Comparative analysis of the definition and rules of controlled foreign corporations in the USA, UK, Poland, and Ukraine

Issue: № 2, 2025

Doi: https://doi.org/10.37634/efp.2025.2.10

The paper highlights the essence and evolution of the concept of "controlled foreign corporation" (CFC), summarizes and details the OECD recommendations for determining the type of organization eligible for CFC status, and elaborates on the key guidelines for drafting tax legislation to regulate the taxation of CFCs across various jurisdictions. The study systematically reviews OECD methodologies for defining control levels and identifying controlling persons, providing a comparative analysis of CFC rules in the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Ukraine. Special attention is given to differences in national implementations of CFC rules and their alignment with international tax frameworks, such as the OECD BEPS Action Plan and the EU Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD). The research highlights the impact of varying control thresholds, corporate structures, and tax treatment of CFC income on tax planning strategies and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the role of transparency measures and anti-avoidance provisions is assessed in mitigating tax base erosion and preventing harmful tax practices. A major focus is placed on Ukraine’s CFC legislation, which was introduced in 2020 and remains in an evolving stage. The paper evaluates its effectiveness in curbing tax avoidance while supporting economic stability in wartime conditions. Key findings suggest that adjusting control thresholds, refining CFC criteria, and enhancing enforcement mechanisms could improve tax revenue collection while maintaining compliance with OECD principles and international best practices. The study concludes by proposing legislative improvements to strengthen Ukraine’s CFC framework, ensuring its role in combating tax evasion and fostering a transparent and stable business environment. These recommendations include stricter monitoring mechanisms, improved enforcement of tax obligations, and alignment with proven regulatory models from other jurisdictions. The insights provided contribute to a deeper understanding of CFC regulations and their broader implications for global tax policy.

Keywords : controlled foreign companies, OECD BEPS Plan, control, tax avoidance, nonprofit organizations, fiscally transparent entities, permanent establishments, hybrid tax planning

References:

1. Designing effective controlled foreign company rules. Action 3: 2015 final report. OECD. 2015. URL: https://read.oecd-ilibrary.org/taxation/designing-effective-controlled-foreign-company-rules-action-3-2015-final-report_9789264241152-en#page1
2. Dueñas S. CFC rules around the world. Tax Fundation. Fiscal Fact. 2019 № 659. URL: https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/CFC-Rules-Around-the-World-FF-659.pdf
3. Ostorero L. Historical background to CFC-rules and policy considerations. Concept and implementation of cfc legislation. Series of international tax law. Bravo/Miladinovic (Eds), Linde. 2021. pp. 3-12. URL: https://books.google.com.ua/books/about/Concept_and_Implementation_of_CFC_Legisl.html?id=1ShVEAAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y
4. Kofler G., Krever R, Lang M., Owens J., Pistone P., Rust A., Schuch J., Spies K., Staringer C. Controled Foreign Company legislation. 2020. URL: https://www.ibfd.org/sites/default/files/2021-06/20_007_Controlled_Foreign_Company_Legislation_final_web.pdf
5. Atamanchuk A.N., Monaienko A.O. Legal Regulation of the Main Elements of Controlled Foreign Company Rules: World Experience and Opportunities for Ukraine. Nove ukrainske pravo. 2022. no. 2. pp. 93–100. URL: http://newukrainianlaw.in.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/238/216 (in Ukrainian).
6. Lowndes C.L.B. The 1934 Edition of the Federal Revenue Act. Minnesota Law Review. URL: https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1990&context=mlr
7. The Revenue Act of 1937. The American Economic Review. 1937. vol. 27. no. 1. URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1801981
8. United States Congress. Public Law 87-834: Revenue Act of 1962, October 16, 1962. URL: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE-76/pdf/STATUTE-76-Pg960.pdf
9. United States Code. Title 26, § 1297: Passive Foreign Investment Company. URL: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/1297
10. Dueñas, S., Bunn, D. How Controlled Foreign Corporation Rules Look Around the World: United Kingdom. Tax Foundation, 2019. URL: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/uk-cfc-rules/
11. United States Code. Title 26, § 957: Controlled Foreign Corporations; United States Persons. URL: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/957
12. Dueñas, S., Bunn, D. How Controlled Foreign Corporation Rules Look Around the World: United States of America. Tax Foundation, 2019. URL: https://taxfoundation.org/blog/controlled-foreign-corporation-rules-around-the-world-united-states/
13. HM Revenue & Customs. INTM254360 - Controlled Foreign Companies: Definitions. HMRC Internal Manual, 2025. URL: https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/international-manual/intm254360
14. United Kingdom. Finance Act 2012. Part 4. UK Legislation, 2012. URL: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/14/part/4/enacted
15. Poland. Ustawa z dnia 26.07.1991 r. o podatku dochodowym od osób fizycznych. URL: https://przepisy.gofin.pl/przepisyno,700,91380,0,0,20150101,2,0.html
16. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine Regarding the Improvement of Tax Administration, Elimination of Technical and Logical Inconsistencies in Tax Legislation: Law of Ukraine No. 466-IX, Article 39-2, January 16, 2020. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/466-20#Text. (in Ukrainian).
17. Poland. Ustawa o podatku dochodowym od osób prawnych. Art. 19. URL: https://lexlege.pl/ustawa-o-podatku-dochodowym-od-osob-prawnych/art-19/
18. Council of the European Union. Directive 2011/96/EU of 30 November 2011 on the Common System of Taxation Applicable to Parent Companies and Subsidiaries of Different Member States. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/984_011-11#n96
19. Savka O.P. Financial Aspects of Controlled Foreign Companies: Modern Challenges. Financial System of the Country: Trends and Prospects for Development: Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference. Ostroh, 2023, pp. 231–233. URL: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UULce3_mub3HZkb7TpHYKVUdMoD1kpDI/view (in Ukrainian).
20. Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Stimulation of the Development of the Digital Economy in Ukraine: Law of Ukraine No. 4113-IX, December 4, 2024. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/4113-20 (in Ukrainian).
21. Bhushan S.G. Fiscally Transparent Entities. CA Club India, 2018. URL: https://www.caclubindia.com/articles/fiscally-transparent-entities-31586.asp
22. Controlled foreign company (CFC) - GEMET Thesaurus. Eionet. URL: https://www.eionet.europa.eu/gemet/uk/concept/654
23. Sersk V. Tax Splitting: Illusory Benefits and Real Problems. Fisco-id, 2001. URL: https://fisco-id.com/download.php?m=an&l=ua&id=36. (in Ukrainian).
24. U.S. Code § 953 - Insurance income - Legal Definitions. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. URL: https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=26-USC-269168589-459246278&term_occur=999&term_src=title:26:subtitle:A:chapter:1:subchapter:N:part:III:subpart:F:section:953
25. U.S. Code § 958 - Rules for determining stock ownership. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. URL: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/958
26. Probate Estate - Legal Definitions. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. URL: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/probate_estate

 

Download paper