On 26 September 2024, the OECD Inclusive Framework published a Model Competent Authority Agreement to assist jurisdictions that have implemented the simplified and streamlined approach under Amount B to provide tax certainty. The MCAA is mainly intended to be applied in relation to Covered Jurisdictions as defined in the 17 June 2024 guidance. However, the OECD notes that Inclusive Framework members may use the MCAA as a model for negotiations with jurisdictions that are not defined as Covered Jurisdictions. This workstream has remained pending since the release of the guidance reports in February and June 2024. Therefore, the MCAA brings Amount B one step further toward completion and political agreement, in light of the envisaged local implementation commencing in fiscal years beginning after 1 January 2025.

Amount B was introduced as a “fixed return” on “baseline marketing and distribution activities” in the October 2020 Blueprint of Pillar One, and was seen as a critical component of the Pillar One deal
Following the long-awaited release of the consultation document on 8 December 2022 and subsequent public commentary received, the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS published a consultation document on Amount B on 17 July 2023, creating renewed momentum and putting Amount B back into the international tax spotlight.

Amount B was introduced as a “fixed return” on “baseline marketing and distribution activities” in the October 2020 Blueprint of Pillar One, and was seen as a critical component of the Pillar One deal. Nevertheless, over the past two years, in respect of Pillar One developments, the focus of the OECD Inclusive Framework members has been primarily on Amount A. However, on 8 December 2022, the OECD finally released the long-awaited consultation document and hosted a webinar on the proposed design of Amount B, putting Amount B back into the international tax spotlight. The OECD has now requested input from stakeholders on the technical design of Amount B, with comments to be received no later than 25 January 2023.

Governments and central banks around the world are struggling to address the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy. While certain governments may mitigate the crisis by doing whatever it takes, businesses are still required to operate and transact with their international affiliates at arm’s length as prescribed by…