Dbriefs Asia Pacific tax Webcasts are brief, informative programs which cover a wide array of tax topics important to businesses operating in the Asia Pacific region.

India Spotlight
Royalties and fees for technical services: Have India’s tax law and treaties gone too far?
22 October 2008
3:00 p.m. Australia EST (GMT +10)

Host: Steve Towers
Presenters: Gupta Atul and Sunil Shah

Deeming provisions in India’s tax law and treaties now cast a wide net. What impact could these provisions have on your service, intellectual property rights, and technology transactions in India? We’ll discuss:

• the meaning and scope of the provisions, including their application to transactions that take place outside of India and between non-residents
• India’s position regarding royalties and fees for technical services as covered in the 2008 update to the OECD Model Double Tax Treaty
• withholding issues, including those on license fees and services
• indirect tax issues, including service tax and customs duty implications of royalty payments.

Learn about India’s tax position on know-how and service transactions to better prepare for the cost implications of doing business in India.

 Register for the webcast

Transfer Pricing
Pricing intercompany services: Are you missing opportunities to improve your approach?
29 October 2008
2:00 p.m. Australia EST (GMT +10)

Host: Keith Reams
Presenters: Tae-Hyung Kim and Stuart Simons

Increasingly Asia Pacific tax authorities are scrutinising intercompany transactions among multinational groups. What planning can you do to reduce the risk of double taxation while still maintaining compliance with local tax laws? We’ll discuss:

• evolving services issues, including new modes of service delivery, such as on-line and remote options, and the effects of mobile workforces
• typical transfer pricing-related challenges companies face from tax authorities, including issues of deductibility, characterisation for withholding taxes, other indirect taxes, and intellectual property issues
• intercompany services planning, including centralising service offerings into centers of excellence and refining tax profiles.

Learn about the growing tension over pricing of intercompany services in the Asia Pacific region and what you can do to address it.

 Register for the webcast

International Assignments
Immigration strategies in Asia Pacific: Walking a tightrope?
12 November 2008
2:00 p.m. Australia EST (GMT +10)

Host: Russell Bird
Presenters: Stephen Coakley and Belinda Kam

During challenging economic times global businesses are rethinking the way they manage costs, strategies, and growth, including how they address immigration requirements in relevant countries. How can you maintain regulatory compliance associated with your international assignments program while still ensuring business needs are satisfied? We’ll discuss:

• aggressive actions by countries in the region, including ongoing monitoring, enforcement, and prosecution for non-compliance
• immigration strategies for the region that take into account each country's unique economic, regulatory, and cultural environment
• other hot immigration news across the region, including an up-to-the-minute discussion of post-Olympics changes impacting business travelers and longer-term visitors to China.

Learn how leading companies secure global talent during a time when governments are introducing tougher immigration laws.

 Register for the webcast

Country Focus
New Zealand Tax Credit: Will it deliver on its promise?
26 November 2008
1:00 p.m. Australia EST (GMT +10)

Host: Sergio Duchini
Presenters: Peter Felstead and Aaron Thorn

New Zealand recently introduced a 15 percent R&D tax credit regime. Broadly based on the Australian R&D regime but at twice the tax credit rate, how does this new regime stack up? We’ll discuss:

• provisions of the final law, including the uniquely New Zealand twist that Inland Revenue put to its regime
• does the new regime fulfill generous promises made during the New Zealand Treasurer's budget announcements last year?
• a comparison of benefits available under New Zealand’s and Australia’s R&D regimes.

Gain insights on similarities and differences between R&D tax credit regimes in New Zealand and Australia so you can make more informed decisions about where to invest your R&D dollars.

 Register for the webcast

International Tax
The 2008 OECD model double tax treaty and commentary: Tinkering at the margin or a brave new world?
9 December 2008
1:00 p.m. Australia EST (GMT +10)

Host: Steve Towers
Presenters: Leonard Khaw and Peter Madden

The OECD’s 2008 Model Double Tax Treaty and Commentary was issued in July amidst a blaze of publicity. How significantly could the many changes in this latest edition impact the day-to-day interpretation of double tax treaties across the Asia Pacific region? We'll discuss:

• definitions of residence in Article 4 and royalties in Article 12
• introduction of an alternative services permanent establishment provision in Article 5
• treatment of REITs under Articles 10 and 13
• the long-awaited formalisation of the authorised OECD approach in Article 7.

Learn how the changes may impact treaty interpretation today and in the future and how you should respond through planning and documentation.

 Register for the webcast

Tax Accounting
Tax accounting: The past, the present and the future
11 December 2008
1:00 p.m. Australia EST (GMT +10)

Host: Gary McIver
Presenters: Terry Kan and Sharon Lam

The financial reporting spotlight shined on FAS 109 when Sarbanes-Oxley was enacted in 2002. Recently, FIN 48 took center stage. What are the latest tax accounting issues public and private companies are likely to face in coming years? We'll discuss:

• lessons learned during the year since FIN 48 was implemented
• other tax accounting updates, including how FIN 48 will impact non-public companies
• issues companies should consider as more countries adopt International Financial Reporting Standards.

Hear the latest developments in tax accounting and how multinational companies can stay ahead as this critical area continues to evolve.

 Register for the webcast

China Spotlight
Indirect Tax: Why to expect the unexpected?
17 December 2008
1:00 p.m. Australia EST (GMT +10)

Host: Robert Tsang
Presenters: Sarah Chin and Maria Liang

With China’s ever-changing indirect tax laws, VAT can become a significant cost for companies. What further changes can you expect in the next year and what steps should you consider now? We’ll discuss:

• potential opportunities and pitfalls of the much anticipated VAT reform, including the latest on recovering VAT on capital assets
• how potential changes to China’s business tax may impact your supply chain
• whether to expect more downward adjustments in the VAT export refund and upward adjustments in export tariffs
• the latest technology offerings to support your management of indirect tax.

Learn what changes in China’s indirect tax laws are likely and explore ways of addressing your tax exposure in this constantly changing environment.

 Register for the webcast

Mergers & Acquisitions
How do the new China M&A tax regulations impact your next deal?
Date and time to be announced pending issuance of the new rules

Host: Nick Cham
Presenters: Vivian Jiang and Alan Tsoi

Since China’s new enterprise income tax law was enacted at the beginning of this year, the Chinese government has been working on a comprehensive set of regulations to govern M&A transactions. What will the passage of these long-awaited regulations mean to your business? We’ll discuss:

• key provisions of the new regulations – how do they compare with the previous regime?
• tax-free and taxable restructuring – how to do it and what to watch for?
• actions companies can take to address compliance while advancing their business strategies

Learn what impact new M&A tax regulations might have on deal makers in China and how you can plan ahead for them.