全球最低公司税：为什么某些维谢格拉德（Visegrád） 国家不愿意接受它？
编译：思迈特财税国际税收服务团队
This article is about the effects of the global minimum corporate tax on the Visegrád countries. It is clear that the region is divided, as Hungary and Poland strongly oppose its introduction, while the Czech Republic and Slovakia are in favour of it. A homogeneous tax would create a certain order in the taxation of multinational corporations, but for the Visegrád countries it could be a drag on economic development. If it is accepted, the countries in question will have to find other ways of attracting foreign capital.
这篇文章是关于全球最低公司税对Visegrád（注：维谢格拉德集团（Visegrád Group）成立于1991年，成员包括中欧四国：波兰、匈牙利、捷克、斯洛伐克，是欧洲内部规模最大、合作成果最丰硕、影响力最强的次区域合作组织）国家的影响。很明显，该地区存在分歧，匈牙利和波兰强烈反对引入该税，而捷克和斯洛伐克则赞成。同质化的税收会在跨国公司的税收中建立一定的秩序，但对于Visegrád国家来说，它可能会拖累经济发展。如果它被接受，那么有关国家将不得不寻找其他吸引外国资本的方法。
Back in the early 1900s, corporate taxation was not a headache either for the companies themselves or the tax authorities, as taxes were paid where the goods were produced and where the value-added was created. The basic rule was quite simple: the amount of tax to be paid depended on the geographical location of the corporation.
早在20世纪初，公司税对公司本身和税务机关来说都不是一个令人头痛的问题，因为税收是在货物生产地和创造增值地缴纳的。基本规则很简单：要缴纳的税额取决于公司的地理位置。
However, the landscape has changed quite a lot since then, as the various waves of globalization have contributed to the relocation of production across the globe. As of today, we normally consume products and services produced in far-away countries and regions,1 and it is quite difficult to get a full picture on where multinational corporations pay taxes and generate revenues. From time to time, multinational enterprises turn to various options like transfer pricing, moving their taxable profit from one country to another, or manipulating their taxable revenues, because the landscape of corporate income tax is still very varied, with remarkable differences across international borders. The global technology companies can jump over these borders, and partly because of this they are the number one scapegoats when it comes to tax evasion. They are able to generate significant revenues without a physical presence, and can generate impressive income without being taxed at all.2
然而，从那时起，情况已经发生了很大的变化，因为各种全球化浪潮促进了生产在全球的迁移。到今天为止，我们通常消费的产品和服务都是在遥远的国家和地区生产的，而要全面了解跨国公司的纳税和收入情况是相当困难的。跨国企业不时转向各种选择，如转让定价，将其应税利润从一个国家转移到另一个国家，或操纵其应税收入，因为公司所得税的情况仍然非常不同，在国际边界之间有显著的差异。全球技术公司可以超越这些边界，部分原因是它们在逃税方面是头号替罪羊。他们能够在没有实际存在的情况下产生大量的收入，并能在不被征税的情况下产生令人赞叹的所得。
According to the timetable, the harmonized tax rate would be applied from 2023 at a rate of 15 per cent
根据时间表，统一税率将从2023年开始适用，税率为15%。
The introduction of a global minimum corporate tax was originally planned to make the significant differences in taxation less pronounced. According to the timetable, the harmonized tax rate would be applied from 2023 at a rate of 15 per cent. This is not a bolt from the blue, as the effective taxation of businesses and digital businesses was first proposed by the OECD in 2018. This suggestion led to further discussions, and the idea of a global minimum tax was born as the second pillar of a fairer public tax system. The first pillar provides that global tech giants are taxed in the place where they carry out their activities. With these two measures in operation, it would be clear that there will be less and less opportunity for multinational companies to lower taxes by shifting profits and eroding their tax base.
引入全球最低公司税的最初计划是使税收方面的重大差异不那么明显。根据时间表，统一税率将从2023年开始适用，税率为15%。这并不是晴天霹雳，因为对企业和数字企业的有效征税是OECD在2018年首次提出的。这一建议引发了进一步的讨论，全球最低税的想法应运而生，成为更公平的公共税收制度的第二个支柱。第一个支柱规定全球科技巨头要在其开展活动的地方被征税。随着这两项措施的实施，很明显，跨国公司通过转移利润和侵蚀其税基来降低税收的机会将越来越少。
Certain countries, both developing and developed, are closely watching the introduction of the global minimum tax, as for them a low corporate income tax policy is almost the only option when it comes to making their economies attractive. By granting generous tax relief, they attract investors, thus gaining better access to technology and innovation. Also, they can create jobs and increase their embeddedness in the global value chains.
某些国家，包括发展中国家和发达国家，正在密切关注全球最低税的引入，因为对他们来说，低公司所得税政策几乎是使其经济具有吸引力的唯一选择。通过给予慷慨的税收减免，他们吸引了投资者，从而获得了更好的技术和创新机会。此外，他们还可以创造就业机会，提高他们在全球价值链中的嵌入程度。
Immediately after the political and economic changes that occurred in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989, and particularly in the Visegrád Region, this was one of the most promising options, and the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia started creating a business-friendly environment with relatively low corporate income taxes, hefty tax rebates, and exemptions. Coupled with low-cost and disciplined workforces and relatively good infrastructure, this policy paid off, as first Hungary and later Poland managed to attract a lot of direct foreign investment, while the Czech Republic and Slovakia also managed to attract substantial foreign capital. After the turn of the millennium, Central and Eastern Europe succeeded in playing an increased role in product manufacturing, thus demonstrating that the region’s governments had chosen a viable option and a good development path. The progress made in the automotive industry is especially telling, as the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia bear the nickname of the Detroit of Central and Eastern Europe. This clearly indicates the size and importance of the sector.
在1989年中欧和东欧发生政治和经济变革之后，特别是在Visegrád地区，这是最有希望的选择之一，捷克、匈牙利、波兰和斯洛伐克开始创造一个有利于商业的环境，实行相对较低的公司所得税、大量的退税和免税。再加上低成本、有纪律的劳动力和相对较好的基础设施，这一政策得到了回报，首先是匈牙利和后来的波兰设法吸引了大量的直接外国投资，而捷克和斯洛伐克也设法吸引了大量的外国资本。千禧年后，中欧和东欧成功地在产品制造方面发挥了更大的作用，从而表明该地区的政府选择了一个可行的选择和一个良好的发展道路。在汽车工业方面取得的进展尤其能说明问题，因为捷克、匈牙利和斯洛伐克都有中东欧底特律的绰号。这清楚地表明了该行业的规模和重要性。
Currently these countries are keeping a close eye on the final implementation of the global minimum tax, either because they are or are not satisfied with the concept. First of all, we have to highlight that the Czech Republic and Slovakia are not against the new policy, as they are deeply embedded in the German supply chain. They maintain relative closeness to their export markets and are extremely open when it comes to international trade, not to mention their lower labour costs. Currently, the standard Slovakian corporate tax rate is 21 per cent, but in case of micro-taxpayers a rate of 15 per cent applies.
目前，这些国家正在密切关注全球最低税的最终实施情况，因为他们对这个概念感到满意或不满意。首先，我们必须强调，捷克和斯洛伐克并不反对这项新政策，因为它们深深地嵌入了德国的供应链中。它们与出口市场保持着相对密切的关系，在国际贸易方面极为开放，更不用说其较低的劳动力成本。目前，斯洛伐克的标准公司税率为21%，但对于微型纳税人来说，适用的税率为15%。
The Czech corporate income tax rate is 19 per cent, and applies to all business profits. Both rates are above the proposed rate of 15per cent. Currently the Czech Republic holds the presidency of the Council of the EU and it is quite clear that during this mandate the decision-makers will try to reach an agreement on the EU rules for a global minimum tax levied on large multinational corporations. It seems that these two economies no longer believe in the efficiency of the low corporate income rates only, and are ready to adopt a homogeneous solution. Furthermore, these economies deem that there is limited room for manoeuvre left for corporate income taxation in relation to the business environment.
捷克的公司所得税率为19%，适用于所有营业利润。这两个税率都高于拟议的15%的税率。目前，捷克担任欧盟理事会主席，很明显，在这个任期内，决策者将试图就欧盟对大型跨国公司征收全球最低税的规则达成协议。似乎这两个经济体不再相信仅有低公司所得税的效率，并准备采取一个同质化的解决方案。此外，这些经济体认为，在商业环境方面，留给公司所得税的回旋余地有限。
There are two countries at the other end of the spectrum: Hungary and Poland. The corporate income tax rate in Hungary is by far the lowest in the European Union, at 9 per cent. The current Hungarian government is continuing its low-tax policy when it comes to personal and corporate income taxation, and in general it has reduced a large number of taxes. It seems that the economic policy follows a classic textbook case: low taxes attract investors, tax breaks grease the wheels of decision-making, and the country benefits from the influx of new technologies, managerial skills, and workplaces, as well as from better connections to the world economy. Many criticize this approach, claiming that this benefits only the largest multinational corporations, and almost nothing is left for the small and medium-sized enterprises. An increase from 9 to 15 per cent would be quite remarkable at any time, but the timing makes it especially so. The beginning of an armed conflict in Europe at the end of February 2022, and the many related and non-related economic difficulties, drastically changed the overall landscape. According to the Hungarian government, the introduction of a minimum tax is an unacceptable measure in these circumstances, and at the EU level the country is threatening to use its veto.
有两个国家处于范围的另一端：匈牙利和波兰。匈牙利的公司所得税率是迄今为止欧盟中最低的，为9%。现任匈牙利政府在个人和公司所得税方面继续实行低税政策，总的来说，它已经减少了大量的税收。似乎经济政策遵循了一个经典的教科书案例：低税率吸引了投资者，税收减免为决策的车轮涂脂抹粉，国家从新技术、管理技能和工作场所的涌入，以及与世界经济更好的联系中受益。许多人批评这种做法，声称这只对大型跨国公司有利，而几乎没有给中小型企业留下什么。从9%到15%的增长在任何时候都是相当了不起的，但时机的选择使它变得尤为重要。2022年2月底欧洲武装冲突的开始，以及许多相关和非相关的经济困难，极大地改变了整体格局。根据匈牙利政府的说法，在这种情况下，引入最低税是一个不可接受的措施，在欧盟层面，该国一直威胁使用其否决权。
The global minimum tax would have a negative impact on the economy, competitiveness, and the number of jobs in Hungary
全球最低税将对匈牙利的经济、竞争力和就业数量产生负面影响
As economic policy-makers argue, the global minimum tax would have a negative impact on the economy, competitiveness, and the number of jobs in Hungary, as well as in the EU as a whole. Hungary also criticizes another, related plan: a more transparent and efficient taxation system for large, digital technology companies. This had previously been promised, but for certain (mainly political) reasons it was later forgotten. Shortly after the definitive resolution of Hungary in July 2022, the US terminated a tax treaty which had been intended to avoid the risk of double taxation between the two states. It had been in effect since 1979. This seems to have been a political threat by which the US tried to influence decision-makers. This is in line with the attitude of the Biden Administration, which has already labelled Hungary a tax heaven for multinational corporations.
正如经济政策制定者所认为的，全球最低税将对匈牙利以及整个欧盟的经济、竞争力和就业数量产生负面影响。匈牙利还批评了另一个相关的计划：为大型数字技术公司建立更透明和有效的税收制度。这一点此前曾被承诺过，但由于某些（主要是政治）原因，后来被遗忘了。在2022年7月匈牙利的明确决议后不久，美国终止了一项税收协定，该协定旨在避免两国之间的双重征税风险。它自1979年以来一直有效。这似乎是一种政治威胁，美国试图以此来影响决策者。这与拜登政府的态度是一致的，它已经将匈牙利称为跨国公司的避税天堂。
Hungary is not alone in opposing the idea of a global minimum corporate tax in the EU: Poland’s standpoint is essentially the same. The Warsaw government argues that with the global deal, Poland will have to find other ways to attract foreign investors. As in every Visegrád country since the 1990s, the Polish tax system has been offering tax breaks. Poland has been trying to entice investments in new technologies and innovations by bettering the business climate through incentives and tax rebates. For many other countries in the region, this seems to be the main weapon and advantage. When the EU finally adopts the global minimum corporate tax as a kind of compensation, Poland will definitely want to be certain that the global minimum tax will be accompanied by tax changes in the case of digital giants. Polish opposition is an obvious headache for the implementation of a global deal, and the US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen made a trip to Warsaw in the hope of convincing the Polish officials in May 2022. At this point we have to bear in mind that the EU directives have to be backed by every single member state. Poland wants to receive more government rights to tax the local operations of the largest companies. Hungary wants to scrap the idea of global minimum corporate taxes completely. However, it is not entirely clear whether the US Congress would finally back the amendment of the international treaty mechanism. Also, we have to note that the EU may implement the global minimum tax by means of enhanced cooperation which means bypassing the Hungarian veto. In this case at least ten countries will have to approve the new measure. According to the latest news, five key EU member countries seem to be committed to phasing in the global minimum corporate tax in 2023. These countries are Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.3
匈牙利并不是唯一反对在欧盟设立全球最低公司税的国家。波兰的立场基本上是一样的。华沙政府认为，随着全球协议的进行，波兰将不得不寻找其他方式来吸引外国投资者。与20世纪90年代以来的每个Visegrád国家一样，波兰的税收制度一直在提供税收优惠。波兰一直试图通过激励和退税来改善商业环境，从而吸引对新技术和创新的投资。对于该地区的许多其他国家来说，这似乎是主要的武器和优势。当欧盟最终采用全球最低公司税作为一种补偿时，波兰肯定希望确定全球最低税将伴随着数字巨头的税收变化。波兰的反对对于全球协议的实施显然是一个令人头痛的问题，美国财政部长Janet Yellen在2022年5月对华沙进行了一次访问，希望能够说服波兰官员。在这一点上，我们必须牢记，欧盟的指令必须得到每个成员国的支持。波兰希望获得更多的政府权利，对大型公司的本地业务征税。匈牙利希望完全废除全球最低公司税的想法。然而，目前还不完全清楚美国国会是否会最终支持对国际协定机制的修正。另外，我们必须注意到，欧盟可能通过加强合作的方式实施全球最低税，这意味着绕过匈牙利的否决权。在这种情况下，至少有10个国家必须批准这项新措施。根据最新消息，5个主要的欧盟成员国似乎致力于在2023年逐步实施全球最低公司税。这些国家是德国、法国、意大利、西班牙和荷兰。
It is quite obvious that these economies already have a competitive business climate, and they may attract a lot more foreign direct investment once the corporate income tax is lowered. However, we have to highlight the fact that the level of corporate income tax is only one element of the business environment. By reducing the rate, countries can indeed attract more investors into their economies, but many other factors also play a crucial role: infrastructure, market potential, corruption, the rule of law, transparency, institutions, trust, and labour-related costs. So, setting a competitive corporate income tax is only one building block and an important first step, but does not amount to the entirety of the business environment.
很明显，这些经济体已经有一个有竞争力的商业环境，一旦公司所得税降低，他们可能会吸引更多的外国直接投资。然而，我们必须强调的是，公司所得税的水平只是商业环境的一个要素。通过降低税率，各国确实可以吸引更多的投资者进入其经济，但许多其他因素也起着至关重要的作用：基础设施、市场潜力、腐败、法治、透明度、制度、信任以及与劳动力相关的成本。因此，制定一个有竞争力的公司所得税只是一个基石，是重要的第一步，但不等于商业环境的全部。
The divisions among the Visegrád countries indicate that the decision-makers are divided about the role of corporate taxes in making their economies competitive. Currently Hungary and Poland are trying to improve the business environment by lowering taxes, among other measures, and oppose the new regulation, but the Czech Republic and Slovakia deem that their economies will attract sufficient foreign capital in the case of a uniform global minimum corporate tax as well. Taking everything into consideration, we can say that the global minimum corporate tax may slow down the catching up of Central and Eastern Europe, and several governments will have to find new ways of keeping their economies attractive.
Visegrád国家之间的分歧表明，决策者对公司税在使其经济具有竞争力方面的作用存在分歧。目前，匈牙利和波兰正试图通过降低税收等措施来改善商业环境，并反对新的规定，但捷克和斯洛伐克认为，在全球统一的最低公司税的情况下，他们的经济也将吸引足够的外国资本。考虑到一切，我们可以说，全球最低公司税可能会减缓中东欧的追赶速度，一些政府将不得不寻找新的方法来保持其经济的吸引力。
NOTES
1 Richard Baldwin, The Great Convergence (Belknap Press, 2016).
2 Paul R. Krugman and Maurice Obstfeld, International Economics (11th edition, Pearson, 2018).
3 ‘Five Big EU States to Implement Minimum Corporate Tax If No EU Deal’, Reuters
(9 September 2022), www.reuters.com/markets/ europe/five-big-eu-states-implement-minimum- corporate-tax-if-no-eu-deal-2022-09-09/.
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