Cross-border Tax Talks

Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Chris Desmond, a Principal in PwC’s Customs & Trade Practice. Chris leads PwC US’s Global Trade Services. Doug and Chris, while at PwC’s Global Transfer Pricing, Customs, and Indirect Tax Conference in Prague, discuss the Supreme Court’s expedited review of IEEPA‑based tariffs, possible outcomes, and the implications of an estimated ~$108B refund exposure across multiple industries (See our PwC Insight: IEEPA Tarrif: Understanding the Potential outcomes ahead of the Supreme Court’s Ruling for more details). They cover how persistent tariffs elevate customs to the C‑suite and require close integration with transfer pricing and Pillar Two modeling. They also discuss practical mitigations including first sale for export, duty drawback, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) reclassification and origin analysis, transfer‑pricing alignment, and use of foreign‑trade zones -- paired with rigorous controls as US government scrutiny intensifies. The episode closes with sector‑specific developments and a data‑driven playbook.  

Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Pieter Dere, a partner in PwC Belgium’s International Tax Services practice who leads Belgium’s Pillar Two initiative and co‑hosts the Tax Bites Podcast. Doug and Pieter recorded in Prague at PwC’s Global Transfer Pricing, Customs, and Indirect Tax Conference. They discuss Belgium’s Pillar Two compliance landscape: 2024 applicability of QDMTT/IIR/UTPR, a late‑November 2025 filing cycle; the new e‑platform and XML‑only submissions; transitional safe harbors and JV scope; the ‘general representative’ and joint and several liability; DAC 9 and the OECD MCAA; uncertainty around a G7 side‑by‑side and implications for US‑parented groups; estimated payments; Belgian litigation targeting UTPR; and practical steps to be ready now. 

Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Sarah Hickey, a PwC Australia International Tax Partner and the Australian tax desk leader in New York City. Doug and Sarah discuss Australia’s corporate tax landscape (30% headline rate; new thin-cap at 30% of tax EBITDA with a retrospective integrity rule on related‑party debt), investment incentives, the two‑speed CFC regime and “use it or lose it” foreign tax credits, and dividend, interest, and royalty withholding. They cover the diverted profits tax (40% rate; 12‑month evidence window), Pillar Two timing, public CbCR and short‑form restructure disclosures due by end‑2025, and indirect taxes including non‑resident CGT and stamp duty. Finally, they unpack the High Court’s Pepsi decision—no royalty derivation by the US, a 4–3 win on royalties and DPT—and why contract wording anchors royalty analyses. 

Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Mitch Schuckman, who is retiring after 39 years at PwC and has held a range of leadership roles, most recently leading PwC’s Global Tax Pursuits. Mitch is also the author of “I’ll Tell You a Great Story” and is a certified professional coach. Doug and Mitch discuss the evolving nature of tax careers, from early technical work to client pursuits and leadership development. The conversation explores the importance of storytelling, the role of professional coaching, and the attributes of high-performing teams and individuals. Mitch shares insights on building trusted advisor relationships, the necessity of collecting diverse experiences, and the challenges and rewards of fostering strong team culture, especially in a post-pandemic, hybrid workplace. Mitch reflects on his career, the significance of mentorship, and his future plans in executive coaching and leadership development. 

Wade Sutton (PwC’s Washington National Tax Services - International Tax Services Leader) is joined by Pat Brown, an ITS Partner and Co-Leader of PwC’s Washington National Tax Services practice. Pat previously served as the US Treasury’s Associate International Tax Counsel and has been a frequent guest on the podcast. Wade and Pat take a deeper dive into the future of Pillar Two, focusing on the G7’s ‘side-by-side' agreement.  They highlight the historical positions of previous US administrations, why  proposed Section 899  was dropped from OBBBA, US dissatisfaction with the lack of accommodations for the US GILTI regime and R&D tax credits, the OECD process and how countries could implement changes, and the potential for simplification including a potential permanent safe harbor. Finally, they look to the future and what may happen next. 

Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Wade Sutton, a principal who leads the international tax team in PwC’s Washington National Tax Services practice. Doug and Wade discuss OB-3’s outbound impacts and the ripple effects across the system: CAMT interactions and credit ordering; Section 174 R&E expensing elections; Section 163(j) excluding CFC items and the financing/on-lending response; FDII’s shift to FDDEI, a permanent 14% rate, and 2026 expense-apportionment relief; GILTI’s rebrand to Net CFC tested income with a 14% effective rate and ‘directly allocable’ expense questions; inventory-sourcing relief; repeal of the Section 898 one-month deferral; permanent CFC look-through; the Section 958(b)(4) fix; a new Section 951(a)(2)(B) framework; selected technical corrections; and why granular modeling matters now more than ever.  

Doug McHoney (PwC’s International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Nita Asher, an international tax principal in PwC’s Washington National Tax Services practice focused on inbound multinationals, with prior government experience during the TCJA. Doug and Nita discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OB3”) and its impact on inbounds, including permanent 100% bonus depreciation; new Section 168N for qualified production property; Section 163(j)’s EBITDA-based ATI; the reworked ‘FDDEI’ (formerly FDII) and its 14% rate with outbound IP limits; shifting IRA credit timelines and ‘foreign entity of concern’ issues; BEAT’s modest rate bump to 10.5% and unchanged credit treatment; the potential future of Section 899; and CAMT interactions. Throughout, they emphasize modeling to avoid BEAT/CAMT whipsaws while capturing OBBBA cash-flow benefits.

Raza Janjua, a Director at PwC’s NYC ITS practice and an authority on hybrid arbitrage, dives into the intricate world of international tax transformations. He dissects the origins of BEPS Action 2 and how it paved the way for complex hybrid arbitrage rules. The conversation uncovers real-life pitfalls, from preferred equity classifications to cross-border compliance challenges. Raza also speculates on future guidance from the G7 and its implications for U.S. tax laws, emphasizing the necessity for clearer frameworks in an evolving landscape.

In this enlightening discussion, Craig Stronberg, Senior Director of PwC Intelligence and former national security expert, shares insights on the shifting landscape of U.S. global policy and rising powers like BRICS. He dives into the complexities of protectionism, globalization debates, and how multinational firms navigate uncertainty through risk management and scenario planning. They also explore the surprising link between national happiness and trade success, emphasizing that prioritizing citizen well-being can unlock significant growth opportunities.

Calum Dewar and Mike Urse are distinguished international tax partners with extensive careers at PwC, specializing in cross-border tax. They discuss the allure of international tax, emphasizing the constant evolution and intellectual challenge it brings. Their fascinating career trajectories highlight mentorship’s role and the balance of technology and human relationships in their success. With humor, they reflect on transformative experiences, touching on technology's evolution from dictaphones to AI and offering invaluable advice for aspiring tax professionals.