Tax conventions (or tax treaties) provide a means of settling on a uniform basis the most common problems that arise in the field of international double taxation. Brazil has over two dozen such conventions in force. This number might seem small but the country will inevitably enter into more such treaties given its economic growth, foreign investments and economic globalization in general. Two highly practical aspects form the basis of the book’s analysis: interpretation and qualification under international tax law; and Brazil’s income tax on individuals. The author employs those starting points to tackle such thorny questions as: Is there coherence in the legal regime that is applicable to individuals’ income in double taxation treaties? Is this “system” for individuals consistent? Is it in accordance with Brazilian constitutional principles? Professionals dealing with Brazil’s tax regime will quickly find this work instructive, insightful and thought-provoking.

This study analyses the treatment of income of individuals under Brazilian double taxation conventions. Each article of the Brazilian tax treaties is analysed in order to identify its characteristics, field of application, limits and criteria applied in the identification of taxpayers. The OECD Model Convention is also considered, since it is mirrored in Brazilian conventions. The analysis reveals the unconstitutional nature of Articles 17 and 19 of the Brazilian treaties as they contradict the constitutional principle of isonomy.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the tax treaty policies of ten East European Countries along with the trends over time. It goes into details on the bilateral tax treaty provisions of these countries and in particular the deviations from the OECD Model and offers a perspective on developments that can be expected in the tax treaty area.