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Dutch Shell Companies and International Tax Planning

Author

Listed:
  • Arjan Lejour

    (CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis)

  • Jan Möhlmann

    (CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis)

  • Maarten van 't Riet

    (CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis)

  • Thijs Benschop

Abstract

This paper uses the financial statements of special purpose entities (SPEs) for explaining the origin and destination of dividend, interest, and royalty flows passing the Netherlands. We find that Bermuda is the most important destination for royalty flows. These flows come from Ireland, Singapore and the United States. For dividend and interest payments the geographical pattern is more widespread. We find a substantial tax reduction for royalties by using Dutch SPEs compared to a direct flow between the origin and destination country. However, we cannot find such tax savings for dividends and interest with an approximation based on statutory tax rates. This Discussion Paper reports research on the financial flows already presented in the CPB Policy Brief of 24 January 2019: Conduit country the Netherlands in the spotlight.

Suggested Citation

  • Arjan Lejour & Jan Möhlmann & Maarten van 't Riet & Thijs Benschop, 2019. "Dutch Shell Companies and International Tax Planning," CPB Discussion Paper 402, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpb:discus:402
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm

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