FS Tax Conference 2021
Schedule &
agenda
An innovative two day programme
Pairing leading industry expertise with topics that have great scope for intriguing debate, we offer an engaging experience in an intimate conference setting. When you’re not immersed in one of our 14 sessions, you’ll have a chance to network and meet other professionals making an impact within the FS sector.
Day 1
Welcome address
Welcome address
The conference opens with an address from the Managing Director of Hansuke Consulting.
Withholding taxes across Europe
Withholding taxes across Europe
Return on portfolio dividends can be seriously compromised by withholding tax leakage. Experts drawn from technology, consulting, investment management industries supplemented by trade association and tax authority perspectives will explain the latest taxation developments to ameliorate the reclamation processes.
Under discussion will be the beneficial ownership challenges, reclaim restrictions post Cum-Ex, the growing demand for standardisation of EU Tax Relief Systems and associated costs, the litigious fiduciary obligations, and the promise of blockchain solutions.
Morality Matters: Tax ethics, integrity & transparency
Morality Matters: Tax ethics, integrity & transparency
The ethics of reducing tax liabilities is increasingly problematic when it is aggressively avoided using creative schemes never intended by the legislature, and yet, in a strict reading, they abide by the letter of the law.
Our expert panellists will discuss the current state of affairs in the aftermath of the Pandora Papers, the irreparable damage that tax data leaks are doing to trust in the fairness of the taxation systems, what is being done to fix a broken system. The panel includes speakers from tax authorities, financial firms and pressure groups will consider the efficacy of tax transparency measures, from enactment to enforcement, including the test of regulatory resolve and international cooperation under J5 when dealing with scandals, such as the Cum-Ex challenge, and also at emergent threats such as digital currencies.
Navigating the new EU anti-avoidance hurdles
Navigating the new EU anti-avoidance hurdles
Across the EU, firms are having to contend with new regimes Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD I & II) and DAC6 reporting. For any FS tax structurer, danger lurks around every corner. The new rules will transform the way business is conducted and may in the long run influence location of investment business activity.
For the unwary, getting it wrong could be costly. Join our tax experts from leading financial and consulting firms share the practical lessons learned and strategies on how to operate in the EU without tripping into the new anti-avoidance territory.
Cryptoassets: The taxation challenge
Cryptoassets: The taxation challenge
Cryptoassets, particularly virtual currencies, are experiencing rapid development and tax policymakers are at a formative stage in determining their implications. Some jurisdictions like the US and UK have taken and early lead in formulating their approaches.
This expert panel brings together tax leaders from a tax authority, crypto industry, and technology and consulting to debate the emergent tax issues and practical implications such as the reporting challenges, as well the evolution of the consensus mechanisms used to maintain blockchain networks and the dawn of decentralised finance.
Restoring trust pt. I
Restoring trust pt. I
In a society of post-truth, alt-fact, fake news, data leaks and whistle blowing, how can professionals restore trust, between the state, institutions, and individuals?
Leading thinkers will discuss the role of conversation and dialogue as a reparative tool in rebuilding the trust deficit. Specifically, what must be done by tax professionals to rebuild trust within their communities and with society at large.
Tax leaders in conversation: Schwarz & De Mooij
Tax leaders in conversation: Schwarz & De Mooij
Leading taxation personalities Johnathan Schwarz and Ruud de Mooij will engage in a spontaneous dialogue on what they consider to be the fundamental issues and emergent taxation challenges in the financial services industry. Jonathan is the leading advisor on international tax treaty issues and Ruud is an advisor at the International Monetary Fund.
This is the first time ever that Jonathan and Ruud will appear together in such a format to engage in dialogue. A real must for their fans and followers.
Day 2
Welcome address
Welcome address
Day two of the conference opens with an address from the Chief Executive of WTS Global.
Tax leaders in conversation: Tang & Fitzgibbon
Tax leaders in conversation: Tang & Fitzgibbon
Tax is the price we pay for civilisation. Therefore, restoring faith in the tax system is of paramount importance. Paul Tang, chair of EU Parliament’s tax committee and arguably the most powerful tax official in Europe, will be in dialogue with Will Fitzgibbon, senior reporter from ICIJ who has helped decode the biggest financial leaks over the past decade, including the recent Pandora Papers.
This is the first time ever that Paul and Will appear together in such a format to engage in timely dialogue about how the societal expectations are being reshaped in the aftermath of Cum-Ex and Pandora Papers.
Building an inclusive workplace
Building an inclusive workplace
The human aspects are the top of the agenda. This panel engages leading thinkers on changes to organisational design to bring about systemic improvement in wellbeing. From inclusion, physical security and mental health, purpose, meaning and morale, the list of expectations from employers is growing ever longer. The challenges are particularly pronounced in a professional setting.
Experts will impart practical lessons on how progressive firms are adapting to address pertinent challenges of racism, sexism, ableism, lack of motivation, engagement, work patterns, disenfranchisement – through imbibing and cultivating of positive inclusive cultures, working arrangements, changing job design, intergenerational diversity to name a few. Join the panel debate to hear from specialists on what is working.
Transfer pricing documentation: Quo vadis?
Transfer pricing documentation: Quo vadis?
OECD’s BEPS project is that game changer that has reshaped transfer pricing outcomes and driven multinational enterprises to undertake additional analysis and documentation. Leading financial services transfer pricing experts will provide updates on domestic legislation regarding key transfer pricing principles, including the arm's length principle, transfer pricing methods, comparability analysis, intra-group services, cost contribution agreements, transfer pricing documentation, administrative approaches to avoiding and resolving disputes, safe harbours and other implementation measures.
The future of collectives
The future of collectives
With fundamental structural changes in geo-politics, technologies, ageing population and the retirement time bomb, the need for new structures and new asset classes that perform is urgent. The tax landscape for collective investment vehicles is rapidly changing.
Jurisdictions such as the post-Brexit United Kingdom, must address new challenges and take advantage of opportunities for investment management industry. Tax experts from the US, UK, Europe, and Asia will discuss the strategic tax implications of new structures and investments.
Futurewatch: Funds on chain
Futurewatch: Funds on chain
Unlike some tax-centric blockchain approaches, the challenge is more commercially rooted on how to harness the power of the immutable, distributed ledger. This workshop session lifts the lid on the future. Meet the people who are building Funds On Chain, an innovative asset management solution enabled by Germany’s progressive legal and regulatory environment.
Experts from IBM, WTS Global, and intas.tech will showcase how the proof of concept has moved to implementation stage where taxes are an integrative component of the broader end2end service. The tax functionality is not merely confined to withholding tax reclamations but extends across the board to investor and investment level taxation compliance including transfer taxes, tax information reporting, capital gains.
Restoring trust pt. II
Restoring trust pt. II
The restoration of trust in the financial and fiscal systems, lies at the intersection of international relations, political economy and theory, sociology, and human geography. Our panellists will discuss challenges faced by financial firms that serve international business which includes offshore financial centres and tax havens.
In a post-Covid world, trust is of paramount importance because cross-border investment and world growth requires an efficient tax system that prevents double taxation, tax avoidance and abuse. What must financial sector do to regain the trust it once enjoyed?