The United Nations Handbook on Selected Issues for Taxation of the Extractive Industries by Developing Countries responds to the frequent call for clearer guidance on the policy and administrative aspects of taxing companies active in the extractive industries. It will not only help those policy makers and administrators dealing with complex issues such as the quantification of the fiscal take, the costs of decommissioning, and loss of revenues due to the indirect transfer of assets, but will also assist both governments, taxpayers and advisers dealing with more day to day issues.

The Handbook covers key issues such as tax treaties (with a general chapter and a special chapter on “permanent establishments”); indirect transfer of assets; transfer pricing; the tax treatment of decommissioning; the government’s fiscal take; tax aspects of negotiation and renegotiation of contracts; and value added tax.

The Handbook is a product of the United Nations Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters, with much of the drafting prepared by a multi-stakeholder subcommittee drawn from government, business , academia and non-governmental organisations.