Group Loss Relief and Delaware LLCs – Introduction
On 3 October 2024, the Irish High Court issued an important judgment concerning the tax residency of a Delaware LLC under the US/Ireland Double Tax Treaty (DTA).
This case involved the ability of three Irish subsidiaries of a Delaware LLC to claim group loss relief under Section 411 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
The key question was whether the Delaware LLC was considered “liable to tax” and thus “resident” under Article 4 of the US/Ireland DTA, which would enable the subsidiaries to claim group relief.
The High Court’s decision ultimately denied this relief.
Background
The appeal was brought by Susquehanna International Group Ltd and two other companies, which sought to claim group relief by arguing that their parent, a Delaware LLC, was tax resident in the US.
The Irish Revenue disagreed, asserting that the LLC was not a company for group relief purposes and was not tax resident in the US under the DTA.
The crux of the issue was that the LLC was a disregarded entity for US tax purposes, meaning it was not subject to tax at the entity level.
Instead, its members, including several S Corporations and individuals, were taxed on their share of the LLC’s income.
This complex ownership structure raised questions about whether the LLC could be considered a separate taxable entity eligible for group relief.
The Tax Appeals Commission Decision
Initially, the Tax Appeals Commission ruled in favour of the taxpayer, finding that the LLC was a company for the purposes of group relief and that it was resident in the US under the DTA.
The Commissioner took a purposive interpretation of the DTA, arguing that even though the LLC was fiscally transparent, it could still be considered tax resident under Article 4.
This was based on the LLC’s perpetual succession under Delaware law, which made it a body corporate.
The High Court Ruling
The Irish High Court, however, overturned the Tax Appeals Commission’s decision. The Court focused on two key issues:
- Tax Residency of the LLC: The High Court examined whether the LLC could be considered US tax resident under Article 4 of the US/Ireland DTA. The Court disagreed with the purposive interpretation taken by the Commissioner, instead applying a literal interpretation of the DTA. The Court found that the LLC was not liable to tax in the US at the entity level, as its income was taxed at the member level. This meant that the LLC was not considered a US resident for treaty purposes.
- Group Relief and Discrimination: The taxpayer also argued that the denial of group relief violated the non-discrimination clause under Article 25 of the US/Ireland DTA. However, the Court rejected this argument, ruling that the discrimination should be assessed based on its direct impact on the taxpayer, not on the ultimate shareholders of the LLC.
Implications of the case
This ruling underscores the importance of understanding the complexities of entity classification in international tax law.
The Court’s decision hinged on the fiscally transparent nature of the Delaware LLC, which ultimately deprived it of treaty benefits and group relief eligibility.
While the LLC was structured under US law as a disregarded entity, this classification proved crucial in the Irish Revenue’s denial of relief.
For businesses with similar structures, this judgment highlights the need to carefully examine ownership arrangements and the potential tax implications.
Companies with complex cross-border structures should ensure that their parent entities meet the residency requirements under relevant tax treaties to benefit from relief provisions like group loss relief.
Group Loss Relief and Delaware LLCs – Conclusion
The Irish High Court’s decision serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by hybrid entities in international tax law.
While the Tax Appeals Commission initially supported the taxpayer’s position, the High Court’s strict interpretation of the US/Ireland DTA ultimately led to the denial of group relief.
Businesses should take note of this ruling and review their structures to ensure compliance with tax residency rules.
Final Thoughts
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