March 21, 2022
OECD tax policy leader to speak at virtual ABA U.S., Europe tax conference
WASHINGTON, March 21, 2022 — Pascal Saint-Amans, director of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris, will deliver the keynote speech during the Virtual 22nd Annual U.S. and Europe Tax Practice Trends Conference hosted by the American Bar Association Section of Taxation, International Bar Association and the USA Branch of the International Fiscal Association, March 28-April 1.
International tax professionals from industry and private practice will gather to focus on practical tax practice trends for multinational corporations and their international advisers, as well as provide insight into how government tax officials may view the international tax landscape in light of important international developments that impact corporate taxpayers.
Saint-Amans joined the OECD, an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives, in 2007. He played a key role in the advancement of the OECD tax transparency agenda in the context of the G20. Saint-Amans will speak Tuesday, March 29 at 9 a.m. EDT.
What: Virtual 22nd Annual U.S. and Europe Tax Practice Trends Conference
Sponsored by the ABA Section of Taxation, International Bar Association, International Fiscal Association – USA Branch
When: Monday-Friday, March 28-April 1
Where: Online
The conference will be supplemented by a half-day workshop on Monday, March 28 featuring panels on wealth management and cryptocurrency for private wealth planners and young lawyers.
The “Tax Administration in a Time of Global Uncertainty” plenary session on Thursday, March 31 at 9 a.m. EDT will feature Peter H. Blessing, associate chief counsel (International) in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, Washington, D.C.; Martin Kreienbaum, director general of international taxation in the German Federal Ministry of Finance, Berlin; and Jon Sherman, director at HM Revenue & Customs, London.
Other program highlights include (all times are EDT):
“Tax Transparency Initiatives, Sanctions, Seizures and Freezes Target the Oligarchs” — Panelists will discuss existing transparency initiatives, new anti-shell company initiatives, anti-oligarch initiatives, the proposed creation of an international public register of wealth, and how wealth planning professionals should ethically comply with these initiatives. Panelists: Zoë Arnautov, Simmons & Simmons LLP, London; Alan Winston Granwell, Holland & Knight LLP, Washington, D.C.; Severiano E. Ortiz, Kozusko Harris Duncan LLP, Washington, D.C.; Natalie Peter, Blum & Grob, Zurich; and Luis Suárez de Centi, Uría Menéndez, New York City.
Monday, 10:45 a.m.-noon
“Planning for the Pillars: Anticipating the Top Complexities for Implementation” — The panel will focus on the top complexities expected to arise from Pillars One and Two implementation. Panelists will address current OECD proposals and the path to implementation for the U.S. and European countries and operational and reporting changes that MNEs will need to consider. Panelists: Peter Barnes, senior fellow, Duke Center for International Development, Durham, North Carolina; Christian Kaeser, global head of tax, Siemens AG, Munich; Margriet Lukkien, Loyens & Loeff, Amsterdam; Eva Oertel, head, Department for International Taxation, Bavarian State Ministry of Finance, Munich; Achim Pross, head of the International Co-operation and Tax Administration Division, OECD, Paris; and Stephen Shay, Boston College Law School, Newton Centre, Massachusetts.
Tuesday, 9:45-11 a.m.
“The Role of Platform Companies in Digital Economy Tax Compliance” — Panelists will discuss requirements imposed and proposed to be imposed on platform companies to facilitate tax compliance and enforcement, including U.S. states’ post-Wayfair legislation, DAC7, and European states’ pre-DAC7 rules. Panelists: Antonietta Alfano, Maisto e Associati, Rome; Annabelle Bailleul-Mirabaud, CMS Francis Lefebvre Avocats, Paris; Bodo Bender, White & Case LLP, Frankfurt am Main; Stefi N. George, Akerman LLP, New York City; Paul Kraan, Van Campen Liem, Amsterdam; and David G. Shapiro, Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP, Philadelphia.
Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
“Getting It From All Sides — Increasing Demands for Taxpayer Transparency” — The panel will focus on CbC reporting, tax strategy reports, institutional investors private companies/equity, and increased public disclosure. Panelists: Sahel A. Assar, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, Washington, D.C.; Vincent van der Lans, Loyens & Loeff, New York City; Kimberly Majure, KPMG LLP, Washington, D.C.; Timo Ohvo, tax manager, Nokia, Helsinki; and Grace Perez-Navarro, deputy director, OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, Paris; Susanne Schreiber, Bär & Karrer, Zurich.
Wednesday, 9-10:15 a.m.
“Blurred Lines — The Edge of Civil and Criminal Tax Enforcement” — With the increased focus on shrinking the tax gap and combating abusive tax transactions, the line between tax avoidance and tax evasion continues to fade. When does strategic tax planning cross the line into intentional violations of known legal duties? Panelists will discuss current civil and criminal tax enforcement priorities, including COVID stimulus schemes, cum ex transactions and willful attempts to hide permanent establishments, and recent criminal investigations and prosecutions. Panelists: Caroline Ciraolo, Kostelanetz & Fink, LLP, Washington, D.C.; Jeffrey A. Neiman, Marcus Neiman Rashbaum & Pineiro LLP, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Raul-Angelo Papotti, Chiomenti, Milan; Alice Rousseau, Alice Rousseau Avocats, Paris; and Polly Sprenger, Addleshaw Goddard LLP, London.
Thursday, 10:45 a.m.-noon
A complete agenda can be found online here. For media registration, please contact Barbranda Walls at [email protected].
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