Contents
In the business world, double taxation is a situation in which income taxes are levied on the same source of revenue twice. This can occur when a corporation earns a profit and then distributes it to shareholders as dividends. Then, the shareholders will again be taxed on these earnings as part of their personal income tax return. It can also happen when income is taxed by two different countries. This happens often with international trade and investments.
Double taxation can be avoided by using strategies that minimize or eliminate the tax burden on profits. One way to do this is to have a corporation retain its profits instead of distributing them to shareholders. This will allow the corporation to keep and use the money for growth. Another strategy is to take out only a portion of the profits as salary (taxable on the owner’s level) and leave the rest for reinvestment in the corporation. This will reduce the amount of taxes paid by the owners while still allowing them to use the profits for growth.
Corporate Double Taxation
Let’s assume a corporation is taxed on its profits, and when those profits are distributed as dividends, shareholders are taxed again on the dividends received. In this situation, the following can be done to avoid double taxation:
- Implement an integration system where corporate income taxes and individual dividend taxes are integrated into a single tax system. This allows shareholders to offset their individual tax liability with corporate taxes paid.
- Adopt a dividend imputation system where dividends are accompanied by a tax credit representing the corporate tax already paid on the profits. Shareholders can use this credit to offset their individual tax liability.
International Business Income
Assume a multinational company operates in multiple countries and earns income in each jurisdiction. It may be subject to taxation in both the home and foreign countries where the income is generated. In this situation, the following can be done to avoid double taxation:
- Utilize tax treaties between countries to avoid or minimize double taxation. Tax treaties provide rules for income allocation, tax credits, or reduced tax rates.
- Claim a foreign tax credit in the home country for taxes paid to the foreign country, reducing the tax liability in the home country.
- Some countries exempt specific types of income earned abroad from taxation. Explore if any exemptions apply to the income earned in the foreign country.
Estate and Inheritance Taxes
Assume assets located in one country are subject to estate or inheritance taxes in that country, and when inherited or received by beneficiaries residing in another country, they may be subject to taxes in that country as well. In this situation, the following can be done to avoid double taxation:
- Utilize tax treaties that allocate taxing rights based on asset location or residency of the deceased person or recipient. These treaties may provide relief from double taxation.
- Engage in estate planning to minimize or avoid double taxation. This may involve using trusts, gifting assets during the lifetime, or other strategies to distribute or structure assets in a tax-efficient manner.
Cross-Border Employment Income:
An individual works in a foreign country and earns income there, taxed in both the home and host countries. In this situation, the following can be done to avoid double taxation:
- Refer to tax treaties to determine the tax liability and to provide relief from double taxation. Tax treaties often have provisions to avoid or minimize double taxation on employment income.
- Claim a foreign tax credit in the home country for taxes paid to the host country, reducing the overall tax liability.
- Some countries exempt specific types of employment income earned abroad from taxation. Check if any exemptions are applicable to the income earned in the host country.
It’s important to note that the specific solutions may vary based on the countries involved and their tax laws. Seeking guidance from tax professionals or experts well-versed in international tax matters is recommended for personalized advice in each specific case.
