A Global Problem: Dividend Withholding Tax Fraud

Abstract

Dividend withholding tax fraud is a global problem that requires international cooperation. It has been revealed that the loss suffered by Europe from this trade was 150 billion euros in the last twenty years. In Europe, dividend stripping has historically been viewed as an arbitrage strategy. However, it is certain that the sole purpose of such schemes is tax evasion. Global tax fraud has so far been discussed specifically in value added tax. The aim of this study is to investigate the dividend tax non-compliance problem that is rapidly spreading in Europe. However, the same problem remains important for all countries that adopt the withholding tax regime, such as Türkiye. In the study, a research method based on a literature review was used. As a result, two important findings were made. These; i) making a single institution responsible for the deduction and remittance of dividend withholding tax and ii) eliminating legal gaps regarding the limited tax liability of foreign shareholders. The main priority of the Turkish tax administration should be to investigate whether beneficial ownership has actually been transferred.

Keywords

• Cum-ex
• Cum-cum
• Dividend withholding tax
• Tax arbitrage
• Dividend stripping

Küresel Bir Sorun: Temettü Stopaj Vergisi Dolandırıcılığı

Abstract

Temettü stopaj vergisi dolandırıcılığı uluslararası iş birliğini gerektiren küresel bir sorundur. Avrupa’nın bu ticaretten uğradığı kaybın son yirmi yılda 150 milyar avro olduğu ortaya çıkmıştır. Avrupa’da geçmişte temettü dağıtımı bir arbitraj stratejisi olarak görülmüştür. Bununla birlikte bu tür planların tek amacının vergi kaçakçılığı olduğu kesindir. Küresel vergi dolandırıcılığı şimdiye kadar katma değer vergisi özelinde tartışılmıştır. Bu çalışmanın amacı Avrupa’da hızla yayılan temettü vergisi uyumsuzluğunu sorununu araştırmaktır. Ancak aynı sorun Türkiye gibi stopaj rejimini benimseyen bütün ülkeler için de önemini korumaktadır. Çalışmada, literatür taramasına dayalı araştırma metodu kullanılmıştır. Sonuçta İki önemli tespit yapılmıştır. Bunlar; i) temettü vergisinin kesilmesi ve havale edilmesinden tek bir kurumun sorumlu tutulması ve ii) yabancı hissedarların sınırlı sorumluluğuna ilişkin kanuni boşlukların giderilmesidir. Türk vergi idaresinin de en temel önceliği hisse sahipliğinin gerçekten devredilip devredilmediğini araştırmak olmalıdır.

Keywords

• Cum-ex
• Cum-cum
• Temettü stopaj vergisi
• Vergi arbitrajı
• Temettü dağıtımı

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