BEFIT: One-Stop-Shop or One-More-Stop?
On 12 September, the European Commission released a proposal called “Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation” (BEFIT) and two associated proposals on transfer pricing and a Head of Office tax system.
Expert
Daniel Bunn
President and CEO
Daniel Bunn is President and CEO of the Tax Foundation. Daniel has been with the organization since 2018 and, prior to becoming President, successfully built its Center for Global Tax Policy, expanding the Tax Foundation’s reach and impact around the world.
Prior to joining the Tax Foundation, Daniel worked in the United States Senate at the Joint Economic Committee as part of Senator Mike Lee’s (R-UT) Social Capital Project and on the policy staff for both Senator Lee and Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). In his time in the Senate, Daniel developed legislative initiatives on tax, trade, regulatory, and budget policy.
He has a master’s degree in Economic Policy from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Greenville University in South Carolina.
Daniel lives in Halethorpe, Maryland, with his wife and their three children.
Written Works
How the Moore Supreme Court Case Could Reshape Taxation of Unrealized Income
A major case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court (Moore v. United States) is calling into question provisions on large portions of the U.S. tax base which could quickly become legally uncertain, putting significant revenue at stake.
Select Country-Level Revenue Estimates for Pillar Two
Pillar Two implementation is underway in many jurisdictions, and many governments are aiming to get their proposals approved before the end of 2023. However, estimating Pillar Two’s impact on government revenue is proving difficult. As a result, only a few countries have publicly presented their findings.
Global Tax Tug of War: Comparing the UN and OECD Approaches
The United Nations (UN) is preparing to flex its muscles on international tax policy. Several developing countries say the OECD’s approach favors richer countries at their expense, and the UN hopes to fix this.
Weeding the Garden of International Tax
Simplifying international tax rules will not solve all the challenges that stand in the way of healthy cross-border investment, but eliminating unnecessary provisions would be a positive pivot relative to the trajectory of recent years. It’s high time that policymakers stopped pursuing ever more complex rules and started the hard work of simplification.
The Latest on the Global Tax Agreement
The agreement represents a major change for tax competition, and many countries will be rethinking their tax policies for multinationals in light of it. However, with both the U.S. and EU hitting roadblocks in their respective legislative processes, it is unclear when or even if the agreement will be implemented. If implementation fails, a return to a world of distortive European digital services taxes and retaliatory American tariffs could be on the horizon.
Repealing Inflation Reduction Act’s Energy Credits Would Raise $663 Billion, JCT Projects
The price tag of the Inflation Reduction Act’s green energy tax credits is much higher than originally thought. Among other things, the updated analysis indicates the Inflation Reduction Act does not reduce deficits after all.
New Ways & Means Proposal Shows Continued Commitment to Combat Extraterritorial Taxes
The legislation follows from the bipartisan concern regarding tax policies adopted by other countries specifically targeting U.S. businesses or the U.S. tax base.
The U.S. Tax Burden on Labor, 2023
Although the U.S. has a progressive tax system and a relatively low tax burden compared to the OECD average, average-wage workers still pay more than 30 percent of their wages in taxes.
Testimony: U.S. International Tax Policies That Support Investment and Innovation
Even in the face of a global minimum tax, Congress still has a chance to develop a strategic approach in support of U.S. investment and innovation.
The Role of Pro-Growth Tax Policy and Private Investment in the European Union’s Green Transition
Permanent full expensing is an efficient and neutral tax policy that will allow markets to allocate private investment effectively while moving the economy towards the climate goals of the EU.
Insights into the Tax Systems of Scandinavian Countries
Scandinavian countries are well known for their broad social safety net and their public funding of services such as universal health care, higher education, parental leave, and child and elderly care. So how do Scandinavian countries raise their tax revenues?
Worldwide Investment at Risk as Policies Critical to Capital Investment Phase Out
At a moment when countries are trying to make production more environmentally friendly and shore up supply chain weaknesses, capital investment is critical. Rather than adopt temporary policies that phase out and expire, policymakers should focus their efforts on long-term reforms to support investment.
Temporary Full Expensing Arrives in the UK
The UK’s adoption of full expensing is a welcome step that may generate short-run economic benefits. However, for the reform to have a meaningful effect on the UK’s international competitiveness and long-run economic performance, it must be made permanent—which the British government has said it hopes to do.
Tax Foundation Response to UN Request for Public Input on Inclusive and Effective Tax Cooperation
Sound tax policy should be based on the principles of simplicity, stability, transparency, and neutrality.
Sources of U.S. Tax Revenue by Tax Type, 2023
Different taxes have different economic effects, so policymakers should always consider how tax revenue is raised and not just how much is raised.
Sources of Government Revenue in the OECD, 2023
Designing tax policy in a way that sustainably finances government activities while minimizing distortions is important for supporting a productive economy.
What the OECD’s Pillar Two Impact Assessment Misses
The process leading to the global minimum tax has been messy, and the mess will likely continue for years to come. New revenues are hardly a salve for the setback they represent.
Digital Services Taxes: Is There an End in Sight?
As it stands, Pillar One would usher in the end of many digital services taxes (though perhaps not all) at the cost of increased complexity (in an already complex and uncertain system).
How the Inflation Reduction Act Affects the Future of U.S.-EU Tax and Trade Cooperation
the Inflation Reduction Act gives us a glimpse into a future where the U.S. and EU opt for protectionist tax and trade policies rather than implementing principled tax policies and reducing trade barriers between allies.