Notice of Determination Pursuant to Section 301: Italy's Digital Services Tax, 2477-2478 [2021-00363]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 7 / Tuesday, January 12, 2021 / Notices Respondents: Registrants are required to report changes or corrections in data submitted on the SSS Form 1. Frequency: When changes in a registrant’s name or address occur. Burden: A burden of two minutes or less on the individual respondent. Change: Registrant may now update their email address and phone number. Copies of the above identified forms can be obtained upon written request to the Selective Service System, Operations Directorate, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22209– 2425. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed extension of clearance of the form should be sent within 30 days of the publication of this notice to the Selective Service System, Operations Directorate, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22209–2425. A copy of the comments should be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Desk Officer, Selective Service System, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 3235, Washington, DC 20503. Wadi Yakhour, Chief of Staff. [FR Doc. 2021–00448 Filed 1–11–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8015–01–P SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under OMB Review Small Business Administration. 30-Day notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Small Business Administration (SBA) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act and OMB procedures, SBA is publishing this notice to allow all interested member of the public an additional 30 days to provide comments on the proposed collection of information. SUMMARY: Submit comments on or before February 11, 2021. ADDRESSES: Submit comments by the deadline stated in the DATES section above to: • www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRAMain. You can find this information collection by selecting ‘‘Currently under Review—Open for Public Comments’’ and searching by title, ‘‘SBA Microloan Program Outcome Evaluation’’; and khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:09 Jan 11, 2021 Jkt 253001 • Curtis Rich, Agency Clearance Officer, curtis.rich@sba.gov; 202–205– 7030 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shay Meinzer, Lead Program Evaluator, shay.meinzer@sba.gov; 202–539–1429. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Copies: You may obtain a copy of the information collection and supporting documents from the Agency Clearance Officer or Lead Program Evaluator. The SBA Microloan Program surveys and interviews will be completed by borrowers and intermediary lenders that participated in the program. 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The public is invited to submit comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including the following: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency’s functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden of those who are required to respond to the request for information. Curtis Rich, Management Analyst. [FR Doc. 2021–00320 Filed 1–11–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8026–03–P SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD Release of Waybill Data The Surface Transportation Board has received a request from the Association of American Railroads (WB21–03—1/6/ 21) for permission to use data from the Board’s 2019 Masked Carload Waybill Sample along with continued access to previously received datasets. A copy of this request may be obtained from the PO 00000 Frm 00098 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 2477 Board’s website under docket no. WB21–03. The waybill sample contains confidential railroad and shipper data; therefore, if any parties object to these requests, they should file their objections with the Director of the Board’s Office of Economics within 14 calendar days of the date of this notice. The rules for release of waybill data are codified at 49 CFR 1244.9. Contact: Alexander Dusenberry, (202) 245–0319. Aretha Laws-Byrum, Clearance Clerk. [FR Doc. 2021–00433 Filed 1–11–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4915–01–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Notice of Determination Pursuant to Section 301: Italy’s Digital Services Tax Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The U.S. Trade Representative has determined that Italy’s Digital Services Tax (DST) is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce and thus is actionable under Section 301. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning the investigation, please contact Thomas Au or Patrick Childress, Assistant General Counsels at (202) 395–0380 and (202) 395–9531, respectively, Robert Tanner, Director, Services and Investment at (202) 395– 6125, or Michael Rogers, Director, Europe and the Middle East at (202) 395–2684. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Italy’s DST Based on information obtained during the investigation, USTR has prepared a comprehensive report on Italy’s DST (Italy DST Report). The Italy DST Report, which is posted on the USTR website at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/ enforcement/section-301-investigations/ section-301-digital-services-taxes, includes a full description of Italy’s DST. To summarize, Italy adopted the operative form of its DST on December 27, 2019. The DST applies to companies that, during the previous calendar year, generated Ö750 million or more in worldwide revenues and Ö5.5 million or more in revenues deriving from the provision of digital services in Italy. The tax applies as of January 1, 2020. E:\FR\FM\12JAN1.SGM 12JAN1 2478 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 7 / Tuesday, January 12, 2021 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES II. Proceedings in the Investigation On June 2, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative initiated an investigation of Italy’s DST pursuant to section 302(b)(1)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act). 85 FR 34709 (June 5, 2020) (notice of initiation). The notice of initiation solicited written comments on, inter alia, the following aspects of Italy’s DST: Discrimination against U.S. companies; retroactivity; and possibly unreasonable tax policy. With respect to tax policy, USTR solicited comments on, inter alia, whether the DST diverges from principles reflected in the U.S. and international tax systems, including extraterritoriality; taxing revenue not income; and a purpose of penalizing particular technology companies for their commercial success. Interested persons filed over 380 written submissions in response to the notice of initiation. The public submissions are available on www.regulations.gov in docket number USTR–2020–0022. Under Section 303 of the Trade Act, the U.S. Trade Representative requested consultations with the Government of Italy regarding the issues involved in the investigation. Consultations were held on November 10, 2020. As noted, based on information obtained during the investigation, USTR has prepared and published the Italy DST Report, which includes a comprehensive discussion on whether the acts, policies, and practices under investigation are actionable under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act. The Italy DST Report supports findings that Italy’s DST is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce. III. Determination on the Act, Policy, or Practice Under Investigation Based on the information obtained during the investigation, and taking account of public comments and the advice of the Section 301 Committee and advisory committees, the U.S. Trade Representative has made the following determination under sections 301(b) and 304(a) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2411(b) and 2414(a)): The act, policy, or practice covered in the investigation, namely Italy’s DST, is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and thus is actionable under section 301(b) of the Trade Act. In particular: 1. Italy’s DST, by its structure and operation, discriminates against U.S. digital companies, including due to the selection of covered services and the revenue thresholds. 2. Italy’s DST is unreasonable because it is inconsistent with principles of VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:09 Jan 11, 2021 Jkt 253001 international taxation, including due to application to revenue rather than income and extraterritoriality. 3. Italy’s DST burdens or restricts U.S. commerce. IV. Further Proceedings Sections 301(b) and 304(a)(1)(B) of the Trade Act provide that if the U.S. Trade Representative determines that an act, policy, or practice of a foreign country is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts United States commerce, the U.S. Trade Representative shall determine what action, if any, to take under Section 301(b). These matters will be addressed in subsequent proceedings under Section 301. Joseph Barloon, General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative. [FR Doc. 2021–00363 Filed 1–11–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3290–F0–P OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Notice of Determination Pursuant to Section 301: India’s Digital Services Tax Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The U.S. Trade Representative has determined that India’s Digital Services Tax (DST) is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce and thus is actionable under Section 301. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning the investigation, please contact Thomas Au or Patrick Childress, Assistant General Counsels at (202) 395–0380 and (202) 395–9531, respectively, Robert Tanner, Director, Services and Investment at (202) 395– 6125, or Brendan Lynch, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, South and Central Asian Affairs, 202– 395–2851. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. India’s DST Based on information obtained during the investigation, USTR has prepared a comprehensive report on India’s DST (India DST Report). The India DST Report, which is posted on the USTR website at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/ enforcement/section-301-investigations/ section-301-digital-services-taxes, includes a full description of India’s DST. To summarize, India adopted the operative form of its DST on March 27, 2020. India’s DST imposes a two PO 00000 Frm 00099 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 percent tax on revenue generated from a broad range of digital services offered in India, including digital platform services, digital content sales, digital sales of a company’s own goods, datarelated services, software-as-a-service, and several other categories of digital services. India’s DST only applies to ‘‘non-resident’’ companies. The tax applies as of April 1, 2020. II. Proceedings in the Investigation On June 2, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative initiated an investigation of India’s DST pursuant to section 302(b)(1)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act). 85 FR 34709 (June 5, 2020) (notice of initiation). The notice of initiation solicited written comments on, inter alia, the following aspects of India’s DST: Discrimination against U.S. companies and unreasonableness as tax policy. With respect to unreasonable tax policy, USTR solicited comments on, inter alia, whether the DST diverges from principles reflected in the U.S. and international tax systems, including extraterritorial application and taxing revenue rather than income. Interested persons filed over 380 written submissions in response to the notice of initiation. The public submissions are available on www.regulations.gov in docket number USTR–2020–0022. Under Section 303 of the Trade Act, the U.S. Trade Representative requested consultations with the Government of India regarding the issues involved in the investigation. Consultations were held on November 5, 2020. As noted, based on information obtained during the investigation, USTR has prepared and published the India DST Report, which includes a comprehensive discussion on whether the acts, policies, and practices under investigation are actionable under Section 301(b) of the Trade Act. The India DST Report supports findings that India’s DST is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce. III. Determination on the Act, Policy, or Practice Under Investigation Based on the information obtained during the investigation, and taking account of public comments and the advice of the Section 301 Committee and advisory committees, the U.S. Trade Representative has made the following determination under sections 301(b) and 304(a) of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2411(b) and 2414(a)): The act, policy, or practice covered in the investigation, namely India’s DST, is unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and is thus actionable E:\FR\FM\12JAN1.SGM 12JAN1

Agencies

Office of the United States Trade Representative

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2477-2478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-00363]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Notice of Determination Pursuant to Section 301: Italy's Digital 
Services Tax

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Trade Representative has determined that Italy's 
Digital Services Tax (DST) is unreasonable or discriminatory and 
burdens or restricts U.S. commerce and thus is actionable under Section 
301.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions concerning the 
investigation, please contact Thomas Au or Patrick Childress, Assistant 
General Counsels at (202) 395-0380 and (202) 395-9531, respectively, 
Robert Tanner, Director, Services and Investment at (202) 395-6125, or 
Michael Rogers, Director, Europe and the Middle East at (202) 395-2684.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Italy's DST

    Based on information obtained during the investigation, USTR has 
prepared a comprehensive report on Italy's DST (Italy DST Report). The 
Italy DST Report, which is posted on the USTR website at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/section-301-digital-services-taxes, includes a full description of Italy's DST. 
To summarize, Italy adopted the operative form of its DST on December 
27, 2019. The DST applies to companies that, during the previous 
calendar year, generated [euro]750 million or more in worldwide 
revenues and [euro]5.5 million or more in revenues deriving from the 
provision of digital services in Italy. The tax applies as of January 
1, 2020.

[[Page 2478]]

II. Proceedings in the Investigation

    On June 2, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative initiated an 
investigation of Italy's DST pursuant to section 302(b)(1)(A) of the 
Trade Act of 1974, as amended (Trade Act). 85 FR 34709 (June 5, 2020) 
(notice of initiation). The notice of initiation solicited written 
comments on, inter alia, the following aspects of Italy's DST: 
Discrimination against U.S. companies; retroactivity; and possibly 
unreasonable tax policy. With respect to tax policy, USTR solicited 
comments on, inter alia, whether the DST diverges from principles 
reflected in the U.S. and international tax systems, including 
extraterritoriality; taxing revenue not income; and a purpose of 
penalizing particular technology companies for their commercial 
success.
    Interested persons filed over 380 written submissions in response 
to the notice of initiation. The public submissions are available on 
www.regulations.gov in docket number USTR-2020-0022.
    Under Section 303 of the Trade Act, the U.S. Trade Representative 
requested consultations with the Government of Italy regarding the 
issues involved in the investigation. Consultations were held on 
November 10, 2020.
    As noted, based on information obtained during the investigation, 
USTR has prepared and published the Italy DST Report, which includes a 
comprehensive discussion on whether the acts, policies, and practices 
under investigation are actionable under Section 301(b) of the Trade 
Act. The Italy DST Report supports findings that Italy's DST is 
unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce.

III. Determination on the Act, Policy, or Practice Under Investigation

    Based on the information obtained during the investigation, and 
taking account of public comments and the advice of the Section 301 
Committee and advisory committees, the U.S. Trade Representative has 
made the following determination under sections 301(b) and 304(a) of 
the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2411(b) and 2414(a)): The act, policy, or 
practice covered in the investigation, namely Italy's DST, is 
unreasonable or discriminatory and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, 
and thus is actionable under section 301(b) of the Trade Act. In 
particular:
    1. Italy's DST, by its structure and operation, discriminates 
against U.S. digital companies, including due to the selection of 
covered services and the revenue thresholds.
    2. Italy's DST is unreasonable because it is inconsistent with 
principles of international taxation, including due to application to 
revenue rather than income and extraterritoriality.
    3. Italy's DST burdens or restricts U.S. commerce.

IV. Further Proceedings

    Sections 301(b) and 304(a)(1)(B) of the Trade Act provide that if 
the U.S. Trade Representative determines that an act, policy, or 
practice of a foreign country is unreasonable or discriminatory and 
burdens or restricts United States commerce, the U.S. Trade 
Representative shall determine what action, if any, to take under 
Section 301(b). These matters will be addressed in subsequent 
proceedings under Section 301.

Joseph Barloon,
General Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2021-00363 Filed 1-11-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F0-P

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