Kurs_anglyskogo_yazyka_dlya_finansistov

UNIT 6. TAXATION

A. TEXT

WHAT ARE TAXES?

Taxes are a compulsory financial contribution by a person or body of persons towards the expenditure of a public authority. In modern economies taxes are the most important source of government revenues. Taxes on income (i.e. on wages, salaries, profits, dividends, rent and interest) and on capital are known as "direct" taxes. Taxes on commodities or services are known as "indirect" taxes.

Taxes are considered to have three functions:

(a)fiscal or budgetary, to cover government expenditure, to provide the public authorities with the revenue required for meeting the cost of defence, social services, interest payments on the national debt, municipal services, etc.;

(b)economic, to give effect to economic policy, to promote stable economic growth, to influence the rate of economic growth of the nation;

(c)social, to increase the economic welfare of the community, to lessen inequalities in the distribution of income and wealth.

Businesses and individuals are subject to many forms of taxes. The various forms of business organization are not taxed equally. The tax situation is simplest for proprietorships and most partnerships; corporations or companies are treated differently.

In the United States of America nearly all of the federal government's revenues come from taxes. By far the most important source of tax revenue is the personal income tax. Gross receipts from corporate income taxes yield a far smaller percentage of total federal receipts. Individual states levy their own taxes. As a result, for example, the profits of a corporation are liable to federal and sometimes state corporate income taxes. This often imposes a double tax burden. When the after-tax income is paid out to stock-holders as dividends, it is then taxed again as personal income.

In the United Kingdom there is no single code of tax law, the body of tax legislation being increased by each year's Finance Act.1

The United Kingdom operates a "schedular" system,2 whereby taxable income from different sources is calculated and taxed under the rules of a particular "schedule".

Tax assessments are normally based on returns issued by the Board of Inland Revenue (referred to simply as "Inland Revenue") for completion by the, taxpayer. While companies may receive tax returns, they normally submit instead a copy of their annual accounts together with a computation of taxable profits.

The United Kingdom does not yet operate a system of self-assessment for tax on income and capital gains, but it is being introduced at the moment.

Under Russian law, all Russian legal entities, whether they have foreign investment or not, are subject to the profit tax law. Foreign entities that have a taxable permanent establishment in Russia are also taxed under this law.

Russian taxes provide revenue for three tiers of the budget: federal, regional and local. The major taxes paid to the budget are: Profit tax; Value-added tax (VAT); Securities tax; Withholding tax.

The Russian government tries to create a climate in which business can thrive, to keep the tax burden as low as possible. It also attempts to eliminate tax allowances, which deprive the budget of tax revenues, and to improve tax collection.

Tax returns for Russian legal entities are audited by the tax authorities at the time they are submitted.

If the company or a person assessed believes the assessment is incorrect in any way, an appeal may be lodged against it. The appropriate financial organ is required by law to reply to such an appeal within five days.

When a company resident in one country receives income or gains from a source in another, or when shareholders and company are domiciled in different countries it is possible that incomes arising will be taxable in each country, i.e. taxed twice. Many countries seek to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of double taxation by entering with other countries into double tax treaties, or arrangements preventing the same income being taxed twice.

A number of countries have problems because of significant taxpayer non-compliance.

Along with cases of illegal evasion of tax obligations there are entirely legal ways of avoidance by which a person may so arrange his affairs as to minimize, or even eliminate, tax liability on his property and income.

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B. DIALOGUE

TAXATION IN RUSSIA

Foreigner: I hear that many Russians complain that taxes are too high in Russia, personal income tax, for example.

Russian: I can't agree with you here. The existing 12% income tax on personal income under 20 thousand roubles a year is not too heavy.

F.: There are many rich people in Russia now. How are higher incomes taxed?

R.: Progressive income tax is applicable in such cases. The larger the income, the bigger proportion of it is paid as tax.3 The upper limit of the tax rate is 35% at the moment.

F.: Oh, I must say that in many countries personal income taxes are also rather high. Can the same be said about taxes levied on businesses?

R.: The tax rate depends, first of all, on the form of business, on what each particular business is involved in. Juridical persons involved in entrepreneurial activities pay 13% to the federal budget and up to 25% to the regional budget.

F.: Do businesses involved in intermediary activities, including stock exchange activities, banking and insurance pay similar taxes?

R.: No, such businesses pay taxes on profit at a rate of 43%.

F.: Well, your profit tax is also comparable to other countries' taxes, isn't it?

R.: Yes, but the tax burden on businesses is too high, because along with the profit tax, enterprises pay VAT, excise tax, property tax and other local taxes. They also pay charges to the Pension Fund, Employment Fund, and Social Insurance and Medical Insurance Funds.

F.: VAT and excise are indirect taxes which are levied on transactions and are included into the selling price. They are paid by consumers and not by producers.

R.: Yes, you are absolutely right, but higher prices often cause sales problems. F.: As to the VAT, do you use a flat rate for all goods?

R.: No, a reduced rate of 10% is applicable to foodstuffs and goods for children. F.: In this connection, are there many tax allowances in Russia now?

R.: Quite a lot, but in the situation of growing tax evasion the government plans to do away with many tax breaks.

F.: Besides, as far as I know, there is a good deal of anxiety because the existing privileges for small businesses are under a big question mark.4

R.: Right. The majority of tax allowances have already been eliminated. Now small businesses have two alternatives. They either pay an imputed tax on income or pay taxes in the established order under which they have some tax deferments.

F.: These privileges deprive the state budget of some amount of revenue, don't they?

R.: Yes, but they are insignificant compared with the enormous sums that the industrial giants owe in taxes. F.: The government must provide a clear-cut and stable legislative base for small businesses, I think.

R.: Not only for small businesses. All people suffer from hasty, ill-considered decisions which adversely affect millions of people.

F.: Is there any discrimination against foreign companies in Russia?

R.: No, Russian business legislation provides that a company should pay tax at the same rate whether it is foreign or Russian.

F.: And what about foreign companies that earn income from renting equipment or making loans to Russian companies?

R.: Lower rates are applicable in such cases. Taxes are a powerful instrument. They must be used to support not to stifle business.

F.: Foreign experience can be of help here.

R.: No doubt. The Taxation Ministry of Russia is cooperating closely with its Western counterparts to borrow Western experience.

Notes

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1the body of tax legislation being increased by each year's Finance Act – причем налоговое законодательство расширяется за счет новых налогов, вводимых ежегодно при принятии финансового акта (самостоятельный причастный оборот – см. Note 3 в Unit 1)

2The United Kingdom operates a "scheduler" system ... – В Великобритании существует система «шедул» ...

(т.е. частей, на которые поделены доходы в зависимости от их источника)

3The larger the income, the bigger proportion of it is paid as tax. – Чем выше доход, тем большая доля его выплачивается в качестве налога.

Конструкция со сравнительной степенью прилагательных используется для того, чтобы сравнить действия, происходящие одновременно.

4are under a big question mark – находятся под большим вопросом

VOCABULARY LIST

A.taxation n налогообложение, взимание налогов compulsory adj обязательный, принудительный tax on income подоходный налог

tax on wages налог на заработную плату tax on salary налог на жалование служащих tax on profits налог на прибыль

tax on dividends налог на дивиденды tax on rent налог на рентные платежи

tax on interest налог на процентный доход tax on capital налог на капитал

direct taxes прямые налоги indirect taxes косвенные налоги interest payments процентные платежи

municipal services муниципальные услуги

to give effect (to) осуществлять, приводить в исполнение, проводить в жизнь welfare of the community благосостояние общества

inequality of incomes неравенство доходов forms of taxes виды налогов

treat v обращаться, обходиться

levy v облагать налогом

corporate income tax налог на корпоративный доход

impose v облагать (пошлиной, налогами ), налагать double tax burden бремя двойного налогообложения after-tax income доход после удержания (за вычетом) налога

stock-holder n акционер, держатель акций personal income личный доход

code n кодекс

tax law налоговое законодательство

body of tax legislation содержание налогового законодательства Finance Act финансовый акт

operate v (зд.) использовать, пользоваться

tax assessments установление налоговых ставок; определение размера облагаемого налогом дохода

return n налоговая декларация

to issue a return выдать налоговую декларацию

Board of Inland Revenue ("Inland Revenue") Налоговая служба Великобритании to complete a return заполнить налоговую декларацию

submit v представлять

annual accounts годовой отчет; (зд.) финансовая отчетность

computation n расчет, вычисление taxable profit налогооблагаемая прибыль

system of self-assessment система, при которой размер облагаемого налогом дохода определяется самим налогоплательщиком

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capital gains доход от прироста капитала

foreign investment иностранные капиталовложения

taxable permanent establishment постоянно работающее предприятие, облагаемое налогом tier n уровень, ярус

value-added tax (VAT) налог на добавленную стоимость securities tax налог на ценные бумаги

withholding tax налог с суммы дивидентов audit v подвергать(ся) аудиторской проверке

tax authorities налоговые органы

to lodge an appeal подавать апелляционную жалобу

resident adj проживающий, постоянно находящийся в стране domicile v поселиться на постоянное место жительства

seek (sought) v искать, стремиться mitigate v смягчать, уменьшать double taxation двойное налогообложение

double tax treaty договор об избежании двойного налогообложения arrangements n (зд.) меры, мероприятия

prevent v препятствовать, мешать, предупреждать

evasion of tax obligations уклонение от налоговых обязательств avoidance n уклонение

tax liability обязательства по уплате налогов

В. progressive income tax прогрессивный подоходный налог applicable adj применимый, пригодный, подходящий comparable adj сравнимый

excise tax акциз, акцизный налог charge n сбор, отчисление

Pension Fund Пенсионный фонд

Employment Fund Фонд занятости

Social Insurance Fund Фонд социального страхования Medical Insurance Fund Фонд медицинского страхования selling price продажная цена

sales problem проблема сбыта flat rate единообразная ставка reduced rate льготная ставка

tax allowance налоговая льгота tax break налоговая льгота

anxiety n беспокойство, обеспокоенность imputed tax вмененный налог

tax deferment отсрочка налога deprive v лишать

giant n гигант owe v быть должным

clear-cut and stable legislative base четкая и стабильная законодательная база hasty , ill-considered decisions скороспелые, плохо продуманные решения adversely adv отрицательно, неблагоприятно

affect v сказываться

to earn income получать доход

to rent equipment сдавать оборудование в аренду stifle v душить

EXERCISES

Ex. 1. Answer these questions:

A. 1. What are taxes?

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2.What are the purposes of direct and indirect taxation?

3.Are businesses taxed equally?

4.How is taxation levied in the UK?

5.What taxes are paid to the federal budget?

6.What bodies collect taxes?

7.Do taxpayers have the right to appeal against additional tax liability?

8.What is the difference between tax evasion and tax avoidance?

9.In what situations can incomes be taxed twice?

B. 1. What is the attitude towards taxes in Russia?

2.How are personal incomes taxed in Russia?

3.How are businesses taxed in Russia?

4.How do taxes on businesses in Russia compare with similar taxes in other countries?

5.Are there any tax breaks in Russia? What privileges exist for small businesses?

6. What's the attitude of government officials towards tax exemption and tax deferment?

7.Is tax collection satisfactory in Russia at the moment? What are the reasons for the poor collection of taxes?

8.Is there any discrimination against foreign companies?

9.Do Russian tax authorities draw on Western experience?

Ex. 2. Give derivatives of:

tax n	subject n	investment n	evasion n
provision n	treat v	audit n	avoidance n
influence n	assess v	appeal n	arrangement n

Ex. 3. Find English equivalents for the following Russian phrases from the text:

А. подоходный налог; налог на заработную плату; налог на жалованье служащих; налог на прибыль; налог на дивиденды; налог на рентные платежи; налог на процентный доход; налог на капитал; прямые налоги; косвенные налоги; покрывать издержки; процентные платежи по внешнему долгу; благосостояние общества; подлежать обложению налогом; относиться по-разному; доход после налогообложения; налоговая декларация; налог на добавленную стоимость; собирать налоги; проводить аудиторскую проверку; подавать апелляционную жалобу; незаконное уклонение от налоговых обязательств; задолженность по налоговым платежам;

В. применяется прогрессивный подоходный налог; верхний предел налоговой ставки; юридические лица, занимающиеся предпринимательской деятельностью; отчисления в Пенсионный фонд; эти налоги оплачиваются потребителями; единообразная ставка налога; облагать налогом по льготным ставкам; налоговые льготы; сбор налогов находится на низком уровне; стабильная законодательная база.

Ex. 4. Say in a few words what the main text is about. Use the opening phrases from Ex. 4 (Unit 1). Ex. 5. Sum up the contents of the main dialogue. Use the phrases from Ex. 5 (Unit 1).

Ex. 6. Read the dialogue, translate the Russian remarks into English and act it out:

Foreigner: The tax system in Russia has changed significantly over the years of the reforms. But businessmen and individuals still complain that the system of taxation is unfair and inadequate.

Russian: Да, это так. Несмотря на огромную работу в области налогового законодательства, проделанную за годы реформ, наша налоговая система постоянно критикуется представителями бизнеса, законодательной и исполнительной ветвями власти. Учитывая это, мы сейчас работаем над налоговым кодексом.

F.: What concept underlies this document?

R.: Прежде всего мы считаем необходимым снизить налоговое бремя на товаропроизводителя. Мы планируем сделать это путем снижения налоговых ставок, а также за счет постепенного увеличения налогов с физических лиц. Мы также намерены отменить многие налоговые льготы, которые лишают бюджет значительных налоговых доходов.

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F.: Our tax system is based on the same principles and it works rather well. From our experience I can say that more emphasis should also be placed on tax collection in your country.

R.: Вы абсолютно правы. Наше правительство принимает меры по повышению собираемости налогов, усиливает контроль за лицами, имеющими высокие доходы, за платежами в Пенсионный фонд. Мы пытаемся закрыть все лазейки (loopholes) для лиц, уклоняющихся от уплаты налогов. Вот суть нашей налоговой политики.

F.: Life shows that a system works effectively where the policies are right. Let's hope you are on the right way.

Ex. 7. Work on vocabulary and grammar.

a) Study the key words of the unit in the dictionary at the back of the book:

tax, taxation, tax allowance, tax breaks, tax concessions, tax benefits, tax exemptions;

b) Think of the verbs that are commonly used with:

tax, taxation, profits, revenue, complaint, claim, effects, non-compliance, tax rate, burden of taxation, privilege, income, exemptions;

c) Think of the nouns that are most often used with:

to levy, to collect, to tax, to impose, to introduce, to pay, to reduce, to avoid, to evade, to exempt;

d)Make your own sentences with any five word combinations from (b) and (c).

e)Match the verbs from (a) with nouns from (b) below:

a) to reduce	b) economic welfare
to improve	taxes
to correct	inequality
to increase	revenue
to check	imports
to withhold	business
to tax	adverse balance of payments

f) Write out from the main text international words like: contribution, authority, service, etc. Transcribe them and read aloud.

Ex. 8. a) Supply the articles where necessary.

b)Write down 3-5 questions about the texts.

c)Say if you have ever reclaimed your VAT.

a)If you thought duty-free was... only way to buy cut price goods in ... Europe, you'd be wrong. Tax-free shopping offers ... even greater number of discounts to visitors from outside ... EU and includes more than just... perfume,... alcohol and ... cigarettes.

The main difference between ... duty-free and ... tax-free shopping is that duty-free is available to everyone travelling within ... EU. Tax-free shopping, however, is ... perk only available to ... non-EU members flying into European countries, which adds up to around 100 million tourists each year. The Value-Added Tax normally included in ... price of goods is refunded when leaving ... EU.

Most goods are sold with VAT included in ... selling price. This ranges from ... 7 per cent for some goods in Germany to 25 per cent in Sweden and Denmark. In ... UK, VAT stands at 17.5 per cent. However, visitors only get ... saving of 14.8 per cent on ... purchase price as there is ... added fee for ... handling of the refund.

Tax-free shopping has become ... big business with tourists from non-EU countries spending huge sums every year. It's a simple system which means you receive ... cash-in-hand refund when you leave ... country. There is often a minimum sale of between $ 30 and $100 to qualify for... refund.

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After purchasing any goods ask for ... Tax-free Shopping Voucher which you need to reclaim your VAT. When you leave the EU ... vouchers must be stamped at... customs and all your purchases shown to them. The vouchers can then be cashed at... Refund Points.

Based on: European Businessman

Words you may need:

discount n скидка perk n преимущество

refund v возмещать, возвращать

handling of the refund оформление возврата (налога) cash-in-hand наличность

to qualify for refund получить право на получение возмещения reclaim v требовать обратно

voucher n квитанция, ваучер

d) Say what you have learned about the system of tax administration in the UK.

b) The British Government's programme of tax reform has sought to maintain ... climate in which business can thrive and individual initiative is rewarded. Its major aims are ... following: to keep ... tax burden as low as possible through firm control over public expenditure, to maintain ... broad tax base, which helps to keep tax rates low, and to shift the balance of taxation from taxes on income to taxes on expenditure. Steps have also been taken to close tax loopholes. The government is committed to simplifying ... administration of ... tax system, both for individuals and for companies. The government admits that there are four general principles for ... efficient administration of a tax system: ... clarity, continuity, cost-effectiveness and convenience.

At present, the Inland Revenue assesses and collects ... taxes on income, profits and capital, and stamp duty. Taxes on individual incomes are generally progressive in that larger incomes bear... greater amount of tax. In general, income tax is charged on all income which originates in ... Britain and on all income arising

abroad of people resident in Britain. Some forms of income, however, are exempt.

Britain has entered into ... agreements with many countries to provide relief from double taxation. Most wage and salary earners pay their income tax under a Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system whereby tax is deducted and accounted for to the Inland Revenue by the employer.

The rates of company tax in Britain are lower than in ... most other industrialized countries. A company which distributes profits to its shareholders is required to pay advance corporation tax (ACT) on these distributions to ... Inland Revenue.

Words you may need:

reward v вознаграждать tax base налоговая база loophole n лазейка

stamp duty гербовый сбор charge v взимать

advance corporation tax авансовый корпорационный налог

Ex. 9. a) Supply the prepositions where necessary.

b)Write down 3-5 questions about the text.

c)Explain the functions perfomed by excise duties.

What Is an Excise Duty?

Indirect taxes are divided ... general and special taxes ... consumption. The general tax on consumption, value-added tax, or VAT, is levied ... more or less all products and a large number of services. The special taxes on consumption are, ... the other hand, levied on specifically selected products and services. For historical reasons, they are generally known as excise duties.

As far as payments to the state are concerned, it is common to distinguish ... taxes and charges. A charge

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usually relates to the provision of a particular service or function ... the state. The charges paid to obtain a driving licence or a passport are typical cases.

Payment... a tax does not entail any direct counter-performance ... the part of the state. The revenue from taxation is used – via the state budget-to finance all government activities, including defence and the education system,... instance.

In the case of excise duties, the government does not provide any specific services ... those who pay these taxes. The revenue ... excise duties is stated ... the state budget. Therefore, these excise duties, even though they are sometimes called charges are in reality taxes in the true sense of the word.

Most of the excise duties in Sweden were introduced for other purposes than merely to provide income ... the state. They can, ... fact-in contrast ... other taxes-also be used as instruments to influence consumption patterns in a desirable direction for the society. The introduction of an excise duty is, as a rule, based ... both public finance requirements and other political considerations.

The taxes on energy, spirits, wine and tobacco are typical examples of excise duties used as instruments ...

influence. They are also some of the oldest Swedish excise duties. The charge ... pesticides and insecticides is another, more recent example of an excise duty which was introduced to restrict the usage of pesticides and insecticides ... health and environmental reasons.

In Sweden excise duties now account... a significant proportion of the state's revenue. The annual cost to the Swedish government of administering excise duties (personnel, premises, computers, etc.) amounts ... 0.06 per cent of the total revenue from these taxes.

Words you may need:

excise duty акцизная пошлина, акциз distinguish v проводить различие relate (to) v быть связанным

entail v влечь за собой counter-performance n ответное действие via prep через

amount (to) v достигать, составлять

Ex. 10. Open the brackets putting the verbs in the correct form:

Tax Reform in Developing Countries

In 1985, the government of Jamaica (to embark) on a comprehensive tax reform. This reform (to include) changes in the personal income tax, the company tax, and indirect taxes. The reforms of the personal income tax were particularly profound. A complicated, narrowly-based individual income tax levied under a progressive statutory rate (to replace) by a broadly-based single-rate tax in 1986. Before the reform, the highest marginal tax rate of 60 per cent (including payroll taxes) was reached at the relatively low annual income level of less than three times per capita GDP. The provisions of the tax code were complicated, with no standard deduction and sixteen separate credits. In addition, employers could grant nontaxable allowances to employees. The resulting tax system was difficult and costly to administer and (to contain) important disincentives; evasion and avoidance all but negated the progressivity of the statutory rate structure.

Under the reformed system, the complex rate structure (to replace) with a single rate of 33 1/3 percent; the 16 tax credits were replaced with a standard deduction equal to two times per capita GDP; most non-taxable allowances (to incorporate) into the tax base; and interest income was included in the tax base. Initial results (to suggest) that the combination of a higher standard deduction, a broadened base, and a lower flat rate (to improve) administration, increased the progressivity of the tax system, and raised tax yields.

The government of Indonesia (to adopt) a major tax reform in late 1983. An important aspect of this reform was the wholesale elimination of tax incentives for investment. Before 1983, numerous incentives in the investment code (to design) to favor specific industries, promote exports, develop remote regions, promote technology transfers, strengthen the stock exchange, and even encourage firms to be audited by public accountants. The numerous, and often contradictory, tax incentives created a complicated system unable to fulfil its revenue function or to serve the special purposes originally intended. Further, such incentives (to create) effective tax rates that varied both between and within sectors and thus misallocated the capital stock. Tax reform (to eliminate) nearly all special tax incentives, allowing the company tax rate to be reduced. The

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simplified incentive system was intended to minimize tax-induced intersectoral preferences, while the lowered company tax rate provided more uniform benefit to all investors.

Words you may need:

embark (on) v приступать к чему-л.

comprehensive adj обширный; масштабный; всеобъемлющий profound adj глубокий

disincentive n отрицательное воздействие negate v сводить на нет

statutory adj основанный на законе incorporate v включать

tax yield налоговый доход

Ex. 11. a) FIB each gap with a suitable word from the box.

b) Sum up the text in 5-7 sentences and present your summary in class.

over	major	taxes	present
intended	times	change	improve
system	businesses	enterprises	register
hampers
		Tax Administration

The tax system in Russia has changed significantly_______the past five years. One of the_______ changes has occurred in the institutional structure of the country's tax administration. The Taxation Ministry, which is_______for the administration of all major taxes, was reorganized in 1991.

This institutional_______in the structure of the Ministry has been accompanied by numerous changes of the revenue structure of the_______ . Not only have new_______been introduced (the value-added tax and the expanded property tax, among others), the revenue-sharing arrangements have also been adjusted a number of times over the last five years. Tax rates themselves have changed a number of _______ over the last five years. Additionally, the privatization of_______and the growth of new businesses have left the Ministry with an increased responsibility to locate and_______ taxpayers. The growth in the number of self-employed businesses is particularly problematic because these_______have a higher rate of non-compliance worldwide since locating evaders is difficult.

Computerization is not widespread, which _______ collection efficiency even more, and prosecution against evaders is difficult. Finally, the development of new systems of accounting and audit is necessary to_______the efficiency of tax collection.

Some of the problems in the area of tax administration are new to Russia, such as the development of new enterprises, the change in the structure of the Ministry, development of international systems of accounting, and increased commerce with foreign firms. These problems continue to exist under the_______system of taxation as well.

Words you may need:

tax administration система сбора налогов, налоговое ведомство self-employed business самостоятельное, некорпоративное предприятие

to locate evaders обнаруживать, выявлять уклоняющихся от уплаты налогов widespread adj широко распространенный

prosecution n преследование

DISCUSSION

Ex. 12. a) Read and discuss the text.

b)Sum up the text in 5-7 sentences and present your summary in class.

c)Give your opinion on "tax havens".

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Tax Havens Explained

What do the Bahamas, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Liberia, the Netherlands, the New Hebrides, Panama, and Switzerland have in common? They are all "tax havens".

Essentially, a tax haven is a place where foreigners may receive income or own assets without paying high rates of tax upon them. Although, strictly speaking, not all tax havens are countries, we can refer to them as such here for the sake of convenience. In some havens the tax relief that foreigners enjoy stems from the absence of the chief forms of direct taxation – income, estate, and gift taxes; but in most countries the relief stems from special features of the tax system that result in a very low effective tax rate on certain forms of foreign investment.

Even though the list of tax havens includes several developed countries, most are developing countries. It is precisely their example that other developing countries are tempted to follow, in the hope that becoming a tax haven will help them solve some of their economic problems.

Tax haven operations consist fundamentally in establishing within a tax haven country one or more legal entities, such as trusts, personal holding companies, or corporate subsidiaries, and attributing to them income earned elsewhere in order that it should be taxed at the country's low rates-or perhaps not taxed at all. This objective is usually accomplished by either (1) accumulating income in the tax haven country at low rates of tax to be withdrawn later and invested elsewhere according to the investor's wishes; or (2) artificially shifting business profits from high-tax countries to a tax haven country.

Low tax rates are perhaps the principal attraction offered by tax havens. Usually these low rates are associated with income taxation; in fact, what springs to mind immediately upon hearing the words "tax haven" is the absence of income taxation that exempts foreign investors. Though it is true that many of the advantages offered by tax haven countries are income tax advantages, these are by no means the only benefit that these countries offer to foreign investors.

Within the tax field, the absence of other taxes such as estate, inheritance, and gift taxes may be as important to certain investors as the absence of an income tax. Bilateral tax treaties between a tax haven country and some of the major developed countries are another feature that may attract investors. The existence of a tax treaty allows third-country investors to base their holding companies in tax havens and obtain a reduction in withholding taxes applied to the dividends and interest they receive from developed countries with which the tax haven country has the tax treaty.

Strict and well-enforced rules of banking secrecy and, in general, the possibility of doing business without close supervision by government agencies are additional attractions usually offered by tax haven countries. Other factors, such as the low cost of doing business, the existence of liberal banking regulations, and the absence of exchange controls are also important. Finally, a good communications service, a well-developed legal system with an abundance of legal and accounting expertise, and, above all, a high degree of political and financial stability also help to make a country successful as a tax haven.

Words you may need:

tax haven налоговое убежище strictly speaking строго говоря

for the sake of convenience из соображений удобства tax relief налоговая льгота

enjoy v (зд.) пользоваться

to stem from происходить, проистекать из estate tax налог на недвижимость

gift tax налог на дарение

to be tempted испытывать соблазн trust n траст

holding company холдинговая компания subsidiary n дочерняя компания

attribute v приписывать (кому-л.), относить (за счет/на счет чего-л.) accomplish v осуществлять

accumulate v аккумулировать, накапливать withdraw v (зд.) забирать, отбирать artificially adv искусственно

shift v перемещать

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