2021-10-07-世界经济论坛-Digital_Trade_in_Services_and_Taxation_29页_2mb

Digital Trade in Services and Taxation
White Paper Summary

Introduction

Governments worldwide are reevaluating taxation policies amid digitalization, with particular interest in Digital Services Taxes (DSTs). These taxes target revenues from digital activities (e.g., online advertising), as traditional tax systems struggle to capture digital service income. The OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework is leading international tax reforms, aiming for a multilateral solution by 2024.

Digital Trade in Services

• Growth: Digital services trade surged during COVID-19, with exports of computer services and online marketplaces growing in 2020.
• Modes of Supply: Cross-border services (mode 1) use digital platforms, enabling smaller firms (MSMEs) and micro-enterprises to enter international markets without physical presence.
• Challenges: Restrictions on travel/mobility (post-COVID) may temporarily reduce trade in services requiring physical presence (modes 2 & 4).

Shifting Tax Landscape

Key Tax Measures:

1. DSTs: 26 countries have introduced DSTs (e.g., 3% in the EU, 7.5% in Turkey), targeting specific digital revenue streams (e.g., online ads). However, a multilateral agreement in 2021 seeks to phase them out.
2. Corporate Income Tax: The OECD’s “Two-Pillar Solution” allocates taxing rights to market jurisdictions, imposing a global minimum tax of 15%.
3. VAT/GST: Expanding these to e-commerce lowers collection costs but raises concerns about lost revenues and unfair competition.

Impacts of DSTs

• Corporate Burden: Companies face higher costs and complex compliance due to jurisdictional differences, administrative overhead, and double taxation risks.
• Trade & Investment: DSTs risk retaliation, trade tensions, and reduced foreign direct investment (FDI) uncertainty.
• MSMEs: Smaller enterprises struggle with compliance barriers, though dependency on digital platforms (mode 1) remains high.

Policy Considerations

1. Design Refinements: Simplify scope, lower revenue thresholds to include smaller firms, and minimize double taxation through bilateral treaties.
2. Alternatives: Updating VAT/GST rules, taxing corporate profits, or imposing one-time excess-profits taxes were ranked as preferable measures.
3. Coordination: Countries must align to reduce trade distortions and adhere to WTO rules (non-discrimination).

Conclusion

DSTs address immediate revenue needs but risk unintended economic distortions. Further research is needed to balance tax fairness, simplicity, and global trade liberalization. The multilateral reform via the OECD/G20 framework is crucial to mitigate unilateral measures and ensure equitable digital taxation.