Almost. 200 participants joined the International Tax Conference online Russell Bedford 2021, held in days 17–18 June. Opening this year's conference, President Russell Bedford, Bruce Saward, in his welcome and introduction praised the Central Office team for further success in operating the network during the pandemic, the board Russell Bedford for innovation and improvement in the way we operate and, of course, members Russell Bedford For their admirable support and dedication to the service of their customers.
first The session of the day was conducted by Jennifer D. Lindy, Esq. (Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, Attorneys-at-Law – Atlanta) who discussed tax and legal compliance issues with regard to foreign trusts and foreign investment challenges in the US.
It is wonderful to witness the energy of our meetings, which I still see on the Internet. Our members feed on each other's energy and enthusiasm, and sharing different insights and experiences is the way they continue to learn and develop
Hank Moonen (TaxModel – Netherlands) led a session titled Tax Technology and the journey to Tax Advisory 2.0. – about technology. He discussed why tax technology is important, referring to internal and external factors. Hank presented basic knowledge of the landscape of tax technologies and explained how to apply it in practice while providing insight into the products that companies should consider.
The day ended with a discussion panel “Taxes after Brexit – key changes in selected jurisdictions”, led by Stephan Strothenke (Halle, Westphalia), joined by panelists Francesco Cicculli (Rome), Jacobo García-Nieto (Barcelona), Gordon Hayden (Dublin). ) and Iaina Lundie (Belfast).
Gordon Hayden, recognizing the difficulties faced by companies today, identified this moment as an opportunity, saying: “A great change gives a great opportunity; we get a great opportunity to sell our services to customers.
Companies in the UK intend to use Ireland as a gateway to the EU, which would result in us being able to attract several new customers to provide such support." Stephan Strothenke added: "It is not enough to set up a company or mailbox in an EU Member State; you need substance, you need presence in a country, including employees there." Iain Lundie touched on the complexity of shopping in the UK, now “the country third”, and the resulting problems with shipping to Ireland.
He said: “To deal with VAT when selling to the UK, which before Brexit may be subject 24-hourly return, it now takes much longer and often involves additional challenges, such as unrealised deliveries."
President Russell Bedford, Stephen Hamlet, started second day welcome and update on the Network for Members. Stephen spoke about the diversity of the network and about the fundamental values that make everyone associated with Russell Bedford responsible for their words and actions when representing the network.
Speaking of the incredible development the network has seen despite the challenges of last year, he congratulated everyone who contributed to the impressive 13% increase in the number of members.
This result was achieved not only by adding several new members, but also by net growth among existing members that are still developing, despite such adversities.
Stephen welcomed new members who joined the network since last year's International Tax Conference, and shared news about a recently completed IT modernisation project to improve the global website, intranet and directory application – this is part of a network development strategy that focuses on attracting new member companies and increasing the experience of current members around the world.
Jeremy Mindell (Primondell) joined to share a summary of current international tax issues, including BEPS 2.0, changes in transfer prices, tax changes and challenges in response to COVID, changes in the US position on corporate taxation and international enforcement coordination. Jeremy shared excellent insights about very recent tax developments G7 after signing a contract with 6 June 2021
A panel session was then held, which focused on a case study on international taxes related to the British online food platform, which was established in North America and Europe, and which required advice on tax issues.
The discussion was chaired by Graham Caddock (London), joined by Armando Aguila (Mexico), Jaspal Dhillon (London), Steve Horn (Atlanta), Rocío Luna (Málaga) and Vanessa Richardson (Haga).
There has been a fascinating discussion; about the complexity of the current regulations, which usually correspond to corporations, but not individuals, which sometimes requires difficult moral questions.
Vanessa Richardson shared the history of the case pending by the Amsterdam Court of Appeals In February 2021, which establishes that service providers are to be treated as workers.
The key element of the decision was the level of suppliers' income, which resulted from the inability to provide protection against, for example, disability and unemployment. It was therefore considered that they should have the right to access labour law and social services.
When asked about CSR and the potential risk of creating company reputations with regard to worker care, Vanessa said: “People doing this type of delivery work are often students, they have no other income or protection. The Hague has a general consensus that these workers should be protected."
This year's conference ended with a funny tax quiz to help raise money for charity. After several difficult rounds, with some difficult questions about bizarre tax laws in history, delegates earned a disappointing amount when they reached 16. And the last question.
However, choosing to bet what they earned to win the maximum prize, the overwhelming majority of the answers to the last question were correct and thus collected in total 1,600 GBP for a winning charity. Of the many suggestions made by the delegates selected in an independent draw, the charity was “Save the Children”.
An important reminder that children are the future!
Stephen summarized the conference: “It is great to witness the energy of our meetings, which I still see on the Internet.
Our members feed on each other's energy and enthusiasm, and sharing different insights and experiences is the way they continue to learn and develop." He added: “The diversity of speakers and the diversity of our sessions make our events interesting; as a result, engagement is very high.
I feel that members draw a lot from our experts, and our internal panel discussions have shown the passion and knowledge of our people around the world.
We are pleased that we can resume physical meetings as soon as possible; however, I cannot emphasize enough how impressed I am by our members, their attitude and their desire to continue to deliver everything best in this very different working environment."