International Tax Competition in Corporate Income Taxation: recent trends in OECD Countries

Abstract

This dissertation has the aim to collect some information from official European sources regarding OECD countries and their approach to corporate income taxation world, both in terms of basic tax rates and tax base and to the extent of deductible interests and allowances offered to companies. Foreign direct investment (FDI) policies adopted by different jurisdictions will also be analyzed, with a focus on multinationals’ expansion and limitation of such growth opportunities. The analysis will then shift towards a more-centered economic approach, analyzing differences in business location decisions based upon evidences of effective tax rates, marginal and average. The dissertation covers also a case study focused on the new taxation consequences after Brexit in the UK: the country is insert inside a benchmark analysis, both compared to its historical data but in particular against its main competitors such as Germany, Italy, France and Scandinavian region. Finally, some solutions and potential harmonization opportunities are discussed, offering a wide perspective about all potential benefits deriving from such strong competition together with those inconvenient losses experienced by most of governments in this race-to-the-bottom for attracting countries, at their own expenses.