The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) suggested Common Reporitng Standard (CRS) form contents
The OECD is an intergovernmental economic organization with 36 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade.
OECD developed the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), in response to the G20 request and this was approved by the OECD Council on 15 July 2014. It calls on jurisdictions to obtain information from their financial institutions and automatically exchange that information with other jurisdictions on an annual basis. It sets out the financial account information to be exchanged, the financial institutions required to report, the different types of accounts and taxpayers covered, as well as common due diligence procedures to be followed by financial institutions.
The CRS consists of the following four key parts:
- A model Competent Authority Agreement (CAA), providing the international legal framework for the automatic exchange of CRS information;
- The Common Reporting Standard;
- The Commentaries on the CAA and the CRS; and
- The CRS XML Schema User Guide
Very Difficult CRS forms to fill out
The CRS was designed to be incredibly invasive in terms of the financial information to be reported. Account Holders are subjected to intense reporting that Foreign Financial Institutions (FFIs) have been mandated to implement or risk catastrophic FATCA penalties for non-compliance.
The stated reason for this massive data collection campaign is that it is essential to limit the opportunities for taxpayers to circumvent reporting. Additionally, it also requires that jurisdictions, as part of their effective implementation of the Standard, put in place anti-abuse rules to prevent any practices intended to circumvent the reporting and due diligence procedures.
To that end, banks and other foreign financial institutions must exercise due diligence in determining who is a US person. The OECD created a sample CRS form to assist in FATCA reporting.
The problem with CRS forms
The OECD sample form is just a sample. FFIs are free to come up with their own forms. And many have. And therein lies a problem. There is a lack of a standard formatting, so wording and prompts vary FFI to FFI. The forms are rife with ambiguities as to meaning and context. Trying to find clear answers on how to fill out the form can be frustrating, as there are thousands of different permutations of these CRS forms in existence.
Finding a solution to these difficult forms
Our clients who have been having difficulty filling out these CRS FATCA forms have asked us to assist them. As we review the various forms sent in, we see the issue. Foreign entities are trying to comply with a legal system they are unfamiliar with. And even for English-speaking individuals, things get lost in translation.
So if you are having difficulty with filling out any FATCA forms, or a W-8BEN, or a W-9, or any US tax form, please feel free to contact us for help.
We offer 15 minute free consultations where we will discuss your issues and concerns along with giving you a cost estimate. We also offer hour long consultations in which will help you fill out your forms and answer any other specific questions you have about IRS compliance. The price for a one-hour consultation is $500 USD. Our main office is located just outside New York City and we are in the eastern time zone, but assist our clients worldwide.
The draft OECD CRS document text is below
* * *
Guidance for Financial Institutions Requesting the Form
The Following pages contain an example of a form that could be used to collect data from entities in relation to the CRS.
This form has been devised following the input of various industry experts on CRS, as an example, as to what could be used in order to attempt to create some market consistency and assist financial institutions in developing validation systems.
This is an example of the type of form that could be used by a Financial Institution. It should not be seen as a mandatory form.
Each financial Institution is free to use its own form, but as a minimum a financial institution should collect the mandatory data detailed in the CRS commentary in accordance with local rules and guidance. Each Financial Institution also may need to modify this form based on local rules, for example, to omit fields that are not permitted to be collected under applicable law.
Fields marked with a * are mandatory, subject to variations in local rules. Financial Institutions may also be able to collect the information required to be reported in another way (i.e., other than on the self-certification). For a self-certification to be valid, however, it generally must contain the Account Holder’s (i) name, (ii) address, (iii) jurisdiction(s) of residence for tax purposes, and (iv) tax identifying number for each Reportable Jurisdiction. Jurisdictions adopting the wider approach may require that the self-certification include a tax identifying number for each jurisdiction of residence (rather than for each Reportable Jurisdiction).
Financial Institutions should consider the blue text contained in square brackets and use the language that fits their operational needs. For example, in Part 4 a Financial Institution should choose the time-limits applicable to its own procedures, (for example “30 days”). In Part 4, please also note that the CRS does not require a Financial Institution to collect a certified copy of the power of attorney; the form includes this language as optional on the part of the Financial Institution.
If a Financial Institution knows or has reason to know that a self-certification is incorrect, it is expected that in the course of the account opening procedures the Reporting Financial Institution would obtain either (i) a valid self- certification, or (ii) a reasonable explanation and documentation (as appropriate) supporting the reasonableness of the self-certification (and retain a copy or a notation of such explanation and documentation).
Entity tax residency self-certification form INSTRUCTIONS
CRS – E
Please read these instructions before completing the form.
“Regulations based on the OECD Common Reporting Standard (“CRS”)”] require [insert “Financial Institutions” or insert the individual Financial Institution’s name] to collect and report certain information about an account holder’s tax residency. If the account holder’s tax residence is located outside [insert : individual country name (e.g. Italy) or following text “the country where the FI maintaining the account is located”], we may be legally obliged to pass on the information in this form and other financial information with respect to your financial accounts to [insert: name of local tax authorities (e.g. HMRC) or text” the tax authorities in the country where the FI is located”] and they may exchange this information with tax authorities of another jurisdiction or jurisdictions pursuant to intergovernmental agreements to exchange financial account information.
You can find summaries of defined terms such as an account holder, and other terms, in the Appendix.
This form will remain valid unless there is a change in circumstances relating to information, such as the account holder’s tax status or other mandatory field information, that makes this form incorrect or incomplete. In that case you must notify us and provide an updated self-certification.
This form is intended to request information consistent with local law requirements.
Please complete this form where you need to self-certify on behalf of an entity account holder.
If you are an individual account holder or sole trader or sole proprietor do not complete this form. Instead please complete an “Individual tax residency self-certification form.”
For joint or multiple account holders please complete a separate form for each account holder.
If the Account Holder is a U.S. tax resident under U.S. law, you should indicate that the account holder is a U.S. tax resident on this form and you may also need to fill in an IRS W-9 form. For more information on tax residence, please consult your tax adviser or the information at the OECD automatic exchange of information portal.
Where the Account Holder is a Passive NFE, or an Investment Entity located in a Non-Participating Jurisdiction managed by another Financial Institution
Please provide information on the natural person(s) who exercise control over the Account Holder (individuals referred to as “Controlling Person(s)”) by completing a “Controlling Person tax residency self-certification form” for each Controlling Person. This information should be provided by all Investment Entities located in a Non-Participating Jurisdiction and managed by another Financial Institution.
You should indicate the capacity in which you have signed in Part 4. For example you may be the custodian or nominee of an account on behalf of the account holder, or you may be completing the form under a signatory authority or power of attorney.
As a financial institution, we are not allowed to give tax advice.
Your tax adviser may be able to assist you in answering specific questions on this form. Your domestic tax authority can provide guidance regarding how to determine your tax status.
You can also find out more, including a list of jurisdictions that have signed agreements to automatically exchange information, along with details about the information being requested, on the OECD automatic exchange of information portal.
Entity tax residency self-certification FORM – (please complete parts 1-3 in BLOCK CAPITALS)
Part 1 –Identification of Account Holder
A. Legal Name of Entity/Branch*
B. Country of incorporation or organisation
C. Current Residence Address
Line 1 (e.g. House/Apt/Suite Name, Number, Street, if any)*
Line 2 (e.g. Town/City/Province/County/State)*
Country *
Postal Code/ZIP Code (if any)*
D. Mailing Address (please only complete if different to the address shown in Section C above)
Line 1 (e.g. House/Apt/Suite Name, Number, Street)
Line 2 (e.g. Town/City/Province/County/State)
Country
Postal Code/ZIP Code
Part 2 – Entity Type Please provide the Account Holder’s Status by ticking one of the following boxes.
1. (a) Financial Institution – Investment Entity
i. An Investment Entity located in a Non-Participating Jurisdiction and managed by another Financial Institution (Note: if ticking this box please also complete Part 2(2) below)
.
ii. Other Investment Entity
.
(b) Financial Institution – Depository Institution, Custodial Institution or Specified Insurance Company
.
If you have ticked (a) or (b) above, please provide, if held, the Account Holder’s Global Intermediary Identification Number (“GIIN”) obtained for FATCA purposes.
.
.
.
(c) Active NFE – a corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on an established securities market or a corporation which is a related entity of such a corporation
.
If you have ticked (c), please provide the name of the established securities market on which the corporation is regularly traded: ____________________________________________________________________________________
If you are a Related Entity of a regularly traded corporation, please provide the name of the regularly traded corporation that the Entity in (c) is a Related Entity of:__________________________________________________________________
(d) Active NFE – a Government Entity or Central Bank
.
(e) Active NFE – an International Organisation
.
(f) Active NFE – other than (c)-(e) (for example a start-up NFE or a non-profit NFE)
(c) (d)
.
(g) Passive NFE (Note: if ticking this box please also complete Part 2(2) below)
(e) (f)
.
2. If you have ticked 1(a)(i) or 1(g) above, then please:
a. Indicate the name of any Controlling Person(s) of the Account Holder:*
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
b. Complete “Controlling Person tax residency self-certification form” for each Controlling Person.*
Please see the definition of Controlling Person in Appendix
Part 3 – Country/Jurisdiction of Residence for Tax Purposes and related Taxpayer Identification Number or functional equivalent* (“TIN”) (see Appendix)
Please complete the following table indicating (i) where the Account Holder is tax resident and (ii) the Account Holder’s TIN for each country/Reportable Jurisdiction indicated. Countries/Jurisdictions adopting the wider approach may require that the self-certification include a tax identifying number for each jurisdiction of residence (rather than for each Reportable Jurisdiction).
If the Account Holder is not tax resident in any country/jurisdiction (e.g., because it is fiscally transparent), please indicate that on line 1 and provide its place of effective management or jurisdiction in which its principal office is located.
If the Account Holder is tax resident in more than three countries/jurisdictions, please use a separate sheet
If a TIN is unavailable please provide the appropriate reason A, B or C where appropriate:
Reason A – The country/jurisdiction where the Account Holder is resident does not issue TINs to its residents
Reason B – The Account Holder is otherwise unable to obtain a TIN or equivalent number (Please explain why you are unable to obtain a TIN in the below table if you have selected this reason)
Reason C – No TIN is required. (Note. Only select this reason if the domestic law of the relevant jurisdiction does not require the collection of the TIN issued by such jurisdiction)
Country/Jurisdiction of tax residence
TIN
If no TIN available enter
Reason A,B or C
1
2
3
Please explain in the following boxes why you are unable to obtain a TIN if you selected Reason B above.
1
2
3
Part 4 – Declaration and Signature*
I understand that the information supplied by me is covered by the full provisions of the terms and conditions governing the Account Holder’s relationship with [insert following text “the Financial Institution that maintains the account” or insert FI’s name] setting out how [that Financial Institution /insert FI’s name] may use and share the information supplied by me.
I acknowledge that the information contained in this form and information regarding the Account Holder and any Reportable Account(s) may be reported to the tax authorities of the country/jurisdiction in which this account(s) is/are maintained and exchanged with tax authorities of another country/jurisdiction or countries/jurisdictions in which the Account Holder may be tax resident pursuant to intergovernmental agreements to exchange financial account information.
I certify that I am authorised to sign for the Account Holder in respect of all the account(s) to which this form relates.
I declare that all statements made in this declaration are, to the best of my knowledge and belief, correct and complete.
I undertake to advise [the Financial Institution/insert FI’s name] within [XX] days of any change in circumstances which affects the tax residency status of the Account Holder identified in Part 1 of this form or causes the information contained herein to become incorrect or incomplete (including any changes to the information on controlling persons identified in Part 2 question 2a), and to provide [the Financial Institution that maintains the account/FI’s name] with a suitably updated self-certification and Declaration within [up to XX] days of such change in circumstances.
Signature:* ________________________________________________
Print name:* ________________________________________________
Date:* (dd/mm/yyyy) ________________________________________________
Note: Please indicate the capacity in which you are signing the form (for example ‘Authorised Officer’).
If signing under a power of attorney please also attach a certified copy of the power of attorney.
Capacity: * ____________________________________________
Appendix – Summary Descriptions of Select Defined Terms
Note: These are selected summaries of defined terms provided to assist you with the completion of this form. Further details can be found within the OECD “Common Reporting Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information” (the “CRS”), the associated “Commentary” to the CRS, and domestic guidance. This can be found at the OECD automatic exchange of information portal.
If you have any questions then please contact your tax adviser or domestic tax authority.
“Account Holder”
The “Account Holder” is the person listed or identified as the holder of a Financial Account by the Financial Institution that maintains the account. This is regardless of whether such person is a flow-through Entity. Thus, for example, if a trust or an estate is listed as the holder or owner of a Financial Account, the trust or estate is the Account Holder, rather than the trustee or the trust’s owners or beneficiaries. Similarly, if a partnership is listed as the holder or owner of a Financial Account, the partnership is the Account Holder, rather than the partners in the partnership. A person, other than a
Financial Institution, holding a Financial Account for the benefit or account of another person as agent, custodian, nominee, signatory, investment advisor, or intermediary, is not treated as holding the account, and such other person is treated as holding the account.
“Active NFE”
An NFE is an Active NFE if it meets any of the criteria listed below. In summary, those criteria refer to:
. active NFEs by reason of income and assets; . publicly traded NFEs; . Governmental Entities, International Organisations, Central Banks, or their wholly owned Entities; . holding NFEs that are members of a nonfinancial group; . start-up NFEs; . NFEs that are liquidating or emerging from bankruptcy; . treasury centres that are members of a nonfinancial group; or . non-profit NFEs.
An entity will be classified as Active NFE if it meets any of the following criteria:
a) less than 50% of the NFE’s gross income for the preceding calendar year or other appropriate reporting period is passive income and less than 50% of the assets held by the NFE during the preceding calendar year or other appropriate reporting period are assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income; b) the stock of the NFE is regularly traded on an established securities market or the NFE is a Related Entity of an Entity the stock of which is regularly traded on an established securities market; c) the NFE is a Governmental Entity, an International Organisation, a Central Bank, or an Entity wholly owned by one or more of the foregoing; d) substantially all of the activities of the NFE consist of holding (in whole or in part) the outstanding stock of, or providing financing and services to, one or more subsidiaries that engage in trades or businesses other than the business of a Financial Institution, except that an Entity does not qualify for this status if the Entity functions (or holds itself out) as an investment fund, such as a private equity fund, venture capital fund, leveraged buyout fund, or any investment vehicle whose purpose is to acquire or fund companies and then hold interests in those companies as capital assets for investment purposes;
e) the NFE is not yet operating a business and has no prior operating history, (a “ start-up NFE”) but is investing capital into assets with the intent to operate a business other than that of a Financial Institution, provided that the NFE does not qualify for this exception after the date that is 24 months after the date of the initial organisation of the NFE; f) the NFE was not a Financial Institution in the past five years, and is in the process of liquidating its assets or is reorganising with the intent to continue or recommence operations in a business other than that of a Financial Institution; g) the NFE primarily engages in financing and hedging transactions with, or for, Related Entities that are not Financial Institutions, and does not provide financing or hedging services to any Entity that is not a Related Entity, provided that the group of any such Related Entities is primarily engaged in a business other than that of a Financial Institution; or h) the NFE meets all of the following requirements (a “non-profit NFE”) :
i) it is established and operated in its jurisdiction of residence exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, artistic, cultural, athletic, or educational purposes; or it is established and operated in its jurisdiction of residence and it is a professional organisation, business league, chamber of commerce, labour organisation, agricultural or horticultural organisation, civic league or an organisation operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare;
ii) it is exempt from income tax in its jurisdiction of residence;
iii) it has no shareholders or members who have a proprietary or beneficial interest in its income or assets;
iv) the applicable laws of the NFE’s jurisdiction of residence or the NFE’s formation documents do not permit any income or assets of the NFE to be distributed to, or applied for the benefit of, a private person or non-charitable Entity other than pursuant to the conduct of the NFE’s charitable activities, or as payment of reasonable compensation for services rendered, or as payment representing the fair market value of property which the NFE has purchased; and
v) the applicable laws of the NFE’s jurisdiction of residence or the NFE’s formation documents require that, upon the NFE’s liquidation or dissolution, all of its assets be distributed to a Governmental Entity or other non-profit organisation, or escheat to the government of the NFE’s jurisdiction of residence or any political subdivision.
Note: Certain entities (such as U.S. Territory NFFEs) may qualify for Active NFFE status under FATCA but not Active NFE status under the CRS.
“Control”
“Control” over an Entity is generally exercised by the natural person(s) who ultimately has a controlling ownership interest (typically on the basis of a certain percentage (e.g. 25%)) in the Entity. Where no natural person(s) exercises control through ownership interests, the Controlling Person(s) of the Entity will be the natural person(s) who exercises control of the Entity through other means. Where no natural person(s) is/are identified as exercising control of the Entity through ownership interests, then under the CRS the Reportable Person is deemed to be the natural person who hold the position of senior managing official.
“Controlling Person(s)”
“Controlling Persons” are the natural person(s) who exercise control over an entity. Where that entity is treated as a Passive Non-Financial Entity (“Passive NFE”) then a Financial Institution is required to determine whether or not these Controlling Persons are Reportable Persons. This definition corresponds to the term “beneficial owner” described in Recommendation 10 and the Interpretative Note on Recommendation 10 of the Financial Action Task Force Recommendations (as adopted in February 2012).
In the case of a trust, the Controlling Person(s) are the settlor(s), the trustee(s), the protector(s) (if any), the beneficiary(ies) or class(es) of beneficiaries, or any other natural person(s) exercising ultimate effective control over the trust (including through a chain of control or ownership). Under the CRS the settlor(s), the trustee(s), the protector(s) (if any), and the beneficiary(ies) or class(es) of beneficiaries, are always treated as Controlling Persons of a trust, regardless of whether or not any of them exercises control over the activities of the trust.
Where the settlor(s) of a trust is an Entity then the CRS requires Financial Institutions to also identify the Controlling Persons of the settlor(s) and when required report them as Controlling Persons of the trust.
In the case of a legal arrangement other than a trust, “Controlling Person(s) means persons in equivalent or similar positions.
“Custodial Institution”
The term “Custodial Institution” means any Entity that holds, as a substantial portion of its business, Financial Assets for the account of others. This is where the Entity’s gross income attributable to the holding of Financial Assets and related financial services equals or exceeds 20% of the Entity’s gross income during the shorter of: (i) the three-year period that ends on 31 December (or the final day of a non-calendar year accounting period) prior to the year in which the determination is being made; or (ii) the period during which the Entity has been in existence.
"Depository Institution"
The term “Depository Institution” means any Entity that accepts deposits in the ordinary course of a banking or similar business.
“FATCA”
FATCA stands for the U.S. provisions commonly known as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, which were enacted into U.S. law as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act on March 18, 2010. FATCA creates a new information reporting and withholding regime for payments made to certain non-U.S. financial institutions and other non-U.S. entities.
“Entity”
The term “Entity” means a legal person or a legal arrangement, such as a corporation, organisation, partnership, trust or foundation. This term covers any person other than an individual (i.e. a natural person).
“Financial Institution”
The term “Financial Institution” means a “Custodial Institution”, a “Depository Institution”, an “Investment Entity”, or a “Specified Insurance Company”. Please see the relevant domestic guidance and the CRS for further classification definitions that apply to Financial Institutions.
"Investment Entity”
The term “Investment Entity” includes two types of Entities:
(i) an Entity that primarily conducts as a business one or more of the following activities or operations for or on behalf of a customer:
. Trading in money market instruments (cheques, bills, certificates of deposit, derivatives, etc.); foreign exchange; exchange, interest rate and index instruments; transferable securities; or commodity futures trading; . Individual and collective portfolio management; or . Otherwise investing, administering, or managing Financial Assets or money on behalf of other persons.
Such activities or operations do not include rendering non-binding investment advice to a customer.
(ii) ”The second type of “Investment Entity” (“Investment Entity managed by another Financial Institution”) is any Entity the gross income of which is primarily attributable to investing, reinvesting, or trading in Financial Assets where the Entity is managed by another Entity that is a Depository Institution, a Custodial Institution, a Specified Insurance Company, or the first type of Investment Entity.
“Investment Entity located in a Non-Participating Jurisdiction and managed by another Financial Institution”
The term “Investment Entity located in a Non-Participating Jurisdiction and managed by another Financial Institution” means any Entity the gross income of which is primarily attributable to investing, reinvesting, or trading in Financial Assets if the Entity is (i) managed by a Financial Institution and (ii) not a Participating Jurisdiction Financial Institution.
“Investment Entity managed by another Financial Institution”
”An Entity is “managed by” another Entity if the managing Entity performs, either directly or through another service provider on behalf of the managed Entity, any of the activities or operations described in clause (i) above in the definition of ‘Investment Entity’.
An Entity only manages another Entity if it has discretionary authority to manage the other Entity’s assets (either in whole or part). Where an Entity is managed by a mix of Financial Institutions, NFEs or individuals, the Entity is considered to be managed by another Entity that is a Depository Institution, a Custodial Institution, a Specified Insurance Company, or the first type of Investment Entity, if any of the managing Entities is such another Entity.
“NFE”
An “NFE” is any Entity that is not a Financial Institution.
“Non-Reporting Financial Institution”
A Non-Reporting Financial Institution” means any Financial Institution that is:
. a Governmental Entity, International Organisation or Central Bank, other than with respect to a payment that is derived from an obligation held in connection with a commercial financial activity of a type engaged in by a Specified Insurance Company, Custodial Institution, or Depository Institution; . a Broad Participation Retirement Fund; a Narrow Participation Retirement Fund; a Pension Fund of a Governmental Entity, International Organisation or Central Bank; or a Qualified Credit Card Issuer; . an Exempt Collective Investment Vehicle; or . a Trustee-Documented Trust: a trust where the trustee of the trust is a Reporting Financial Institution and reports all information required to be reported with respect to all Reportable Accounts of the trust; . any other defined in a countries domestic law as a Non-Reporting Financial Institution.
“Participating Jurisdiction”
A “Participating Jurisdiction” means a jurisdiction with which an agreement is in place pursuant to which it will provide the information required on the automatic exchange of financial account information set out in the Common Reporting Standard and that is identified in a published list.
“Participating Jurisdiction Financial Institution”
The term “Participating Jurisdiction Financial Institution means (i) any Financial Institution that is tax resident in a Participating Jurisdiction, but excludes any branch of that Financial Institution that is located outside of that jurisdiction, and (ii) any branch of a Financial Institution that is not tax resident in a Participating Jurisdiction, if that branch is located in such Participating Jurisdiction.
“Passive NFE”
Under the CRS a “Passive NFE” means any NFE that is not an Active NFE. An Investment Entity located in a Non-Participating Jurisdiction and managed by another Financial Institution is also treated as a Passive NFE for purposes of the CRS.
“Related Entity”
An Entity is a “Related Entity” of another Entity if either Entity controls the other Entity, or the two Entities are under common control. For this purpose control includes direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of the vote and value in an Entity.
“Reportable Account”
The term “Reportable Account” means an account held by one or more Reportable Persons or by a Passive NFE with one or more Controlling Persons that is a Reportable Person.
“Reportable Jurisdiction”
A Reportable Jurisdiction is a jurisdiction with which an obligation to provide financial account information is in place and that is identified in a published list.
“Reportable Jurisdiction Person”
A Reportable Jurisdiction Person is an Entity that is tax resident in a Reportable Jurisdiction(s) under the tax laws of such jurisdiction(s) – by reference to local laws in the country where the Entity is established, incorporated or managed. An Entity such as a partnership, limited liability partnership or similar legal arrangement that has no residence for tax purposes shall be treated as resident in the jurisdiction in which its place of effective management is situated. As such if an Entity certifies that it has no residence for tax purposes it should complete the form stating the address of its principal office.
Dual resident Entities may rely on the tiebreaker rules contained in tax conventions (if applicable) to determine their residence for tax purposes.
“Reportable Person”
A “Reportable Person” is defined as a “Reportable Jurisdiction Person”, other than:
. a corporation the stock of which is regularly traded on one or more established securities markets; . any corporation that is a Related Entity of a corporation described in clause (i); . a Governmental Entity; . an International Organisation; . a Central Bank; or . a Financial Institution (except for an Investment Entity described in Sub Paragraph A(6) b) of the CRS that are not Participating Jurisdiction Financial Institutions. Instead, such Investment Entities are treated as Passive NFE’s.)
“Resident for tax purposes”
Each jurisdiction has its own rules for defining tax residence, and jurisdictions have provided information on how to determine whether an entity is tax resident in the jurisdiction on the OECD automatic exchange of information portal. Generally, an Entity will be resident for tax purposes in a jurisdiction if, under the laws of that jurisdiction (including tax conventions), it pays or should be paying tax therein by reason of his domicile, residence, place of management or incorporation, or any other criterion of a similar nature, and not only from sources in that jurisdiction. Dual resident Entities may rely on the tiebreaker rules contained in tax conventions (if applicable) to solve cases of double residence for determining their residence for tax purposes. An Entity such as a partnership, limited liability partnership or similar legal arrangement that has no residence for tax purposes shall be treated as resident in the jurisdiction in which its place of effective management is situated. For additional information on tax residence, please talk to your tax adviser or see the OECD automatic exchange of information portal.
“Specified Insurance Company"
The term “Specified Insurance Company” means any Entity that is an insurance company (or the holding company of an insurance company) that issues, or is obligated to make payments with respect to, a Cash Value Insurance Contract or an Annuity Contract.
“TIN” (including “functional equivalent”)
The term “TIN” means Taxpayer Identification Number or a functional equivalent in the absence of a TIN. A TIN is a unique combination of letters or numbers assigned by a jurisdiction to an individual or an Entity and used to identify the individual or Entity for the purposes of administering the tax laws of such jurisdiction. Further details of acceptable TINs can be found at the OECD automatic exchange of information portal.
Some jurisdictions do not issue a TIN. However, these jurisdictions often utilise some other high integrity number with an equivalent level of identification (a “functional equivalent”). Examples of that type of number include, for Entities, a Business/company registration code/number.
