Latest news with #corporateTax
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
New Texas Laws Open a Wild West for Corporate Governance
Elon Musk scored a major victory this month when Tesla awarded him $29 billion, a 'first step' in a long-promised payday. It was also a win for Texas, where Tesla is now incorporated. A new law in the state helped pave the way for Musk's pay package after it was initially blocked by a Delaware judge. Texas' low corporate tax rate and employer-friendly labor laws have long made it an attractive place for businesses, but most big companies — two-thirds of the Fortune 500 — still incorporate in Delaware. Corporate America's backlash to a string of decisions by Delaware courts, including the one voiding Musk's pay package, has heightened the opportunity for Texas to compete for corporate domicile. Some major companies, including SpaceX, Dropbox and TripAdvisor, have decided to leave (or rather, as the exodus from Delaware has been named, 'Dexit'). Over the past few months, the Texas Legislature has passed several bills that could help attract Delaware's defectors by shifting more power from shareholders to executives. Under the new laws: Businesses incorporated in Texas can ban lawsuits from all but their biggest owners. Companies have the power to pass a bylaw that mandates that shareholders own at least a 3 percent stake in order to sue. That effectively shields companies from shareholder lawsuits, since so few of them meet that criteria. Tesla was quick to take advantage of the new law, passing a bylaw in May that helped clear Musk's blockbuster payday. Corporations incorporated or headquartered in Texas can restrict shareholder proposals to only their largest shareholders. That covers those owning at least $1 million in stock or 3 percent of the company. That helps companies like Exxon Mobil, which is headquartered in Texas but incorporated in New Jersey, avoid activist shareholder proposals on issues like climate change. Last year, Exxon sued the investor groups Arjuna Capital and Follow This over shareholder proposals that pushed the company to limit its greenhouse gas emissions. Proxy advisers face hurdles to disagreeing with management. These firms, which make recommendations for how shareholders vote on company issues, must publicly disclose that they incorporated 'nonfinancial factors' and 'subordinated the financial interest of shareholders' if they take into account environmental, social or governance issues when advising clients to vote against a company. Because nearly all shareholder proposals touch on E.S.G. issues, the measure effectively blocks proxy advisers from siding against management on any shareholder proposal. The aim is to tell boards and executives in Delaware that 'Texas is open for business,' said Nathan Jensen, a government professor at the University of Texas-Austin. States have been competing for corporate charters since the late 1800s. The incentives are high: About 30 percent of Delaware's revenue in 2024 came from franchise taxes. Politicians often claim new charters as a political victory, framing Delaware's court decisions as examples of unnecessary interference. When Tesla reincorporated in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X: 'Congrats Elon on getting the pay you were promised and on your new incorporation in Texas.' Texas has succeeded in wooing Musk's Tesla and SpaceX, but it faces competition from Nevada, which offers similarly lax governance laws. In addition to Dropbox and TripAdvisor, the venture capital giant Andreessen Horowitz recently departed for Nevada, announcing its move in a blog post titled, 'We're Leaving Delaware, and We Think You Should Consider Leaving Too.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Irish Times
06-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Three positive metrics point to health of economy
It might be the calm before the storm, but the Irish economy remains on a positive growth trajectory despite the global uncertainty. This week, we got three bits of data testifying to the health of the economy. First, the IDA's half-year results pointed to an increased flow of multinational investment into Ireland in the first half of 2025. The agency said it supported 179 investments in the six months to June with the potential to create more than 10,000 jobs, up 37 per cent on the same period last year. READ MORE This was followed on Thursday by the latest exchequer returns for June, detailing another spike in corporation tax. There had been concern that we might see a downturn in receipts from the business tax given the faltering global environment but, in the end, corporate tax generated €7.4 billion last month, which was €1.5 billion or 25 per cent up on the same month last year. June is the second most important month of the year for corporate tax – behind November – accounting for 20 per cent of full-year receipts. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe cautioned about the inherent volatility of the tax, while noting the Government was likely to generate another big budget surplus this year. And then on Friday we got figures from Dublin Airport operator DAA indicating the capital's airport had experienced its busiest-ever June with more than 3.5 million passengers travelling through the hub. It said it would have to turn away four million passengers this year if it is to comply with the cap, which was imposed by An Bord Pleanála in 2007. Ahead of next week's EU-US trade talks deadline and the potential escalation of tariffs between Brussels and Washington, the Irish economy is purring. Unemployment is anchored near a historic low of 4 per cent. All this might yet change, particularly if Trump goes after the pharma sector but, for now, that remains outside the tariff net. How a 10 per cent blanket tariff on EU exports to the US and possibly worse for German car exports, which appears to be landing point for negotiations at this stage, will play out is something of an unknown.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Outgoing Guernsey chief minister warns over corporate tax changes
Guernsey's next assembly should not make big changes to the island's corporate tax regime, the outgoing president of Policy and Resources (P&R) has warned. Deputy Lyndon Trott OBE led the campaign to introduce the zero-10 programme in 2008, which means some companies pay no corporation tax and others pay 10%.A number of candidates for the 2025 general election have said Guernsey should move to a zero-15 system or adopt a territorial corporate income tax scheme. "I caution the next States against doing anything unilaterally, only move when those of other size and status are willing to do the same," warned Trott. Proposals to change the island's corporate tax system were rejected on a number of ocassions during the last political States decided eventually to adopt a package of tax reforms, including a 5% GST, a lower income tax rate for earnings under £30,000 and reforms to social security contributions. In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, before he leaves local politics on 30 June, Trott declared the changes to corporate tax in 2008 were the "biggest challenge" he had said the "damage that we would have done to our community, to our economy, would have been enormous" if the island had not voted for zero-10. Tax rises 'not heresy' Despite the States having agreed to introduce a GST, alongside other tax reforms, Trott suggested the States should look at other changes to make the island's tax system more progressive. He said: "I'm someone who thinks that we pay far too little in terms of income tax. I pay 20%. If 20% means 20% to me, I'd be very happy to pay 22% or even 25%. "There are colleagues of mine who throw their hands up in horror. It's heresy to speak in this way."Deputies rejected proposals from Trott for a temporary increase in the rate of income tax from 20% to 22%. "I genuinely believe in a progressive tax system," commented Trott."In other words, those who can afford to pay should pay. However, we absolutely can't touch the way we treat capital." Covid under-investment When confronted about why zero-10 had not led to greater economic growth, Trott complained that the island had "under-invested" in its infrastructure for "too long".He said: "Part of the problem was Covid. We ran down our reserves during Covid substantially. "We were lucky to have them. And we transferred £150m to support our community from our reserves."During the pandemic, as Vice-President of Policy and Resources, Trott was in charge of the financial support for businesses. He said: "It was essential. "But that is money that we would otherwise have invested directly into our infrastructure, which would have created a far more positive economic downturn than the one we've had."So I'm sort of hiding behind that."He blamed the lack of investment on infrastructure on the island's tax take. He said: "We take something like 21.5% of our GDP in tax. "Jersey takes 26%, the Isle of Man 29% and the UK is nearly 40%. So we are at the very bottom of that league table."
Zawya
16-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman's income tax: A strategic test of fairness and fiscal vision
Oman stands at a pivotal juncture in its fiscal evolution—where traditional oil revenues alone can no longer guarantee long-term sustainability, and where new financial tools are needed to anchor the state's ambitions under Vision 2040. Among the reforms under consideration, personal income tax remains one of the most consequential, though still subject to timing and public readiness. This is not about immediate implementation, but about preparing the groundwork for a modern taxation system that reflects the Sultanate's strategic maturity. Income tax, if introduced thoughtfully, represents more than just a new revenue stream. It embodies a shift in how a nation defines shared responsibility. In Oman's case, the proposed structure is highly selective—targeting only individuals with net annual earnings above RO 30,000, who represent a narrow segment of the population. The rate under discussion is a modest 5 per cent, placing Oman well below global tax averages. This approach ensures that those who have benefitted most from the country's economic system contribute a fair share, without burdening the broader population. It's a move rooted in equity, not austerity. The income tax proposal also signals the government's intent to close systemic loopholes that have enabled high-income individuals to shield earnings under corporate structures, avoiding the 15 per cent corporate tax. These practices, though technically legal, erode trust in the tax regime and weaken the state's fiscal base. A personal income tax helps balance the system—ensuring that revenue flows are not distorted by creative accounting or structural arbitrage. It complements other reforms, including VAT and customs adjustments, which aim to diversify income without compromising fairness. For foreign investors, the tax carries little to no direct impact. Oman has signed comprehensive double taxation agreements with key trading partners, meaning any tax paid in Oman reduces liabilities elsewhere. Moreover, the tax applies to individuals—not corporations—so the fundamentals that attract foreign capital remain intact. Contrary to alarmist narratives, the policy has been designed with competitiveness in mind, ensuring that Oman continues to offer one of the region's most stable and attractive investment climates. The most critical variable now is timing, not design. The government has made clear that income tax will only be enacted when conditions are favourable—when digital systems are in place, when enforcement is consistent, and when public understanding is sufficient to support the transition. This caution reflects lessons learned from international experiences: rushed implementation of tax reforms can backfire. Oman's methodical pace is a sign of policy prudence, not hesitation. VISION 2040 REQUIRES BOLD BUT BALANCED MOVES Oman's Vision 2040 aspires to a knowledge-driven, diversified economy. That ambition demands a stable fiscal platform—and that, in turn, requires a broad-based contribution model. Relying solely on oil or VAT is not sustainable. Income tax, even in its limited proposed form, is a strategic bridge toward long-term resilience. Moreover, by taxing only the wealthiest, the state affirms its commitment to social equity, while signalling to international partners that it is serious about transparency, governance, and economic discipline. While technical preparations continue, what is equally important is a national conversation around the role of tax in state-building. Citizens must see taxation not as a cost, but as an investment in shared prosperity. To win trust, future tax policy must be paired with clear communication, visible results in public services, and mechanisms for accountability. A fair tax system is not just about rates—it's about how the money is spent, and whether it improves lives. Income tax in Oman is not yet a reality—but it is on the horizon. When it arrives, it will do so as part of a larger national transformation: from a rentier state to a participatory economy. If implemented with foresight and fairness, it will mark a new chapter in Oman's fiscal independence. This is less about taxing wealth, and more about laying the foundation for a modern, accountable state—one where every rial paid is a step toward national strength.
Irish Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Dublin paid half of State's 2024 income tax while Cork delivered most from corporates
Dublin accounted for the more than half the income tax and VAT receipts collected by Government last year while more than half of the State's record corporate tax take emanated from Cork. The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has published a new 'interactive dashboard' that provides a more detailed breakdown – by economic sector and county – of the Irish tax base. It shows that €16.2 billion of PAYE income tax in 2024, out of total of €29.6 billion, was paid by workers in Dublin. Consumers in the capital were also responsible for the lion's share of VAT receipts, paying €11.7 billion out of the €20.5 billion total collected from the sales tax. READ MORE Cork, however, was responsible for €21.4 billion of the State's record €39 billion corporate tax haul last year. The €39 billion included €11 billion of the Apple tax money, covering most of the money owed as a result of a high-profile European court ruling last September, plus Apple's annual corporate tax liability for 2024. The iPhone maker Cork's campus serves as its European headquarters and employs over 6,000 people. The company is the biggest payer of corporate tax in the Republic. Dublin was responsible for €14.1 billion of corporate tax in 2024, meaning Dublin and Cork combined made up €35.5 of the €39 billion total in business tax receipts collected last year. The next biggest county was Galway with €405 million. On a sector-by-sector basis, the PBO's dashboard shows the wholesale and retail trade sector accounted for the biggest lump of corporate tax receipts at €16.2 billion followed by manufacturing (€9.5 billion); information and communication (€6.2 billion); and financial and insurance activities (€4 billion). While much has been made of the State's lopsided corporate tax base, with just 10 firms providing more than half the receipts, the PBO's data show the same multinational-dominated sectors (wholesale and retail, manufacturing, information and communication and financial and insurance activities) accounted for €13.5 billion of the €29.6 billion paid in PAYE income tax last year. The purpose of the dashboard 'is to present net tax receipts data published by Revenue Commissioners in a visual and interactive manner,' the PBO said. 'In doing so, it aims to enhance members' and committees' understanding of tax revenues which are used to fund public services,' it said. A previous report by the PBO, which acts as the parliament's budgetary oversight body, showed the top 8 per cent of earners in Ireland account for more than 54 per cent of the income tax paid to the State.
