International Tax Dialogues International Fiscal Association (SINGAPORE BRANCH) The ITD is a series of discussions and interactive technical sessions on key emerging issues in international taxation. The topics are global, contemporary and practical. The discussions shall be led by international tax experts who will explain and take you through the various nuances and technical issues, followed by in-depth discussions. Each session is around 1.5 hours in the evening and participants will also be provided light snacks and refreshments. All sessions will be held at EY Knowledge@Central (One Raffles Quay, North Tower, Level 14 Singapore 048583) from 6.30 8pm. Come join us for our next series of 3 hot topics (Free for IFA members). 1. Discussion Moderator Nico Derksen, International Tax Management 17 May 2016, Tuesday BEPS Action 5: Harmful Tax Practices and the Call for Substance and Nexus Harmful tax practices have been narrowed down in Action 5 to certain rulings and preferential tax regimes. We will discuss what rulings will need to be included under the compulsory yet spontaneous exchange mechanism, in order to come to a proper level of transparency. We will further discuss the covered preferential regimes and especially what the working group considers sufficient substance and nexus to meet the set requirements. 2. Discussion Moderator Allen Tan, Baker & McKenzie.Wong & Leow 7 July 2016, Thursday Stamp Duty on Share Transfers in Group Restructuring Pitfalls for the Unwary It is generally known that transfers of shares in a Singapore company trigger stamp duty, but relief may be available under Section 15 of the Stamp Duties Act (Cap. 312) if the transfers are pursuant to a group restructuring. There are, however, detailed conditions prescribed for relief and the application of such conditions may give rise to complex and unforeseen issues. In this session, we will discuss the common issues relating to stamp duty in the context of a group restructuring exercise and share our experience in planning for such issues. 3. Discussion Moderator Kor Bing Keong, Ernst & Young Solutions LLP 23 August 2016, Tuesday Indirect tax on the digital economy: what s next after BEPS? The evolution of technology has led to radical changes in business models over the years. It has dramatically increased the ability of consumers to shop online and the ability of businesses to sell around the world. The scale of cross-border trading of goods and services in the digital economy poses new tax and regulatory challenges. For example, it can affect a country s indirect tax revenue collection and the level playing field between overseas and domestic suppliers. We will discuss the indirect tax challenges surrounding the digital economy, the recommendations under Action 1 of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) report issued by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the steps taken by countries to address these indirect tax challenges.
Cost 3 Sessions Per Session (participants to confirm and make payment before 13 May 2016) IFA Individual members FREE FREE IFA Corporate members FREE for up to 2 persons per firm FREE for up to 2 persons per firm SIATP and STEP members S$30 S$80 Others S$40 S$100 CPE hours: 1.5/session A certificate of attendance will be provided after each session. Registration Please send details including name, designation, company, email, contact number and type of membership (IFA/SIATP/STEP) to enquiries@ifasingapore.org About IFA Singapore The International Fiscal Association (IFA) is a non-governmental and non-sectorial international organisation dealing with fiscal matters. Its objects are the study and advancement of international and comparative law in regard to public finance, specifically international and comparative fiscal law and the financial and economic aspects of taxation. In support of IFA s objects, the Singapore Branch holds regular seminars and seeks to provide a unique platform for discussion on international tax matters. IFA Membership Rates (Entrance fee will be waived for 2016) Individual membership - $180 per annum Corporate membership - $380 per annum Benefits of IFA Membership Events and Seminars IFA Singapore holds events and seminars on a range of international tax topics. IFA members are entitled to attend these sessions at attractive rates. Annual Congresses Hosted by one of IFA s branches, the Annual Congress provides an opportunity for an exchange of knowledge and experience with respect to fiscal law. The Congress programme is supplemented by a choice of seminars, covering more technical subjects, whether international in character or focused on the law of jurisdiction where the Congress is being held. Cahiers 2 Cahiers are published annually and distributed free of charge to all members of the Association. They contain a wealth of domestic and international material in dealing with the subjects to be discussed at the following Congress. These publications comprise of IFA Branch Reports together with a General Report on each of the two subjects selected for the Congress of that year. The Cahiers are an invaluable source of information of lasting scientific value for any specialist interested in international or comparative fiscal law. Becoming an IFA member Please find the Corporate and Individual membership forms attached at the end of this document.
Discussion Moderator Nico Derksen Allen Tan Kor Bing Keong Bio Nico holds a masters in Dutch tax law, and has been accredited in Singapore as a tax advisor by the SIATP. He is an executive committee member of the Singapore chapter of the International Fiscal Association, and associated with UniSim s School of Business where he teaches Cross Border Tax Planning at the Master course. Nico started his career in 1992 at the Dutch revenue service, and joined EY s international tax services in 2000. For EY he has held roles in the Netherlands, US, Slovenia, India, and since 2010 Singapore. In 2012 he started International Tax Management Pte Ltd ( ITM ) a boutique firm offering personalized and tailored international tax advice to a wide range of corporations around the globe. Allen has extensive experience working on both international and local tax issues, with special focus on international tax aspects of the transactions he is involved in. His practice also includes advising clients on tax issues arising from mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity fund structuring, indirect taxes, transfer taxes, tax controversies, foreign direct investment and cross-border tax planning issues. He also advises on customs and free trade agreements. Allen previously handled a mixture of commercial and employment work, as well as advised on cross-border M&A. His diverse experience has proven invaluable in factoring both commercial and practical elements into his tax solutions for his clients. In addition, Allen advises on wealth management matters for both high net worth families and institutional clients. Allen has been recognized as a leading tax lawyer by industry publications including Chambers Asia and International Tax Review. Bing Keong is a partner with the Indirect Tax GST Services practice at Ernst & Young Solutions LLP (EY). He has more than 20 years of experience in handling GST compliance, planning and consultancy work for local and multinational businesses. He was involved in both Singapore and Malaysia GST implementation and was also appointed by the World Bank as a short-term consultant on a Value Added Tax project. Bing Keong regularly speaks at public forums organized by EY and other organizations and contributes articles on GST to newspapers as well as EY publications. He conducts GST guest lectures at the Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University and also served as the lead examiner for the advanced GST course organized by the Tax Academy. Bing Keong is an Accredited Tax Advisor (GST) of Singapore Institute of Accredited Tax Professionals and he holds a master s degree in Business Administration (Business Law) from Nanyang Technological University.
Chairman : Shanker Iyer Vice Chairman : Pieter de Ridder Secretary : Aileen Chung Treasurer : Peter Godber CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM PLEASE COMPLETE IN PRINT OR TYPE: COMPANY : NATURE OF BUSINESS : MAILING ADDRESS : TELEPHONE NO. : EMAIL ADDRESS: CONTACT PERSON: POSITION : FACSIMILE NO.: ENTRANCE FEE: S$120 MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION 2016 S$380 CORPORATE ENCLOSED CHEQUE NUMBER PAYABLE TO INTERNATIONAL FISCAL ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE BRANCH) AND CROSSED A/C PAYEE ONLY, COVERING THE ENTRANCE FEE AND MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE FIRST YEAR. DATE: PLEASE MAIL TO: SIGNATURE: Mr. SHANKER IYER INTERNATIONAL FISCAL ASSOCIATION - SINGAPORE BRANCH C/O Shanker Iyer Consultants Pte Ltd 80 Raffles Place #26-01 UOB Plaza 1 Singapore 048624 NOTE: Corporate members are entitled to send two delegates to the IFA s annual congress and to receive two sets of the Cahiers de Droit Fiscal International. Revised: April 2016
Chairman : Shanker Iyer Vice Chairman : Pieter de Ridder Secretary : Aileen Chung Treasurer : Peter Godber INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM PLEASE COMPLETE IN PRINT OR TYPE: NAME (PLEASE UNDERLINE SURNAME): COMPANY : NATURE OF BUSINESS : POSITION : PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS : DATE OF BIRTH (ONLY IF CLAIMING THE 50% DISCOUNT OFF MEMBERSHIP FEE SEE BELOW) MAILING ADDRESS : TEL. NO. (OFFICE) : FAX. NO. : TEL. NO. (HOME): EMAIL ADDRESS: ENTRANCE FEE: S$120 MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION 2016 S$180 INDIVIDUAL/$90.00** ** Discounted Subscription for under 30s: IFA is offering a 50% discount off the membership fee for Individual IFA Branch members under 30 years of age on 1 st January 2016. ENCLOSED CHEQUE NUMBER PAYABLE TO INTERNATIONAL FISCAL ASSOCIATION (SINGAPORE BRANCH) AND CROSSED A/C PAYEE ONLY, COVERING THE ENTRANCE FEE AND MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE FIRST YEAR. DATE: PLEASE MAIL TO : SIGNATURE: Mr. SHANKER IYER INTERNATIONAL FISCAL ASSOCIATION - SINGAPORE BRANCH C/O Shanker Iyer Consultants Pte Ltd 80 Raffles Place #26-01 UOB Plaza 1 Singapore 048624 Revised: April 2016