On 1 July 2021, 130 countries in the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework (IF) on BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) approved a historic statement providing a framework for reform of international tax rules with the ambition of resolving the tax challenges created by digitalisation.
Ireland reserved its position with respect to this July statement, maintaining that any agreement must create certainty for countries and businesses, in particular with respect to the future minimum effective rate of corporation tax that might apply under these proposed rules.
Having secured a commitment that the effective minimum rate of tax imposed on the profits of multinational groups under the agreement would be limited to 15%, Ireland joined the OECD/IF statement released on 8 October 2021, along with 135 other countries. This statement provided a crucial outline of the proposed two-pillar approach to reform of international taxation.
Pillar One aligns taxing rights more closely with local market engagement and departs from using physical presence as a nexus.