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Branch Profits Tax Rules: Calculating and Reporting Dividend Equivalent Amounts and Identifying Exemptions

Completing Form 1120-F Section III, Computing Tax on Excess Interest, and Planning to Minimize Branch Profits Tax

Recording of a 110-minute CPE webinar with Q&A

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Conducted on Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Recorded event now available

This course will provide corporate tax advisers with a practical and comprehensive guide to planning and calculations related to the branch profits tax. The panel will detail steps needed to calculate the dividend equivalent amount (DEA) that constitutes the base for computing the branch profits tax, discuss the impact of FIRPTA gains and losses on branch profits calculations, and offer guidance on exceptions from DEA that can serve to minimize the tax.

Description

A critical factor for entities owned by foreign companies is navigating the requirements of the branch profits tax rules. When a foreign company establishes a branch to operate in the U.S., that branch is subject to a tax of 30% of all “deemed withdrawals” of its “effectively connected earnings and profits” (ECEP) under the branch transaction rules of Section 884. Tax advisers must fully grasp not only the mechanics of calculating this tax, but also the impact of the rules in determining a non-U.S. taxpayer company’s form of investment in the U.S.

Calculation of the branch profits tax is often complicated by complexities arising from both the determination of the tax base on which the tax is imposed and the timing of imposition of the tax. Additionally, gain derived from certain dispositions of assets held by the foreign parent may also be subject to branch profits tax, which may result in double taxation of certain income of the parent company. Navigating the requirements of Form 1120F is crucial for tax professionals advising foreign branch operations.

The Code, as well as tax treaties, provide some limitations and exemptions from the branch profits tax, as does FIRPTA. For some FIRPTA assets, gain is not included in ECEP calculations and is exempt from the branch profits tax; other FIRPTA gains are subject to the branch profits tax. Tax advisers need to know the impact of this tax on transactions for both compliance an planning purposes.

Listen as our group of experienced tax advisers provides a thorough and practical guide to the branch profits tax rules of Section 897, and offers useful instruction on completing Form 1120F.

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Outline

  1. Mechanics of the branch profits tax
  2. Determining taxable income
    1. Effectively connected earnings and profits
    2. Dividend equivalent amount
    3. Excess interest
    4. Exceptions and exemptions
  3. Completing Form 1120-F
  4. Impact of FIRPTA on branch profits tax calculations
  5. Tax treaties
  6. Structuring U.S. activities

Benefits

The panel will discuss these and other important topics:

  • How to identify and calculate the various components of a branch profits tax computation under Section 897
  • Identifying DEAs for timing purposes
  • Recognizing when FIRPTA income is—and is not—subject to the branch profits tax
  • Common tax treaty exceptions to the Code provisions determining gains and income subject to the branch profits tax
  • Common mistakes in completing Form 1120F and how to avoid them

Faculty

John D. Bates
John D. Bates
Partner
BakerHostetler

Mr. Bates practices corporate and international tax law, focusing on tax planning and transactional matters. He has...  |  Read More

Misey, Robert
Robert J. (Rob) Misey, Jr.
Shareholder
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren

Mr. Misey, Jr. is chair of the firm’s International Practice. He serves with a wide range of clients involved in...  |  Read More