Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)

About BEPS

The OECD began work on their BEPS project to address concerns that current principles of national and international taxation were failing to keep pace with the global nature of modern trading and business models. In particular, a perception that existing rules give businesses too much opportunity for arbitraging tax rates and regimes.

While views vary, one clear and consistent message is that the matters on the OECD Action Plan agenda are set to significantly shape the means by which governments collect tax and companies align their tax affairs and business models in the decade ahead. Given the OECD’s pace of work, change is inevitable and will be swift.

Endorsed by the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, the Action Plan will likely be delivered in a short 18 to 24 months timeframe.

View the OECD’s site on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting here.

OECD Timetable and actions

OECD’s BEPS Action Plan identifies fifteen specific actions that are needed for governments to address the challenges outlined above. The OECD has set the above timeline for itself to address these fifteen actions in three phases.

Click on each of the links below to find a brief description and expected output of each of the 15 BEPS Actions, along with related documents, commentary, and videos.

OECD’s BEPS initiative – global survey

A summary of the results from Deloitte’s “OECD’s BEPS initiative—a global survey,” completed in March 2014. The survey was intended to gauge clients' and contacts’ views regarding the increased media, political, and activist group interest in “responsible tax” and BEPS, and the resulting impact on their organizations

OECD’s BEPS initiative – analysis of global survey results

Analysis of the results from Deloitte’s “OECD’s BEPS initiative—a global survey,” completed in March 2014. The survey was intended to gauge clients' and contacts’ views regarding the increased media, political, and activist group interest in “responsible tax” and BEPS, and the resulting impact on their organizations

Major changes: International tax reform and transparency

A briefing paper from Deloitte UK discusses two major tax issues affecting businesses today: international tax reform (OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project) and corporate transparency about their tax affairs.

Tune into the Topic: Global debates on Responsible Tax, Anti-avoidance, and BEPS

Discussion and perspective on current tax topics and BEPS from Deloitte partners from Belgium, Canada, the United States, the UK, and France.

BEPS alerts and updates

• United States Tax Alert (4 November 2014) - BEPS Action 7: Preventing the artificial avoidance of PE status
• United States Tax Alert (19 September 2014) - OECD Releases the BEPS Project 2014 Deliverables  
• Global Transfer Pricing alert (19 September 2014) - OECD Release on Intangibles: Many Issues Unanswered
• Global Transfer Pricing alert (18 September 2014) - OECD Chapter I Release: Important Guidance on Location-Specific Advantages and Passive Association
• Global Transfer Pricing alert (17 September 2014) - OECD Release on Transfer Pricing Documentation: The New Global Standard