Particle.news

OECD Nations Revise Global Minimum Tax, Grant Carve‑Outs for U.S.-Parented Multinationals

The overhaul prioritizes U.S. tax sovereignty and leaves the global revenue impact uncertain.

Overview

  • More than 145 countries agreed to update the 2021 pact, preserving the 15% framework but reshaping how it applies to large American groups.
  • The revision effectively shields U.S.-parented companies from key top‑up mechanisms such as the income inclusion and undertaxed profits rules through a side‑by‑side approach.
  • OECD officials said the package reduces complexity and protects tax bases, while the U.S. Treasury hailed it as a victory for domestic control over American firms’ worldwide income.
  • Tax watchdogs, including the FACT Coalition and economists like Gabriel Zucman, criticized the changes as a retreat that could weaken enforcement against profit shifting.
  • The OECD’s prior extra‑revenue estimate stands at $192 billion before factoring in U.S. carve‑outs, and implementation work continues with new safe harbors and compliance simplifications.