Worldwide fiscal stimulus: tax policy plays a major role

In the midst of the first true global recession we have experienced since World War II, fiscal stimulus-driven tax measures are being introduced by governments around the world. These tax measures present companies with a wide variety of options that could significantly improve their bottom line.

Generous new tax provisions are being adopted in at least one, and likely many, of the jurisdictions in which today's multinational corporations operate. While each country's stimulus efforts generally share the same goal - boosting demand and improving cash flow - their approaches have varied significantly, even on similar issues. Knowing what's out there, identifying an appropriate response and acting quickly will be critical to success. It is important that companies fully understand the implications in the countries where they operate and actively assess and plan for the future.

Please join Ernst & Young LLP for the first in a series of live, one-hour Thought Center Webcasts to discuss significant global tax policy developments and opportunities. During this program, a panel of Ernst & Young professionals will draw upon and expand on some of the emerging themes identified in Worldwide fiscal stimulus: tax policy plays a major role, a guide to fiscal stimulus measures in 24 key jurisdictions around the world.

The presenters will bring their practitioner knowledge, experience and global perspective to assist you in understanding the implications of the various stimulus-driven tax measures around the world and help you prepare for their impact. Among the topics that will be covered during the webcast will be:

• Country reactions, with specific examples
• Emerging themes that tax directors need to understand, including:
  • Accelerated depreciation
  • Loss carryforward and carryback provisions
  • Corporate income tax rate reductions
  • Research and development tax credit enhancements
  • Indirect tax activity
  • Personal income tax measures
• Key actions that tax directors can focus on to be successful

Participation will help keep you and other stakeholders in your organization, including audit committees and shareholders, informed about these issues.

Held twice, the webcast will cover global developments, using as a comparative backdrop the developments in the region in which you are located. As such, the first webcast - scheduled for 8:00 a.m. London / 5:00 p.m. Sydney, will address issues and provide illustrative examples from a point of view of Europe, Middle East and Asia; the second webcast - scheduled for 11:00 a.m. New York / 4:00 p.m. London, will be discussed from the perspective of the Americas and Europe. Please consider the particular emphasis of the webcast when you register your attendance.