Tax Planning: Aspects of Application of the Provisions of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants

Abstract

Recently, tax planning issues have become particularly important. First of all, this is due to the increased frequency of events related to tax evasion or significant underestimation of tax amounts, reflected in published journalistic investigations (Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, etc.). Variations in minimizing the tax burden may be different: from transactions between different countries to transfer pricing schemes. In this case, situations arise, primarily of an ethical nature for professional accountants when providing tax planning services for client enterprises or employer enterprises. This article is devoted to the analysis of the provisions of the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants in terms of tax planning and the development of proposals for its improvement. The author classifies tax planning into three categories: from standard to aggressive planning, while providing definitions and characteristics of each of these types. It should be noted that in tax planning, the correct application of the concept of a reliable basis plays an important role, but the International Code of Ethics does not provide a definition of such a concept. In turn, the author, analyzing this issue, formulates a definition of a reliable basis. JEL: M41