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The taxation of foreign profits - the old view, the new view and a pragmatic view

Author

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  • Johannes Becker

    (Institute of Public Economics I, University of Muenster)

  • Clemens Fuest

    (Oxford University Centre for Business Taxation)

Abstract

In this short paper, we review the criticism of the standard view (the ’old view’) of foreign profit taxation which goes back to Peggy Musgrave (née Richman, 1963). This ?new view of international taxation is based on recent empirical studies and favours a system where foreign profits are exempt from tax. We critically discuss the debate between old view and new view proponents and, finally, confront the two with a ?pragmatic view on foreign profit taxation which crucially builds on compliance and tax administration cost.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes Becker & Clemens Fuest, 2011. "The taxation of foreign profits - the old view, the new view and a pragmatic view," Working Papers 1104, Oxford University Centre for Business Taxation.
    • Handle: RePEc:btx:wpaper:1104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Liberini, Federica, 2014. "Corporate Taxes and the Growth of the Firm," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1042, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    3. Dominika Langenmayr & Li Liu, 2020. "Where Does Multinational Profit Go with Territorial Taxation? Evidence from the UK," CESifo Working Paper Series 8047, CESifo.
    4. Langenmayr, Dominika & Liu, Li, 2023. "Home or away? Profit shifting with territorial taxation," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    5. Abel Ezeoha & Akinyinka Akinyoade & Ifediora Amobi & Ogbuagu Ekumankama & Paul Kamau & Agnieszka Kazimierczuk & Catherine Mukoko & Ifeanyi Okoye & Chibuike Uche, 2022. "Multinationals, Capital Export, and the Inclusive Development Debate in Developing Countries: The Nigerian Insight," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(5), pages 2224-2250, October.
    6. Kudła, Janusz & Kopczewska, Katarzyna & Stachowiak-Kudła, Monika, 2023. "Trade, investment and size inequalities between countries and the asymmetry in double taxation agreements," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate Taxation; Multinational Firms; Repatriation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business

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