From the Race to the Bottom to Fair Taxation: The Role of the Global Minimum Tax

Abstract

The inclination of multinational enterprises toward aggressive tax planning—manifested through base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) practices—stems from the gaps and inconsistencies within international taxation rules. In response to these practices and with the objective of restoring trust in the global tax system, the OECD and G20 countries have introduced a series of measures under the BEPS initiative. One of the most significant among these is the Global Minimum Corporate Tax. Adopted in 2021 with the participation of more than 130 countries, this reform aims to ensure that multinational corporations pay a minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, regardless of where they operate. The reform serves two primary objectives: on one hand, it seeks to increase global tax revenues, and on the other, to curb harmful tax competition among jurisdictions, thereby fostering a fairer and more balanced international tax order. This study explores the conceptual underpinnings and practical applicability of the Global Minimum Corporate Tax as a tax safeguard mechanism. It also examines the extent to which this measure may pose a challenge to national fiscal sovereignty through its implications for states’ taxing rights. The central inquiry of this paper is whether the introduction of such a global tax could lead to a more equitable and fair distribution of the tax burden, particularly in relation to labor taxation.

Keywords

• Global Minimum Corporate Tax
• Tax Competition
• Multinational Corporations
• Tax Equity

Dibe Doğru Yarıştan Adil Vergilendirmeye: Küresel Asgari Kurumlar Vergisinin Rolü

Abstract

Çok uluslu şirketlerin agresif vergi planlamasına yönelerek matrah aşındırma ve kâr transferi eylemlerine yönelmeleri, uluslararası vergilendirme kurallarındaki boşluklardan doğar. OECD ve G20 ülkelerinin bu eylemlerin önüne geçmek ve sisteme güvenin yeniden inşası için BEPS önlemleri çerçevesinde attığı adımlardan biri de Küresel Asgari Kurumlar Vergisidir. 2021 yılında 130'dan fazla ülkenin katılımıyla kabul edilen bu düzenleme, çok uluslu şirketlerin minimum %15 oranında Kurumlar Vergisi ödemesini garanti altına almayı amaçlamaktadır. Söz konusu reform temel olarak iki amaca hizmet etmektedir; bir taraftan vergi gelirlerini artırırken diğer yandan vergi rekabetini sınırlayarak daha adil bir küresel vergi düzeni oluşturmayı hedeflemektedir. Bu çalışmada bir vergi güvenlik önlemi olarak uygulanması hedeflenen Küresel Asgari Kurumlar Vergisinin fikri temelleri, uygulanabilirliği, devletlerin vergilendirme yetkisi üzerinden mali egemenliklerine bir tehdit olup olmadığı tartışmaları ile birlikte ele alınacaktır. Getirilecek yeni bir küresel verginin, emek üzerindeki vergi yükünün daha eşit ve adil dağılımı sonucunu doğurup doğurmayacağı bu çalışmanın temel sorunsalını oluşturmaktadır.

Keywords

• Küresel Asgari Kurumlar Vergisi
• Vergi Rekabeti
• Çokuluslu Şirketler
• Vergi Adaleti

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