherlands 3.2
Luxembourg 5.1 Slovakia 3.1
New Zealand 4.4 Sweden 3.0
Czech Republic 4.2 France 2.9
South Korea 4.2 Ireland 2.8
Japan 3.9 Spain 2.8
Italy 3.7 Poland 2.7
Portugal 3.6 Hungary 2.6
UK 3.6 Austria 2.5
Finland 3.5 Greece 2.5
Israel 3.5 Slovenia 2.5
OECD avg. 3.5 Germany 1.9
Denmark 3.4 Iceland 1.9
Belgium 3.3 Turkey 1.8
Canada 3.3 US 1.8

Corporate tax rates generally are the same for differing types of income, yet the US graduated its tax rate system where corporations with lower levels of income pay a lower rate of tax, with rates varying from 15% on the first $50,000 of income to 35% on incomes over $10,000,000, with phase-outs.[24]

The corporate income tax rates differ between US states and range from 2.5% to 11.5%.[25]

The Canadian system imposes tax at different rates for different types of corporations, allowing lower rates for some smaller corporations.[26]

Tax rates vary by jurisdiction and some countries have sub-country level jurisdictions like provinces, cantons, prefectures, cities, or other that also impose corporate income tax like Canada, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and the United States.[27] Some jurisdictions impose tax at a different rate on an alternative tax base.

 
General government revenue, in % of GDP, from Corporate Income Taxes. For this data, the variance of GDP per capita with purchasing power parity (PPP) is explained in 2 % by tax revenue. Years 2014-17.

Examples of corporate tax rates for a few English-speaking countries include:

  • Australia: 28.5%, however some specialized entities are taxed at lower rates.[28]
  • Canada: Federal 11%, or Federal 15% plus provincial 1% to 16%. The rates are additive.[29]
  • Hong Kong: 16.5%[22]
  • Ireland: 12.5% on trading (business) income, and 25% on non-trading income.[30]
  • New Zealand: 28%
  • Singapore: 17% from 2010, however a partial exemption scheme may apply to new companies.[31]
  • United Kingdom: 19% for 2017–2022.[32]
  • United States: Federal 21%.[33] States: 0% to 10%, deductible in computing Federal taxable income. Some cities: up to 9%, deductible in computing Federal taxable income. The Federal Alternative Minimum Tax of 20% is imposed on regular taxable income with adjustments.

International corporate tax rates edit

Corporate tax rates vary widely by country, leading some corporations to shield earnings within offshore subsidiaries or to redomicile within countries with lower tax rates.

In comparing national corporate tax rates one should also take into account the taxes on dividends paid to shareholders. For example, the overall U.S. tax on corporate profits of 35% is less than or similar to that of European countries such as Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, which have lower corporate tax rates but higher taxes on dividends paid to shareholders.[34]

Corporate tax rates across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are shown in the table.

Country Corporate Income Tax rate (2019)[35] Dividend Tax rate (2019)[35] Integrated Corporate Tax rate (2019)[35]
  Ireland 12.5% 51.0% 57.1%
  South Korea 27.5% 40.3% 56.7%
  Canada 26.8% 39.3% 55.6%
  France 32.0% 34.0% 55.1%
  Denmark 22.0% 42.0% 54.8%
  Belgium 29.6% 30.0% 50.7%
  Portugal 31.5% 28.0% 50.7%
  United Kingdom 19.0% 38.1% 49.9%
  Israel 23.0% 33.0% 48.4%
  Germany 29.9% 26.4% 48.4%
  United States 21.0% 29.3% 47.6%
  Australia 30.0% 24.3% 47.0%
  Norway 22.0% 31.7% 46.7%
  Austria 25.0% 27.5% 45.6%
  Sweden 21.4% 30.0% 45.0%
  Japan 29.7% 20.3% 44.0%
  Italy 24.0% 26.0% 43.8%
  Netherlands 25.0% 25.0% 43.8%
  Finland 20.0% 28.9% 43.1%
  Spain 25.0% 23.0% 42.3%
  Mexico 30.0% 17.1% 42.0%
  Luxembourg 24.9% 21.0% 40.7%
  Slovenia 19.0% 25.0% 39.3%
  Greece 28.0% 15.0% 38.8%
   Switzerland 21.1% 21.1% 37.8%
  Iceland 20.0% 22.0% 37.6%
  Chile 25.0% 13.3% 35.0%
  Turkey 22.0% 17.5% 35.0%
  Poland 19.0% 19.0% 34.4%
  New Zealand 28.0% 6.9% 33.0%
  Czech Republic 19.0% 15.0% 31.2%
  Lithuania 15.0% 15.0% 27.8%
  Slovak Republic 21.0% 7.0% 26.5%
  Hungary 9.0% 15.0% 22.7%
  Estonia 20.0% 0.0% 20.0%
  Latvia 20.0% 0.0% 20.0%

The corporate tax rates in other jurisdictions include:

Country Corporate Income Tax rate Dividend Tax rate Integrated Corporate Tax rate
  Bulgaria 10.0% 5.0% 14.5%
  India 22% (2019)
15% (for newly incorporated manufacturing companies)[36]
  Russia 20% (2015)[37]
  Singapore 17%, with significant exemptions for resident companies (2015)[38]
  United Arab Emirates 0 percent for taxable income up to AED 375,000 (December, 2022)

[39]

9 percent for taxable income above AED 375,000 (December, 2022)

[40]

In October 2021 some 136 countries agreed to enforce a corporate tax rate of at least 15% from 2023 after the talks on a minimum rate led by OECD for a decade.[41]

Distribution of earnings edit

Most systems that tax corporations also impose income tax on shareholders of corporations when earnings are distributed.[42] Such distribution of earnings is generally referred to as a dividend. The tax may be at reduced rates. For example, the United States provides for reduced amounts of tax on dividends received by individuals and by corporations.[43]

The company law of some jurisdictions prevents corporations from distributing amounts to shareholders except as distribution of earnings. Such earnings may be determined under company law principles or tax principles. In such jurisdictions, exceptions are usually provided with respect to distribution of shares of the company, for winding up, and in limited other situations.

Other jurisdictions treat distributions as distributions of earnings taxable to shareholders if earnings are available to be distributed, but do not prohibit distributions in excess of earnings. For example, under the United States system each corporation must maintain a calculation of its earnings and profits (a tax concept similar to retained earnings).[44] A distribution to a shareholder is considered to be from earnings and profits to the extent thereof unless an exception applies.[45] The United States provides reduced tax on dividend income of both corporations and individuals.

Other jurisdictions provide corporations a means of designating, within limits, whether a distribution is a distribution of earnings taxable to the shareholder or a return of capital.

Example edit

The following illustrates the dual level of tax concept:

Widget Corp earns 100 of profits before tax in each of years 1 and 2. It distributes all the earnings in year 3, when it has no profits. Jim owns all of Widget Corp. The tax rate in the residence jurisdiction of Jim and Widget Corp is 30%.

Year 1 Cumulative Pre-tax income Taxes
Taxable income 100 100
Tax 30 30  
Net after tax 70
Jim's income & tax 0
Year 2
Taxable income 100 200
Tax 30 60  
Net after tax 70
Jim's income & tax 0
Year 3:
Distribution 140
Jim's tax 42 102  
Net after Jim's tax 98
Totals 200 102  
51%

Other corporate events edit

Many systems provide that certain corporate events are not taxable to corporations or shareholders. Significant restrictions and special rules often apply. The rules related to such transactions are often quite complex.

Formation edit

Most systems treat the formation of a corporation by a controlling corporate shareholder as a nontaxable event. Many systems, including the United States and Canada, extend this tax free treatment to the formation of a corporation by any group of shareholders in control of the corporation.[46] Generally, in tax free formations the tax attributes of assets and liabilities are transferred to the new corporation along with such assets and liabilities.

Example: John and Mary are United States residents who operate a business. They decide to incorporate for business reasons. They transfer the assets of the business to Newco, a newly formed Delaware corporation of which they are the sole shareholders, subject to accrued liabilities of the business in exchange solely for common shares of Newco. Under United States principles, this transfer does not cause tax to John, Mary, or Newco. If on the other hand Newco also assumes a bank loan in excess of the basis of the assets transferred less the accrued liabilities, John and Mary will recognize taxable gain for such excess.[47]

Acquisitions edit

Corporations may merge or acquire other corporations in a manner a particular tax system treats as nontaxable to either of the corporations and/or to their shareholders. Generally, significant restrictions apply if tax free treatment is to be obtained.[48] For example, Bigco acquires all of the shares of Smallco from Smallco shareholders in exchange solely for Bigco shares. This acquisition is not taxable to Smallco or its shareholders under U.S. or Canadian tax law if certain requirements are met, even if Smallco is then liquidated into or merged or amalgamated with Bigco.

Reorganizations edit

In addition, corporations may change key aspects of their legal identity, capitalization, or structure in a tax free manner under most systems. Examples of reorganizations that may be tax free include mergers, amalgamations, liquidations of subsidiaries, share for share exchanges, exchanges of shares for assets, changes in form or place of organization, and recapitalizations.[49]

Interest deduction limitations edit

Most jurisdictions allow a tax deduction for interest expense incurred by a corporation in carrying out its trading activities. Where such interest is paid to related parties, such deduction may be limited. Without such limitation, owners could structure financing of the corporation in a manner that would provide for a tax deduction for much of the profits, potentially without changing the tax on shareholders. For example, assume a corporation earns profits of 100 before interest expense and would normally distribute 50 to shareholders. If the corporation is structured so that deductible interest of 50 is payable to the shareholders, it will cut its tax to half the amount due if it merely paid a dividend.

A common form of limitation is to limit the deduction for interest paid to related parties to interest charged at arm's length rates on debt not exceeding a certain portion of the equity of the paying corporation. For example, interest paid on related party debt in excess of three times equity may not be deductible in computing taxable income.

The United States, United Kingdom, and French tax systems apply a more complex set of tests to limit deductions. Under the U.S. system, related party interest expense in excess of 50% of cash flow is generally not currently deductible, with the excess potentially deductible in future years.[50]

The classification of instruments as debt on which interest is deductible or as equity with respect to which distributions are not deductible can be complex in some systems.[51]

Foreign corporation branches edit

Most jurisdictions tax foreign corporations differently from domestic corporations.[52] No international laws limit the ability of a country to tax its nationals and residents (individuals and entities). However, treaties and practicality impose limits on taxation of those outside its borders, even on income from sources within the country.

Most jurisdictions tax foreign corporations on business income within the jurisdiction when earned through a branch or permanent establishment in the jurisdiction. This tax may be imposed at the same rate as the tax on business income of a resident corporation or at a different rate.[53]

Upon payment of dividends, corporations are generally subject to withholding tax only by their country of incorporation. Many countries impose a branch profits tax on foreign corporations to prevent the advantage the absence of dividend withholding tax would otherwise provide to foreign corporations. This tax may be imposed at the time profits are earned by the branch or at the time they are remitted or deemed remitted outside the country.[54]

Branches of foreign corporations may not be entitled to all of the same deductions as domestic corporations. Some jurisdictions do not recognize inter-branch payments as actual payments, and income or deductions arising from such inter-branch payments are disregarded.[55] Some jurisdictions impose express limits on tax deductions of branches. Commonly limited deductions include management fees and interest.

Nathan M. Jenson argues that low corporate tax rates are a minor determinate of a multinational company when setting up their headquarters in a country. Nathan M. Jenson: Sinha, S.S. 2008, "Can India Adopt Strategic Flexibility Like China Did?", Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 9, no. 2/3, pp. 1.

Losses edit

Most jurisdictions allow interperiod allocation or deduction of losses in some manner for corporations, even where such deduction is not allowed for individuals. A few jurisdictions allow losses (usually defined as negative taxable income) to be deducted by revising or amending prior year taxable income.[56] Most jurisdictions allow such deductions only in subsequent periods. Some jurisdictions impose time limitations as to when loss deductions may be utilized.

Groups of companies edit

Several jurisdictions provide a mechanism whereby losses or tax credits of one corporation may be used by another corporation where both corporations are commonly controlled (together, a group). In the United States and Netherlands, among others, this is accomplished by filing a single tax return including the income and loss of each group member. This is referred to as a consolidated return in the United States and as a fiscal unity in the Netherlands. In the United Kingdom, this is accomplished directly on a pairwise basis called group relief. Losses of one group member company may be "surrendered" to another group member company, and the latter company may deduct the loss against profits.

The United States has extensive regulations dealing with consolidated returns.[57] One such rule requires matching of income and deductions on intercompany transactions within the group by use of "deferred intercompany transaction" rules.

In addition, a few systems provide a tax exemption for dividend income received by corporations. The Netherlands system provides a "participation exception" to taxation for corporations owning more than 25% of the dividend paying corporation.

Transfer pricing edit

A key issue in corporate tax is the setting of prices charged by related parties for goods, services or the use of property. Many jurisdictions have guidelines on transfer pricing which allow tax authorities to adjust transfer prices used. Such adjustments may apply in both an international and a domestic context.

Taxation of shareholders edit

Most income tax systems levy tax on the corporation and, upon distribution of earnings (dividends), on the shareholder. This results in a dual level of tax. Most systems require that income tax be withheld on distribution of dividends to foreign shareholders, and some also require withholding of tax on distributions to domestic shareholders. The rate of such withholding tax may be reduced for a shareholder under a tax treaty.

Some systems tax some or all dividend income at lower rates than other income. The United States has historically provided a dividends received deduction to corporations with respect to dividends from other corporations in which the recipient owns more than 10% of the shares. For tax years 2004–2010, the United States also has imposed a reduced rate of taxation on dividends received by individuals.[58]

Some systems currently attempt or in the past have attempted to integrate taxation of the corporation with taxation of shareholders to mitigate the dual level of taxation. As a current example, Australia provides for a "franking credit" as a benefit to shareholders. When an Australian company pays a dividend to a domestic shareholder, it reports the dividend as well as a notional tax credit amount. The shareholder utilizes this notional credit to offset shareholder level income tax.[citation needed]

A previous system was utilised in the United Kingdom, called the advance corporation tax (ACT). When a company paid a dividend, it was required to pay an amount of ACT, which it then used to offset its own taxes. The ACT was included in income by the shareholder resident in the United Kingdom or certain treaty countries, and treated as a payment of tax by the shareholder. To the extent that deemed tax payment exceeded taxes otherwise due, it was refundable to the shareholder.

Alternative tax bases edit

Many jurisdictions incorporate some sort of alternative tax computation. These computations may be based on assets, capital, wages, or some alternative measure of taxable income. Often the alternative tax functions as a minimum tax.

United States federal income tax incorporates an alternative minimum tax. This tax is computed at a lower tax rate (20% for corporations), and imposed based on a modified version of taxable income. Modifications include longer depreciation lives assets under MACRS, adjustments related to costs of developing natural resources, and an addback of certain tax exempt interest. The U.S. state of Michigan previously taxed businesses on an alternative base that did not allow compensation of employees as a tax deduction and allowed full deduction of the cost of production assets upon acquisition.

Some jurisdictions, such as Swiss cantons and certain states within the United States, impose taxes based on capital. These may be based on total equity per audited financial statements,[59] a computed amount of assets less liabilities[60] or quantity of shares outstanding.[61] In some jurisdictions, capital based taxes are imposed in addition to the income tax.[60] In other jurisdictions, the capital taxes function as alternative taxes.

Mexico imposes an alternative tax on corporations, the IETU.[citation needed] The tax rate is lower than the regular rate, and there are adjustments for salaries and wages, interest and royalties, and depreciable assets.

Tax returns edit

Most systems require that corporations file an annual income tax return.[62] Some systems (such as the Canadian, United Kingdom and United States systems) require that taxpayers self assess tax on the tax return.[63] Other systems provide that the government must make an assessment for tax to be due.[citation needed] Some systems require certification of tax returns in some manner by accountants licensed to practice in the jurisdiction, often the company's auditors.[64]

Tax returns can be fairly simple or quite complex. The systems requiring simple returns often base taxable income on financial statement profits with few adjustments, and may require that audited financial statements be attached to the return.[65] Returns for such systems generally require that the relevant financial statements be attached to a simple adjustment schedule. By contrast, United States corporate tax returns require both computation of taxable income from components thereof and reconciliation of taxable income to financial statement income.

Many systems require forms or schedules supporting particular items on the main form. Some of these schedules may be incorporated into the main form. For example, the Canadian corporate return, Form T-2, an eight-page form, incorporates some detail schedules but has nearly 50 additional schedules that may be required.

Some systems have different returns for different types of corporations or corporations engaged in specialized businesses. The United States has 13 variations on the basic Form 1120[66] for S corporations, insurance companies, Domestic international sales corporations, foreign corporations, and other entities. The structure of the forms and imbedded schedules vary by type of form.

Preparation of non-simple corporate tax returns can be time consuming. For example, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service states in the instructions for Form 1120 that the average time needed to complete form is over 56 hours, not including record keeping time and required attachments.

Tax return due dates vary by jurisdiction, fiscal or tax year, and type of entity.[67] In self-assessment systems, payment of taxes is generally due no later than the normal due date, though advance tax payments may be required.[68] Canadian corporations must pay estimated taxes monthly.[69] In each case, final payment is due with the corporation tax return.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Auerbach, Alan J. (January 2006). "Who Bears the Corporate Tax? A Review of What We Know". Tax Policy and the Economy. 20: 1–40. doi:10.1086/tpe.20.20061903. ISSN 0892-8649. S2CID 6156389.
  2. ^ Suárez Serrato, Juan Carlos; Zidar, Owen (2017-11-02). "Who benefits from corporate tax cuts? Evidence from local US labour markets". Microeconomic Insights.
  3. ^ Gordon, Stephen (2017-12-04). "Stephen Gordon: Corporate tax cuts won't work in the U.S. The same way they did here | National Post". National Post.
  4. ^ "International Burdens of the Corporate Income Tax" (PDF). cbo.gov.
  5. ^ Liu, Li (2011). The economic effects of corporate income taxation (PhD Thesis). Rutgers University - Graduate School - New Brunswick. doi:10.7282/T3765DZR.
  6. ^ Felix, R. Alison; Hines, R. Alison (2009). "Corporate Taxes and Union Wages in the United States". National Bureau of Economic Research. doi:10.3386/w15263. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ Felix, R Alison (2009). "Do State Corporate Income Taxes Reduce Wages?" (PDF). Economic Review. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. 94 (2): 77–102.
  8. ^ Desai, Mihir A.; Foley, C. Fritz; Hines, James R. "Labor and Capital Shares of the Corporate Tax Burden: International Evidence". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.364.4867. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. ^ "DRAFT" (PDF). www.budget.gov.ie.
  10. ^ Felix, R. Alison (2007). "Passing the burden: Corporate tax incidence in open economies". LIS Working Paper Series. hdl:10419/95465.
  11. ^ "The incidence of corporate taxation and its implications for tax progressivity". 2017-10-10.
  12. ^ Arulampalam, Wiji; Devereux, Michael P.; Maffini, Giorgia (August 2012). "The direct incidence of corporate income tax on wages". European Economic Review. 56 (6): 1038–1054. doi:10.1016/j.euroecorev.2012.03.003. S2CID 1584850.
  13. ^ Clausing, Kimberly A. (October 16, 2012). "Who Pays the Corporate Tax in a Global Economy?". National Tax Journal. 66 (1). SSRN 2213581.
  14. ^ Gechert, Sebastian; Heimberger, Philipp (2022). "Do corporate tax cuts boost economic growth?". European Economic Review. 147: 104157. doi:10.1016/j.euroecorev.2022.104157. ISSN 0014-2921.
  15. ^ See United States tax regulations at 26 CFR 301.7701-2 and -3.
  16. ^ a b c 26 USC 11.
  17. ^ United Kingdom Income and Corporation Taxes Act of 1988 as amended (UK ICTA88) section 6
  18. ^ United States itemized deductions for individuals and special deductions for corporations.
  19. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 63 - Taxable income defined". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  20. ^ "M-3 to Form 1120" (PDF). United States Internal Revenue Service.
  21. ^ "26 U.S. Code Subpart B - Foreign Corporations". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  22. ^ a b "Profits Tax". Inland Revenue Department. Ird.gov.hk. 1 April 2022.
  23. ^ Bartlett, Bruce (31 May 2011). "Are Taxes in the U.S. High or Low?". New York Times. Retrieved 19 September 2012.
  24. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 11 - Tax imposed". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  25. ^ Watson, Garrett (27 September 2022). "Combined State and Federal Corporate Income Tax Rates in 2022". Tax Foundation. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  26. ^ Canada Revenue Agency (2015-03-25). "Type of corporation - Canada.ca". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  27. ^ . Peach Wilkinson Accountants. Archived from the original on 2016-10-06. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  28. ^ . Ato.gov.au. 2012-07-24. Archived from the original on 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  29. ^ "Corporation tax rates". Canada Revenue Agency. 2012-04-03. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  30. ^ "Corporation Tax". Revenue.ie. 2008-02-04. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  31. ^ "Tax rates & tax exemption schemes". IRAS. 2012-02-17. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  32. ^ "Rates and allowances for Corporation Tax". gov.uk. 1 April 2022.
  33. ^ "26 USC § 11 – Tax imposed | LII / Legal Information Institute". Law.cornell.edu. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  34. ^ "OECD iLibrary" (PDF). Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.[dead link]
  35. ^ a b c "Table II.4. Overall statutory tax rates on dividend income". stats.oecd.org.
  36. ^ "Corporate tax rates slashed as govt announces ₹1.45 lakh crore stimulus". Mint. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  37. ^ Tax Code of the Russian Federation, Part II, Chapter 25, Article 284
  38. ^ Singapore Corporate Tax Guide
  39. ^ United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Finance
  40. ^ United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Finance
  41. ^ Thomas, Daniel (8 October 2022). "Nations agree to 15% minimum corporate tax rate". BBC News.
  42. ^ See, e.g., 26 USC 61(a)(7).
  43. ^ See 26 USC 1(h)(11) for the reduced rate of tax for individuals, and 26 USC 243 (a)(1) and (c) for a deduction for dividends received by corporations.
  44. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 312 - Effect on earnings and profits". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  45. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 316 - Dividend defined". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  46. ^ 26 USC 351. For a discussion of U.S. principles, see Bittker & Eustice, below, Chapter 3.
  47. ^ 26 USC 357 and 26 CFR 1.367-1(b) Example.
  48. ^ See, e.g., 26 USC 368 defining events qualifying for reorganization treatment, including certain acquisitions.
  49. ^ See 26 USC 354 for tax effect on shareholders of reorganizations as defined in 26 USC 368.
  50. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 163 - Interest". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  51. ^ See, e.g., 26 USC 385. The Internal Revenue Service had proposed complex regulations under this section (see TD 7747, 1981-1 CB 141) which were soon withdrawn (TD 7920, 1983-2 CB 69). An article in Tax Notes, a publication of Tax Analysts in 1986[citation needed] identified 26 factors the U.S. courts have used to classify instruments as debt or equity. Also see article[permanent dead link] by Englebrecht, et al.
  52. ^ Contrast tax on domestic corporations under 26 USC 11 and 26 USC 63 with tax on foreign corporations under 26 USC 881-885.
  53. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 882 - Tax on income of foreign corporations connected with United States business". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  54. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 884 - Branch profits tax". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  55. ^ For example, the Internal Revenue Service states in its Publication 515, "The payee of a payment made to a disregarded entity is the owner of the entity."
  56. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 172 - Net operating loss deduction". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  57. ^ "26 CFR 1.1502-0 - Effective dates". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  58. ^ 26 USC 1(h)(11). Distributions from an S corporation, Regulated Investment Company (mutual fund), or Real Estate Investment Trust are not treated as dividends.
  59. ^ Switzerland[citation needed]
  60. ^ a b New York
  61. ^ Delaware
  62. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 6012 - Persons required to make returns of income". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  63. ^ "26 U.S. Code § 6151 - Time and place for paying tax shown on returns". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 2018-10-13.
  64. ^ See, e.g., India[citation needed]
  65. ^ See, e.g., UK Form CT600, which requires the attachment of audited or statutory accounts as filed with the Companies House.
  66. ^ "Forms and Instructions (PDF)". Irs.gov. 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
  67. ^ Examples: U.S. corporations must file Federal income Form 1120 by the 15th day of the third month following the end of the tax year (March 15 for calendar years); but Form 1120-IC-DISC returns are not due until the 15th day of the ninth month; Canadian corporations must file T-2 by June 30.
  68. ^ U.S. Corporations must pay estimated taxes for each quarter or face penalties under 26 USC 6655.
  69. ^ "Instalment due dates". Cra-arc.gc.ca. 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-10-08.

Further reading edit

U.S.
  • Bittker, Boris I. and Eustice, James S.: Federal Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders: paperback ISBN 978-0-7913-4101-8, subscription service
  • Kahn & Lehman. Corporate Income Taxation
  • Healy, John C. and Schadewald, Michael S.: Multistate Corporate Tax Course 2010, CCH, ISBN 978-0-8080-2173-5 (also available as a multi-volume guide, ISBN 978-0-8080-2015-8)
  • Hoffman, et al.: Corporations, Partnerships, Estates and Trusts, ISBN 978-0-324-66021-0
  • Momburn, et al.: Mastering Corporate Tax, Carolina Academic Press, ISBN 978-1-59460-368-6
  • Watson, Garrett and William McBride, "Evaluating Proposals to Increase the Corporate Tax Rate and Levy a Minimum Tax on Corporate Book Income," FISCAL FACT (Tax Foundation, No. 751 Feb. 2021)
United Kingdom

External links edit

Canada
  • CRA main website
  • CRA gateway for corporations
  • CRA gateway to T2 returns
United Kingdom
  • HMRC main website
  • HMRC Introduction to Corporation Tax
United States
  • IRS main website
  • IRS gateway for corporations
  • IRS Publication 542, Corporations

corporate, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, possibly, contains, original, research, please, improve, verifying, claims, made, adding, inli. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed July 2013 Learn how and when to remove this template message The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and the United Kingdom and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject You may improve this article discuss the issue on the talk page or create a new article as appropriate May 2010 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Corporate tax news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2010 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message A corporate tax also called corporation tax or company tax is a type of direct tax levied on the income or capital of corporations and other similar legal entities The tax is usually imposed at the national level but it may also be imposed at state or local levels in some countries Corporate taxes may be referred to as income tax or capital tax depending on the nature of the tax The purpose of corporate tax is to generate revenue for the government by taxing the profits earned by corporations The tax rate varies from country to country and is usually calculated as a percentage of the corporation s net income or capital Corporate tax rates may also differ for domestic and foreign corporations Many countries have tax laws that require corporations to pay taxes on their worldwide income regardless of where the income is earned However some countries have territorial tax systems which only require corporations to pay taxes on income earned within the country s borders A country s corporate tax may apply to corporations incorporated in the country corporations doing business in the country on income from that country foreign corporations who have a permanent establishment in the country or corporations deemed to be resident for tax purposes in the country Company income subject to tax is often determined much like taxable income for individual taxpayers Generally the tax is imposed on net profits In some jurisdictions rules for taxing companies may differ significantly from rules for taxing individuals Certain corporate acts or types of entities may be exempt from tax The incidence of corporate taxation is a subject of significant debate among economists and policymakers Evidence suggests that some portion of the corporate tax falls on owners of capital workers and shareholders but the ultimate incidence of the tax is an unresolved question 1 Contents 1 Economics 2 Legal framework 2 1 Definition of corporation 3 Types 3 1 Taxable income 4 Rates 4 1 International corporate tax rates 5 Distribution of earnings 5 1 Example 6 Other corporate events 6 1 Formation 6 2 Acquisitions 6 3 Reorganizations 7 Interest deduction limitations 8 Foreign corporation branches 9 Losses 10 Groups of companies 11 Transfer pricing 12 Taxation of shareholders 13 Alternative tax bases 14 Tax returns 15 See also 16 References 17 Further reading 18 External linksEconomics editThis section needs expansion You can help by adding to it April 2019 Economists disagree as to how much of the burden of the corporate tax falls on owners workers consumers and landowners and how the corporate tax affects economic growth and economic inequality 2 More of the burden probably falls on capital in large open economies such as the US 3 Some studies place the burden more on labor 4 5 6 According to one study Regression analysis shows that a one percentage point increase in the marginal state corporate tax rate reduces wages 0 14 to 0 36 percent 7 There have been other studies 8 9 10 11 12 13 According to the Adam Smith Institute Clausing 2012 Gravelle 2010 and Auerbach 2005 the three best reviews we found basically conclude that most of the tax falls on capital not labour A 2022 meta analysis found that the impact of corporate taxes on economic growth was exaggerated and that it could not be ruled out that the impact of corporate taxation on economic growth was zero 14 Legal framework editThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed August 2015 Learn how and when to remove this template message A corporate tax is a tax imposed on the net profit of a corporation that is taxed at the entity level in a particular jurisdiction Net profit for corporate tax is generally the financial statement net profit with modifications and may be defined in great detail within each country s tax system Such taxes may include income or other taxes The tax systems of most countries impose an income tax at the entity level on the certain type s of entities company or corporation The rate of tax varies by jurisdiction The tax may have an alternative base such as assets payroll or income computed in an alternative manner Most countries exempt certain types of corporate events or transactions from income tax For example events related to the formation or reorganization of the corporation which are treated as capital costs In addition most systems provide specific rules for taxation of the entity and or its members upon winding up or dissolution of the entity In systems where financing costs are allowed as reductions of the tax base tax deductions rules may apply that differentiate between classes of member provided financing In such systems items characterized as interest may be deductible perhaps subject to limitations while items characterized as dividends are not Some systems limit deductions based on simple formulas such as a debt to equity ratio while other systems have more complex rules Some systems provide a mechanism whereby groups of related corporations may obtain benefit from losses credits or other items of all members within the group Mechanisms include combined or consolidated returns as well as group relief direct benefit from items of another member Many systems additionally tax shareholders of those entities on dividends or other distributions by the corporation A few systems provide for partial integration of entity and member taxation This may be accomplished by imputation systems or franking credits In the past mechanisms have existed for advance payment of member tax by corporations with such payment offsetting entity level tax Many systems particularly sub country level systems impose a tax on particular corporate attributes Such non income taxes may be based on capital stock issued or authorized either by number of shares or value total equity net capital or other measures unique to corporations Corporations like other entities may be subject to withholding tax obligations upon making certain varieties of payments to others These obligations are generally not the tax of the corporation but the system may impose penalties on the corporation or its officers or employees for failing to withhold and pay over such taxes A company has been defined as a juristic person having an independent and separate existence from its shareholders Income of the company is computed and assessed separately in the hands of the company In certain cases distributions from the company to its shareholders as dividends are taxed as income to the shareholders Corporations property tax payroll tax withholding tax excise tax customs duties value added tax and other common taxes are generally not referred to as corporate tax Definition of corporation edit Main article Corporation Characterization as a corporation for tax purposes is based on the form of organization with the exception of United States Federal 15 and most states income taxes under which an entity may elect to be treated as a corporation and taxed at the entity level or taxed only at the member level 16 See Limited liability company Partnership taxation S corporation Sole proprietorship Types editMost jurisdictions including the United Kingdom 17 and the United States 16 tax corporations on their income The United States taxes most types of corporate income at 21 16 The United States taxes corporations under the same framework of tax law as individuals with differences related to the inherent natures of corporations and individuals or unincorporated entities For example individuals are not formed amalgamated or acquired and corporations do not incur medical expenses except by way of compensating individuals 18 Most systems tax both domestic and foreign corporations Often domestic corporations are taxed on worldwide income while foreign corporations are taxed only on income from sources within the jurisdiction Taxable income edit The United States defines taxable income for a corporation as all gross income i e sales plus other income minus cost of goods sold and tax exempt income less allowable tax deductions without the allowance of the standard deduction applicable to individuals 19 The United States system requires that differences in principles for recognizing income and deductions differing from financial accounting principles like the timing of income or deduction tax exemption for certain income and disallowance or limitation of certain tax deductions be disclosed in considerable detail for non small corporations on Schedule M 3 to Form 1120 20 The United States taxes resident corporations i e those organized within the country on their worldwide income and nonresident foreign corporations only on their income from sources within the country 21 Hong Kong taxes resident and nonresident corporations only on income from sources within the country 22 Rates editThis section needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information January 2018 nbsp Share of U S Federal Revenue from Different Tax Sources Individual Payroll and Corporate 1950 2010Comparison of Corporate Income Taxes As a Percentage of GDP For OECD Countries 2008 23 Country Tax GDP Country Tax GDPNorway 12 5 Switzerland 3 3Australia 5 9 Netherlands 3 2Luxembourg 5 1 Slovakia 3 1New Zealand 4 4 Sweden 3 0Czech Republic 4 2 France 2 9South Korea 4 2 Ireland 2 8Japan 3 9 Spain 2 8Italy 3 7 Poland 2 7Portugal 3 6 Hungary 2 6UK 3 6 Austria 2 5Finland 3 5 Greece 2 5Israel 3 5 Slovenia 2 5OECD avg 3 5 Germany 1 9Denmark 3 4 Iceland 1 9Belgium 3 3 Turkey 1 8Canada 3 3 US 1 8Corporate tax rates generally are the same for differing types of income yet the US graduated its tax rate system where corporations with lower levels of income pay a lower rate of tax with rates varying from 15 on the first 50 000 of income to 35 on incomes over 10 000 000 with phase outs 24 The corporate income tax rates differ between US states and range from 2 5 to 11 5 25 The Canadian system imposes tax at different rates for different types of corporations allowing lower rates for some smaller corporations 26 Tax rates vary by jurisdiction and some countries have sub country level jurisdictions like provinces cantons prefectures cities or other that also impose corporate income tax like Canada Germany Japan Switzerland and the United States 27 Some jurisdictions impose tax at a different rate on an alternative tax base nbsp General government revenue in of GDP from Corporate Income Taxes For this data the variance of GDP per capita with purchasing power parity PPP is explained in 2 by tax revenue Years 2014 17 Examples of corporate tax rates for a few English speaking countries include Australia 28 5 however some specialized entities are taxed at lower rates 28 Canada Federal 11 or Federal 15 plus provincial 1 to 16 The rates are additive 29 Hong Kong 16 5 22 Ireland 12 5 on trading business income and 25 on non trading income 30 New Zealand 28 Singapore 17 from 2010 however a partial exemption scheme may apply to new companies 31 United Kingdom 19 for 2017 2022 32 United States Federal 21 33 States 0 to 10 deductible in computing Federal taxable income Some cities up to 9 deductible in computing Federal taxable income The Federal Alternative Minimum Tax of 20 is imposed on regular taxable income with adjustments International corporate tax rates edit This section needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information November 2021 Corporate tax rates vary widely by country leading some corporations to shield earnings within offshore subsidiaries or to redomicile within countries with lower tax rates In comparing national corporate tax rates one should also take into account the taxes on dividends paid to shareholders For example the overall U S tax on corporate profits of 35 is less than or similar to that of European countries such as Germany Ireland Switzerland and the United Kingdom which have lower corporate tax rates but higher taxes on dividends paid to shareholders 34 Corporate tax rates across the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development OECD are shown in the table Country Corporate Income Tax rate 2019 35 Dividend Tax rate 2019 35 Integrated Corporate Tax rate 2019 35 nbsp Ireland 12 5 51 0 57 1 nbsp South Korea 27 5 40 3 56 7 nbsp Canada 26 8 39 3 55 6 nbsp France 32 0 34 0 55 1 nbsp Denmark 22 0 42 0 54 8 nbsp Belgium 29 6 30 0 50 7 nbsp Portugal 31 5 28 0 50 7 nbsp United Kingdom 19 0 38 1 49 9 nbsp Israel 23 0 33 0 48 4 nbsp Germany 29 9 26 4 48 4 nbsp United States 21 0 29 3 47 6 nbsp Australia 30 0 24 3 47 0 nbsp Norway 22 0 31 7 46 7 nbsp Austria 25 0 27 5 45 6 nbsp Sweden 21 4 30 0 45 0 nbsp Japan 29 7 20 3 44 0 nbsp Italy 24 0 26 0 43 8 nbsp Netherlands 25 0 25 0 43 8 nbsp Finland 20 0 28 9 43 1 nbsp Spain 25 0 23 0 42 3 nbsp Mexico 30 0 17 1 42 0 nbsp Luxembourg 24 9 21 0 40 7 nbsp Slovenia 19 0 25 0 39 3 nbsp Greece 28 0 15 0 38 8 nbsp Switzerland 21 1 21 1 37 8 nbsp Iceland 20 0 22 0 37 6 nbsp Chile 25 0 13 3 35 0 nbsp Turkey 22 0 17 5 35 0 nbsp Poland 19 0 19 0 34 4 nbsp New Zealand 28 0 6 9 33 0 nbsp Czech Republic 19 0 15 0 31 2 nbsp Lithuania 15 0 15 0 27 8 nbsp Slovak Republic 21 0 7 0 26 5 nbsp Hungary 9 0 15 0 22 7 nbsp Estonia 20 0 0 0 20 0 nbsp Latvia 20 0 0 0 20 0 The corporate tax rates in other jurisdictions include Country Corporate Income Tax rate Dividend Tax rate Integrated Corporate Tax rate nbsp Bulgaria 10 0 5 0 14 5 nbsp India 22 2019 15 for newly incorporated manufacturing companies 36 nbsp Russia 20 2015 37 nbsp Singapore 17 with significant exemptions for resident companies 2015 38 nbsp United Arab Emirates 0 percent for taxable income up to AED 375 000 December 2022 39 9 percent for taxable income above AED 375 000 December 2022 40 In October 2021 some 136 countries agreed to enforce a corporate tax rate of at least 15 from 2023 after the talks on a minimum rate led by OECD for a decade 41 Distribution of earnings editMost systems that tax corporations also impose income tax on shareholders of corporations when earnings are distributed 42 Such distribution of earnings is generally referred to as a dividend The tax may be at reduced rates For example the United States provides for reduced amounts of tax on dividends received by individuals and by corporations 43 The company law of some jurisdictions prevents corporations from distributing amounts to shareholders except as distribution of earnings Such earnings may be determined under company law principles or tax principles In such jurisdictions exceptions are usually provided with respect to distribution of shares of the company for winding up and in limited other situations Other jurisdictions treat distributions as distributions of earnings taxable to shareholders if earnings are available to be distributed but do not prohibit distributions in excess of earnings For example under the United States system each corporation must maintain a calculation of its earnings and profits a tax concept similar to retained earnings 44 A distribution to a shareholder is considered to be from earnings and profits to the extent thereof unless an exception applies 45 The United States provides reduced tax on dividend income of both corporations and individuals Other jurisdictions provide corporations a means of designating within limits whether a distribution is a distribution of earnings taxable to the shareholder or a return of capital Example edit The following illustrates the dual level of tax concept Widget Corp earns 100 of profits before tax in each of years 1 and 2 It distributes all the earnings in year 3 when it has no profits Jim owns all of Widget Corp The tax rate in the residence jurisdiction of Jim and Widget Corp is 30 Year 1 Cumulative Pre tax income TaxesTaxable income 100 100Tax 30 30 Net after tax 70Jim s income amp tax 0Year 2Taxable income 100 200Tax 30 60 Net after tax 70Jim s income amp tax 0Year 3 Distribution 140Jim s tax 42 102 Net after Jim s tax 98Totals 200 102 51 Other corporate events editMany systems provide that certain corporate events are not taxable to corporations or shareholders Significant restrictions and special rules often apply The rules related to such transactions are often quite complex Formation edit Most systems treat the formation of a corporation by a controlling corporate shareholder as a nontaxable event Many systems including the United States and Canada extend this tax free treatment to the formation of a corporation by any group of shareholders in control of the corporation 46 Generally in tax free formations the tax attributes of assets and liabilities are transferred to the new corporation along with such assets and liabilities Example John and Mary are United States residents who operate a business They decide to incorporate for business reasons They transfer the assets of the business to Newco a newly formed Delaware corporation of which they are the sole shareholders subject to accrued liabilities of the business in exchange solely for common shares of Newco Under United States principles this transfer does not cause tax to John Mary or Newco If on the other hand Newco also assumes a bank loan in excess of the basis of the assets transferred less the accrued liabilities John and Mary will recognize taxable gain for such excess 47 Acquisitions edit Corporations may merge or acquire other corporations in a manner a particular tax system treats as nontaxable to either of the corporations and or to their shareholders Generally significant restrictions apply if tax free treatment is to be obtained 48 For example Bigco acquires all of the shares of Smallco from Smallco shareholders in exchange solely for Bigco shares This acquisition is not taxable to Smallco or its shareholders under U S or Canadian tax law if certain requirements are met even if Smallco is then liquidated into or merged or amalgamated with Bigco Reorganizations edit In addition corporations may change key aspects of their legal identity capitalization or structure in a tax free manner under most systems Examples of reorganizations that may be tax free include mergers amalgamations liquidations of subsidiaries share for share exchanges exchanges of shares for assets changes in form or place of organization and recapitalizations 49 Interest deduction limitations editMost jurisdictions allow a tax deduction for interest expense incurred by a corporation in carrying out its trading activities Where such interest is paid to related parties such deduction may be limited Without such limitation owners could structure financing of the corporation in a manner that would provide for a tax deduction for much of the profits potentially without changing the tax on shareholders For example assume a corporation earns profits of 100 before interest expense and would normally distribute 50 to shareholders If the corporation is structured so that deductible interest of 50 is payable to the shareholders it will cut its tax to half the amount due if it merely paid a dividend A common form of limitation is to limit the deduction for interest paid to related parties to interest charged at arm s length rates on debt not exceeding a certain portion of the equity of the paying corporation For example interest paid on related party debt in excess of three times equity may not be deductible in computing taxable income The United States United Kingdom and French tax systems apply a more complex set of tests to limit deductions Under the U S system related party interest expense in excess of 50 of cash flow is generally not currently deductible with the excess potentially deductible in future years 50 The classification of instruments as debt on which interest is deductible or as equity with respect to which distributions are not deductible can be complex in some systems 51 Foreign corporation branches editMost jurisdictions tax foreign corporations differently from domestic corporations 52 No international laws limit the ability of a country to tax its nationals and residents individuals and entities However treaties and practicality impose limits on taxation of those outside its borders even on income from sources within the country Most jurisdictions tax foreign corporations on business income within the jurisdiction when earned through a branch or permanent establishment in the jurisdiction This tax may be imposed at the same rate as the tax on business income of a resident corporation or at a different rate 53 Upon payment of dividends corporations are generally subject to withholding tax only by their country of incorporation Many countries impose a branch profits tax on foreign corporations to prevent the advantage the absence of dividend withholding tax would otherwise provide to foreign corporations This tax may be imposed at the time profits are earned by the branch or at the time they are remitted or deemed remitted outside the country 54 Branches of foreign corporations may not be entitled to all of the same deductions as domestic corporations Some jurisdictions do not recognize inter branch payments as actual payments and income or deductions arising from such inter branch payments are disregarded 55 Some jurisdictions impose express limits on tax deductions of branches Commonly limited deductions include management fees and interest Nathan M Jenson argues that low corporate tax rates are a minor determinate of a multinational company when setting up their headquarters in a country Nathan M Jenson Sinha S S 2008 Can India Adopt Strategic Flexibility Like China Did Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management vol 9 no 2 3 pp 1 Losses editMost jurisdictions allow interperiod allocation or deduction of losses in some manner for corporations even where such deduction is not allowed for individuals A few jurisdictions allow losses usually defined as negative taxable income to be deducted by revising or amending prior year taxable income 56 Most jurisdictions allow such deductions only in subsequent periods Some jurisdictions impose time limitations as to when loss deductions may be utilized Groups of companies editSeveral jurisdictions provide a mechanism whereby losses or tax credits of one corporation may be used by another corporation where both corporations are commonly controlled together a group In the United States and Netherlands among others this is accomplished by filing a single tax return including the income and loss of each group member This is referred to as a consolidated return in the United States and as a fiscal unity in the Netherlands In the United Kingdom this is accomplished directly on a pairwise basis called group relief Losses of one group member company may be surrendered to another group member company and the latter company may deduct the loss against profits The United States has extensive regulations dealing with consolidated returns 57 One such rule requires matching of income and deductions on intercompany transactions within the group by use of deferred intercompany transaction rules In addition a few systems provide a tax exemption for dividend income received by corporations The Netherlands system provides a participation exception to taxation for corporations owning more than 25 of the dividend paying corporation Transfer pricing editSee also Transfer pricing A key issue in corporate tax is the setting of prices charged by related parties for goods services or the use of property Many jurisdictions have guidelines on transfer pricing which allow tax authorities to adjust transfer prices used Such adjustments may apply in both an international and a domestic context Taxation of shareholders editMost income tax systems levy tax on the corporation and upon distribution of earnings dividends on the shareholder This results in a dual level of tax Most systems require that income tax be withheld on distribution of dividends to foreign shareholders and some also require withholding of tax on distributions to domestic shareholders The rate of such withholding tax may be reduced for a shareholder under a tax treaty Some systems tax some or all dividend income at lower rates than other income The United States has historically provided a dividends received deduction to corporations with respect to dividends from other corporations in which the recipient owns more than 10 of the shares For tax years 2004 2010 the United States also has imposed a reduced rate of taxation on dividends received by individuals 58 Some systems currently attempt or in the past have attempted to integrate taxation of the corporation with taxation of shareholders to mitigate the dual level of taxation As a current example Australia provides for a franking credit as a benefit to shareholders When an Australian company pays a dividend to a domestic shareholder it reports the dividend as well as a notional tax credit amount The shareholder utilizes this notional credit to offset shareholder level income tax citation needed A previous system was utilised in the United Kingdom called the advance corporation tax ACT When a company paid a dividend it was required to pay an amount of ACT which it then used to offset its own taxes The ACT was included in income by the shareholder resident in the United Kingdom or certain treaty countries and treated as a payment of tax by the shareholder To the extent that deemed tax payment exceeded taxes otherwise due it was refundable to the shareholder Alternative tax bases editMany jurisdictions incorporate some sort of alternative tax computation These computations may be based on assets capital wages or some alternative measure of taxable income Often the alternative tax functions as a minimum tax United States federal income tax incorporates an alternative minimum tax This tax is computed at a lower tax rate 20 for corporations and imposed based on a modified version of taxable income Modifications include longer depreciation lives assets under MACRS adjustments related to costs of developing natural resources and an addback of certain tax exempt interest The U S state of Michigan previously taxed businesses on an alternative base that did not allow compensation of employees as a tax deduction and allowed full deduction of the cost of production assets upon acquisition Some jurisdictions such as Swiss cantons and certain states within the United States impose taxes based on capital These may be based on total equity per audited financial statements 59 a computed amount of assets less liabilities 60 or quantity of shares outstanding 61 In some jurisdictions capital based taxes are imposed in addition to the income tax 60 In other jurisdictions the capital taxes function as alternative taxes Mexico imposes an alternative tax on corporations the IETU citation needed The tax rate is lower than the regular rate and there are adjustments for salaries and wages interest and royalties and depreciable assets Tax returns editMost systems require that corporations file an annual income tax return 62 Some systems such as the Canadian United Kingdom and United States systems require that taxpayers self assess tax on the tax return 63 Other systems provide that the government must make an assessment for tax to be due citation needed Some systems require certification of tax returns in some manner by accountants licensed to practice in the jurisdiction often the company s auditors 64 Tax returns can be fairly simple or quite complex The systems requiring simple returns often base taxable income on financial statement profits with few adjustments and may require that audited financial statements be attached to the return 65 Returns for such systems generally require that the relevant financial statements be attached to a simple adjustment schedule By contrast United States corporate tax returns require both computation of taxable income from components thereof and reconciliation of taxable income to financial statement income Many systems require forms or schedules supporting particular items on the main form Some of these schedules may be incorporated into the main form For example the Canadian corporate return Form T 2 an eight page form incorporates some detail schedules but has nearly 50 additional schedules that may be required Some systems have different returns for different types of corporations or corporations engaged in specialized businesses The United States has 13 variations on the basic Form 1120 66 for S corporations insurance companies Domestic international sales corporations foreign corporations and other entities The structure of the forms and imbedded schedules vary by type of form Preparation of non simple corporate tax returns can be time consuming For example the U S Internal Revenue Service states in the instructions for Form 1120 that the average time needed to complete form is over 56 hours not including record keeping time and required attachments Tax return due dates vary by jurisdiction fiscal or tax year and type of entity 67 In self assessment systems payment of taxes is generally due no later than the normal due date though advance tax payments may be required 68 Canadian corporations must pay estimated taxes monthly 69 In each case final payment is due with the corporation tax return See also editCorporate tax rates in Canada Corporate tax in the United States United Kingdom corporation tax Corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland List of Tax rates of Europe List of Tax rates around the worldReferences edit Auerbach Alan J January 2006 Who Bears the Corporate Tax A Review of What We Know Tax Policy and the Economy 20 1 40 doi 10 1086 tpe 20 20061903 ISSN 0892 8649 S2CID 6156389 Suarez Serrato Juan Carlos Zidar Owen 2017 11 02 Who benefits from corporate tax cuts Evidence from local US labour markets Microeconomic Insights Gordon Stephen 2017 12 04 Stephen Gordon Corporate tax cuts won t work in the U S The same way they did here National Post National Post International Burdens of the Corporate Income Tax PDF cbo gov Liu Li 2011 The economic effects of corporate income taxation PhD Thesis Rutgers University Graduate School New Brunswick doi 10 7282 T3765DZR Felix R Alison Hines R Alison 2009 Corporate Taxes and Union Wages in the United States National Bureau of Economic Research doi 10 3386 w15263 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help Felix R Alison 2009 Do State Corporate Income Taxes Reduce Wages PDF Economic Review Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City 94 2 77 102 Desai Mihir A Foley C Fritz Hines James R Labor and Capital Shares of the Corporate Tax Burden International Evidence CiteSeerX 10 1 1 364 4867 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help DRAFT PDF www budget gov ie Felix R Alison 2007 Passing the burden Corporate tax incidence in open economies LIS Working Paper Series hdl 10419 95465 The incidence of corporate taxation and its implications for tax progressivity 2017 10 10 Arulampalam Wiji Devereux Michael P Maffini Giorgia August 2012 The direct incidence of corporate income tax on wages European Economic Review 56 6 1038 1054 doi 10 1016 j euroecorev 2012 03 003 S2CID 1584850 Clausing Kimberly A October 16 2012 Who Pays the Corporate Tax in a Global Economy National Tax Journal 66 1 SSRN 2213581 Gechert Sebastian Heimberger Philipp 2022 Do corporate tax cuts boost economic growth European Economic Review 147 104157 doi 10 1016 j euroecorev 2022 104157 ISSN 0014 2921 See United States tax regulations at 26 CFR 301 7701 2 and 3 a b c 26 USC 11 United Kingdom Income and Corporation Taxes Act of 1988 as amended UK ICTA88 section 6 United States itemized deductions for individuals and special deductions for corporations 26 U S Code 63 Taxable income defined LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 M 3 to Form 1120 PDF United States Internal Revenue Service 26 U S Code Subpart B Foreign Corporations LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 a b Profits Tax Inland Revenue Department Ird gov hk 1 April 2022 Bartlett Bruce 31 May 2011 Are Taxes in the U S High or Low New York Times Retrieved 19 September 2012 26 U S Code 11 Tax imposed LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 Watson Garrett 27 September 2022 Combined State and Federal Corporate Income Tax Rates in 2022 Tax Foundation Retrieved 8 March 2023 Canada Revenue Agency 2015 03 25 Type of corporation Canada ca www canada ca Retrieved 2018 10 13 Corporation Tax Explained Peach Wilkinson Accountants Archived from the original on 2016 10 06 Retrieved 2016 10 04 Company tax rates Ato gov au 2012 07 24 Archived from the original on 2013 07 09 Retrieved 2012 10 08 Corporation tax rates Canada Revenue Agency 2012 04 03 Retrieved 2012 10 08 Corporation Tax Revenue ie 2008 02 04 Retrieved 2012 10 08 Tax rates amp tax exemption schemes IRAS 2012 02 17 Retrieved 2012 10 08 Rates and allowances for Corporation Tax gov uk 1 April 2022 26 USC 11 Tax imposed LII Legal Information Institute Law cornell edu Retrieved 2012 10 08 OECD iLibrary PDF Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development dead link a b c Table II 4 Overall statutory tax rates on dividend income stats oecd org Corporate tax rates slashed as govt announces 1 45 lakh crore stimulus Mint 20 September 2019 Retrieved 20 September 2019 Tax Code of the Russian Federation Part II Chapter 25 Article 284 Singapore Corporate Tax Guide United Arab Emirates Ministry of Finance United Arab Emirates Ministry of Finance Thomas Daniel 8 October 2022 Nations agree to 15 minimum corporate tax rate BBC News See e g 26 USC 61 a 7 See 26 USC 1 h 11 for the reduced rate of tax for individuals and 26 USC 243 a 1 and c for a deduction for dividends received by corporations 26 U S Code 312 Effect on earnings and profits LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 26 U S Code 316 Dividend defined LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 26 USC 351 For a discussion of U S principles see Bittker amp Eustice below Chapter 3 26 USC 357 and 26 CFR 1 367 1 b Example See e g 26 USC 368 defining events qualifying for reorganization treatment including certain acquisitions See 26 USC 354 for tax effect on shareholders of reorganizations as defined in 26 USC 368 26 U S Code 163 Interest LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 See e g 26 USC 385 The Internal Revenue Service had proposed complex regulations under this section see TD 7747 1981 1 CB 141 which were soon withdrawn TD 7920 1983 2 CB 69 An article in Tax Notes a publication of Tax Analysts in 1986 citation needed identified 26 factors the U S courts have used to classify instruments as debt or equity Also see article permanent dead link by Englebrecht et al Contrast tax on domestic corporations under 26 USC 11 and 26 USC 63 with tax on foreign corporations under 26 USC 881 885 26 U S Code 882 Tax on income of foreign corporations connected with United States business LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 26 U S Code 884 Branch profits tax LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 For example the Internal Revenue Service states in its Publication 515 The payee of a payment made to a disregarded entity is the owner of the entity 26 U S Code 172 Net operating loss deduction LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 26 CFR 1 1502 0 Effective dates LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 26 USC 1 h 11 Distributions from an S corporation Regulated Investment Company mutual fund or Real Estate Investment Trust are not treated as dividends Switzerland citation needed a b New York Delaware 26 U S Code 6012 Persons required to make returns of income LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 26 U S Code 6151 Time and place for paying tax shown on returns LII Legal Information Institute Retrieved 2018 10 13 See e g India citation needed See e g UK Form CT600 which requires the attachment of audited or statutory accounts as filed with the Companies House Forms and Instructions PDF Irs gov 2012 07 17 Retrieved 2012 10 08 Examples U S corporations must file Federal income Form 1120 by the 15th day of the third month following the end of the tax year March 15 for calendar years but Form 1120 IC DISC returns are not due until the 15th day of the ninth month Canadian corporations must file T 2 by June 30 U S Corporations must pay estimated taxes for each quarter or face penalties under 26 USC 6655 Instalment due dates Cra arc gc ca 2012 01 04 Retrieved 2012 10 08 Further reading editU S Bittker Boris I and Eustice James S Federal Income Taxation of Corporations and Shareholders paperback ISBN 978 0 7913 4101 8 subscription service Kahn amp Lehman Corporate Income Taxation Healy John C and Schadewald Michael S Multistate Corporate Tax Course 2010 CCH ISBN 978 0 8080 2173 5 also available as a multi volume guide ISBN 978 0 8080 2015 8 Hoffman et al Corporations Partnerships Estates and Trusts ISBN 978 0 324 66021 0 Momburn et al Mastering Corporate Tax Carolina Academic Press ISBN 978 1 59460 368 6 Watson Garrett and William McBride Evaluating Proposals to Increase the Corporate Tax Rate and Levy a Minimum Tax on Corporate Book Income FISCAL FACT Tax Foundation No 751 Feb 2021 United KingdomTolley s Corporation Tax 2007 2008 ISBN 978 0 7545 3273 6 Watterson Juliana M Corporation Tax 2009 2010 Bloomsbury Professional ISBN 978 1 84766 327 6External links editCanadaCRA main website CRA gateway for corporations CRA gateway to T2 returnsUnited KingdomHMRC main website HMRC Introduction to Corporation TaxUnited StatesIRS main website IRS gateway for corporations IRS Publication 542 Corporations Portal nbsp Companies Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Corporate tax amp oldid 1207295973, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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