International transfer pricing

: rethinking the arm’s length principle

Abstract

Considering the current economic reality, one must realize the dominant market position assumed by multinational corporations through the establishment of highly integrated operations between their subsidiaries. Such context is completely contrary to the one where separated and independent enterprises act. In light of a new economic and business paradigm, the arm’s length principle starts to be questioned as the most appropriate method to cope with transfer pricing issues and the negative impacts that may arise from such transactions. At the same time, other approaches are starting to be suggested by academics in order to combat the flaws of the actual system, namely a unitary regime. It is possible to foresee a long discussion about what is the right approach to be adopted, as both standards reveal strengths and weaknesses.

Date of Award	13 Jan 2018
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Mónica Duque (Supervisor)