Our discussion will take a practical look at the realities of the European Commission’s recent investigations into transfer pricing practices, and will cover:

• The new Commission and its priorities in the fight against tax evasion

• The concept of state aid as background to the EU investigations

• Some key features of the investigations against Apple, Fiat, Starbucks and Amazon

• Concrete impact on ― and risks for ― targeted companies

• Potential available defenses

• The prospects for a more restrictive regime in 2015 and beyond

Presenters:

• Johan Ysewyn, Brussels, Partner and head of Covington’s EU Competition and State aid practices.

• Sophia Dipla, Brussels, focuses on EU State aid and previously worked at the European Commission in the unit dealing with State aid in the financial services sector.

• Paul Adamson, Brussels, Senior European Policy Advisor and a pioneer in European public affairs, with a career spanning more than 30 years.

• Sam Maruca, Washington, Partner and until recently Director of Transfer Pricing Operations at the IRS, responsible for both domestic and global transfer pricing strategy of the U.S. government, and represented the IRS in OECD matters.

• Lee Kelley, Washington, Partner and a former IRS and Treasury executive with extensive experience in the taxation of U.S. multinationals, including the complex interplay between U.S. tax rules and the tax regimes of the EU.

• Reeves Westbrook, Washington, Partner and co-chair of the tax section of the International Bar Association.