INTERNATIONAL TAX PLANNING

 

COURSE MATERIALS

·        Practical Guide: U.S. Taxation of International Transactions (3rd Ed.), Robert E. Meldman & Michael S. Schadewald. (CCH May 2000)

·        International Income Taxation: Code & Regulations -- Selected Sections (2002-2003 Ed.) Richard C. Pugh, Coordinating Editor (CCH July 2002)

·        International Taxation in a Nutshell, 5th Ed. Richard Doernberg (West Group 2001) [recommended]

The "Selected Sections" contain most of the provisions of the Code with which we shall be dealing during the course of the semester. Additional materials will be distributed periodically.  Weekly assignments will also appear on the “Assignment” page of the Webcourse.

 

WRITING REQUIREMENTS

The seminar has been designed with a view to facilitating your successful completion of a three hour open book exam. The exam will require problem solving that is very similar to work that you can expect to be asked to perform if you decide to enter private practice as an associate in a law firm.

The written requirements of the seminar will be the basis of 70% of your grade in the seminar.

 

CLASS PROCEDURES

The success of any seminar depends primarily upon the contributions of its members. Since we shall meet as a seminar, each of you is expected to carry a substantial responsibility for advancing our discussion and understanding. You will periodically be asked to undertake particular tasks with respect to various problems or exercises. Even if you do not have an assigned role, however, you will be expected to participate in seminar discussion and debate.

Many of the responsibilities for class presentations will be assigned to "working groups" consisting of two students. I shall assign students to various working groups and shall endeavor to assure that the workload is evenly divided during the semester. In addition, we will periodically have guest lecturers join us from the private sector.

There is always a chance that illness or other circumstances will cause you to miss a session or to come without full preparation. Each of you may have one "bad day" during the course of the semester. If you advise me in advance of the session, your absence or failure to participate will not bear any adverse consequences.

Class participation will account for 30% of your grade in the seminar.

 

EXAMINATION

An open book examination of three (3) hours will be given at the end of the course. Students may take with them into the examination any books, outlines or notes they have used during the semester.

 

PREREQUISITES AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Tax I is a prerequisite for this course. We shall often be dealing with rules with constitute specific applications of or exceptions to the principles that you have studied in Tax I.

 

NOTE FOR READING ASSIGNMENTS
            For all assignments, skim all Code sections and Regulations mentioned in the assigned readings including those in the footnotes.

 

ASSIGNMENTS

WEEK 1
(M):  Introduction to Course

        Chapter One [Tax Jurisdiction]

Paragraph 101

Case Study 1

Slides (Mod 2)

(W): Chapter One

Paragraphs 102-103

 

WEEK 2
(M): NO CLASS

(W): Chapter One

Paragraphs 104 & 105,

Skim Appendix at 106

 

WEEK 3
(M): Chapter Two [Source of Income Rules]

Paragraphs 201 & 202

Slides (Mod 3)

(W): Chapter Two

Paragraph 203

Chapter 2 Problems:

# 1(a) & 2(a)

# 1(b) & 2(b)

# 1(c) & 2(c)

# 3

WEEK 4
(M):  Chapter Two

Chapter Two Problems:

# 4(a)

# 4(b)

# 4(c)

         Chapter Three [Foreign Tax Credit]

Paragraphs 301-303

            Slides (Mod 4)
Read Either:

Tracy A. Kaye, The U.S. Perspective on Electronic Commerce

 J. Clifton Fleming, Jr., U.S. Taxation of Profits from Internet Software Sales -- An Electronic Commerce Case Study.

 

(W): Chapter Three

Paragraphs 304 – 310

Chapter Three Problems:

# 1

# 2

 

WEEK 5
(M): Finish Chapter Three;

        Chapter Four  [Deemed Paid Foreign Tax Credit]

Paragraphs 401-402

Slides (Mod 5)

(W): Chapter Four

Paragraphs 403- 405

Chapter Four Problems:

                #1

                #2

WEEK 6
(M): Chapter Four

Chapter Four Problems:

                #3

 

(W): Chapter Six  [Anti-Avoidance Provisions Governing Foreign Corporations]

            Paragraphs 601-605

            Slides (Mod 8)

            Chapter Six Problems:

                #1

 

WEEK 7
(M): Chapter Six

Paragraphs 606-608

Chapter Six Problems:

#2 1st half

(W): Chapter Six

Chapter Six Problems:

#2 2nd half

            Case Study 1 – Problem 4

            Case Study 3

Dave Fischbein Manufacturing Co. v. IRS, 59 T.C. 338 (1972)
Bausch & Lomb Inc. v. IRS, T.C. Memo 1996-57

SPRING BREAK (March 3 & 5)
 

WEEK 8
(M): Chapter Six

Paragraphs 602-603

Problems Case Study 3:

                #3-2
                #3-3

    Case Study 2


        Chapter Nine [Tax Treaties]

Paragraphs 901-902;

(W): Chapter Nine

Paragraphs 903-905
Boulez v. IRS, 83 T.C. 584 (1984)

 

WEEK 9
(M) Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine Problems:

#1  

#2  

(W): Finish Chapter Nine

 

WEEK 10
(M): Chapter Ten [Planning for Foreign Operations]

Paragraphs 1001-1004

Slides (Mod 6)

(W): Chapter Ten

Paragraphs 1005-1008

            Skim Appendix
            Chapter Ten Problems:

    # 1a and 1b

    # 1c and 1d

    # 1e

 

WEEK 11
(M): Finish Chapter Ten

            Chapter Ten Problems:

    #2  

        Chapter Five [Transfer Pricing]

Paragraph 501

Slides

(W): Chapter Five

        Paragraphs 502-505
        Chapter Five Problems:

#1a

#1b

#1c

#2

#3

 

 

WEEK 12
(M): Guest Lecturer:

Read: Transfer Pricing: Keeping it at Arm's Length by John Neighbour, Center for Tax Policy and Administration [link available in Course Documents]

Review: OECD Website for general developments in the area of Transfer Pricing [link available in Course Documents]



(W): Chapter Eleven [Foreign Persons Investing in the United States]

Paragraphs 1101-1102

Slides
 

WEEK 13
(M):  Chapter Eleven

            Paragraphs 1103-1104;
            Read: BEING AN NQI IN A 'QI WORLD' 22 TNI 2139.
            Chapter Eleven Problem
                Case Study 1:

    #3 & 4

    #5


(W): Chapter Thirteen

SUPPLEMENT paragraphs 1301-1321;

            Skim Appendix 1322.
            Chapter 13 Problems:

    #1

    #2

 

WEEK 14
(M):  Guest Lecturer: Lee Sheppard, Tax Notes, on Tax Shelters and Privilege
 
(W): No Class Professor Kaye is attending U.S. Tax Courts Conference.

 

WEEK 15
(M):  Chapter Twelve [Foreign Persons Doing Business in the United States]

Paragraphs 1201-1205

            Slides (Mod 13)
            Chapter 12 problems