Business Taxation in Global Economy

On 8 October 2021 over 130 countries agreed to reform the international business tax system in the most meaningful way since its foundations were set in the 1920s. This was the culmination of a lengthy process of reform that was by sparked by public anger at the tax planning practices of multinationals, dissatisfaction with the way multinationals’ profit was shared among countries for tax purposes, and concern that competition among states was leading to a race to the bottom. There is little doubt that the system was in desperate need of reform, but only time will tell if the German Finance Minister was justified in claiming that this “agreement which will really change the world”.

This process of reform, and the political and public debates that accompanied it, showed that business taxation is more than a technical area of law with practical significance. It is an area of law that raises economic, political, and justice questions of fundamental importance. These questions have become even more acute at a time of widespread concerns with rising economic inequality, and an increased need for tax revenue post-pandemic.

This course provides a rounded view of business taxation in a global economy. It combines a rigorous analysis of law with an understanding of concepts from economics and other disciplines that are indispensable to engage with these broader economic, political and justice questions. 

Assessment is by way of an examination.