In a significant development for international taxation, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has finalized a global agreement designed to prevent multinational companies from minimizing their tax bills by shifting profits to foreign low-tax authorities. The deal, which involves close to 150 countries, aims to impose a minimum corporate tax rate of 15% worldwide to reduce profit shifting regardless of where companies operate.
However, a recent amendment resulting from negotiations with the US government has led to a crucial exemption. Large US-based multinational firms will not be required to meet this 15% minimum tax in foreign jurisdictions. This exception marks a departure from the earlier global tax framework initiated in 2021.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann characterized the agreement as a "landmark decision in international tax co-operation," highlighting its role in improving tax clarity, simplifying compliance, and securing national tax revenues. Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the accord as “a historic victory in preserving US sovereignty and protecting American workers and businesses from extraterritorial overreach.”
The original 2021 agreement sought to address the practice of multinational corporations, such as Apple and Nike, redirecting profits to countries with minimal or no corporate taxes—places like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands—despite conducting negligible actual business there.
Janet Yellen, the former US Treasury Secretary and a principal advocate of the initial OECD tax plan, had prioritized establishing a global corporate minimum tax. However, the proposal faced strong opposition from Congressional Republicans, who argued that it would reduce US competitiveness internationally. Under the Trump administration, modifications were made to the agreement. These included withdrawing a so-called "revenge tax" provision that would have allowed the US to tax firms with foreign owners and impose measures against countries deemed to be imposing unfair taxing policies on American firms.
Organizations promoting tax transparency have criticized the softened agreement. Zorka Milin from the FACT Coalition warned that the current deal threatens to undermine nearly a decade of progress in global corporate taxation by enabling the most profitable American firms to continue allocating profits in tax havens. Such watchdog groups argue that the minimum tax is critical to halting a global "race to the bottom" in corporate tax rates, which distorts competition and erodes national tax revenues.
On the other hand, Republican congressional leaders have praised the finalized deal. Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Jason Smith jointly commended the agreement for supporting American interests and reversing what they view as concessions made by the Biden administration on global tax policies.
In summary, while the OECD's latest framework enhances global cooperation on taxation, the carve-out for major US multinationals reveals the complex balance between international collaboration and national economic priorities. The corporate sector continues to be at the center of debates over tax fairness, competitiveness, and regulatory sovereignty.