Thin capitalization as a special form of debt financing used in policies pursued by holding companies

Niedostateczna kapitalizacja jako szczególna forma finansowania długiem w strategiach podatkowych holdingów międzynarodowych

The instrument of thin capitalization is of key importance in holding companies' international tax planning policies. This measure has been widely adopted by structures conducting cross-border business activity. That notwithstanding, shaping such policies through the use of thin capitalization requires a thorough knowledge of domestic regulations applicable in EU Member States that are concerned not only with the possibilities of employing this measure but also with the provisions limiting the use of thin capitalization. Analyzing the legal provisions on countering thin capitalization, it may be concluded that no measure offers absolute certainty that the negative consequences of the phenomenon of thin capitalization will be countered. The objective of the article is to indicate the most effective mechanisms adopted by international holding companies as well as the tax consequences that they bring about, and tax risk in particular.

Kluczowe znaczenie dla międzynarodowej polityki planowania podatkowego holdingów ma instrument niedostatecznej kapitalizacji. Zjawisko to jest dość powszechnie wykorzystywane przez struktury działające transgranicznie, jednak kreowanie polityki przy jego zastosowaniu wymaga biegłej znajomości regulacji wewnętrznych poszczególnych państw członkowskich UE, nie tylko odnoszących się do możliwości wykorzystywania tej konstrukcji, ale również przepisów ograniczających tzw. cienką kapitalizację. Celem artykułu jest wskazanie najbardziej efektywnych mechanizmów wykorzystywanych przez holdingi międzynarodowe i konsekwencji podatkowych, jakie za sobą niosą, a szczególnie unaocznienie, jakie jest ryzyko podatkowe.

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