题目内容
Section B – TWO questions ONLY to be attempted
Stillwater Services (SS) is a listed water utility company providing water and sewage services to the public and businesses of a region of Teeland. The company was formed when the government-owned Public Water Company of Teeland was broken up into regional utility companies (one of which was SS) and sold into private ownership over four years ago.
As a vital utility for the economy of Teeland, water services are a government-regulated industry. The regulator is principally concerned that SS does not abuse its monopoly position in the regional market to unjustifiably increase prices. The majority of services (80%) are controlled by the regulator who sets an acceptable return on capital employed (ROCE) level and ensures that the pricing of SS within these areas does not breach this level. The remaining services, such as a bottled water operation and a contract repairs service, are unregulated and SS can charge a market rate for these. The regulator calculates its ROCE figure based on its own valuation of the capital assets being used in regulated services and the operating profit from those regulated services.
The target pre-tax ROCE set by the regulator is 6%. If SS were to breach this figure, then the regulator could fine the company. In the past, other such companies have seen fines amounting to millions of dollars.
The board of SS are trying to drive the performance for the benefit of the shareholders. This is a new experience for many at SS, having been in the public sector until four years ago. In order to try to better communicate the objective of maximising shareholder wealth, the board have decided to introduce economic value added (EVA？) as the key performance indicator.
The finance director has asked you to calculate EVA？ for the company, based on the following financial information for the year ending 30 September 2012:
Stillwater Services
2. Economic depreciation is assessed to be $83m in 2012.
Economic depreciation includes any appropriate amortisation adjustments.
In previous years, it can be assumed that economic and accounting depreciation were the same.
3. Tax is the cash paid in the current year ($9m) and an adjustment of $0·5m for deferred tax provisions. There was no deferred tax balance prior to 2012.
4. The provision for doubtful debts was $4·5m on the 2012 statement of financial position.
5. Research and development is not capitalised in the accounts.
It relates to a new project that will be developed over five years and is expected to be of long-term benefit to the company. 2012 is the first year of this project.
Required:
(a) Evaluate the performance of SS using EVA？. (13 marks)
(b) Assess whether SS meets its regulatory ROCE target and comment on the impact of such a constraint on performance management at SS. (7 marks)
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SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONS
1. You should assume that the tax rates and allowances shown below will continue to apply for the foreseeable future.
2. Calculations and workings should be rounded down to the nearest HK$.
3. Apportionments need only be made to the nearest month, unless the law and prevailing practice require otherwise.
4. All workings should be shown.
TAX RATES AND ALLOWANCES
The following 2011/12 tax rates and allowances are to be used in answering the questions.
Section A – BOTH questions are compulsory and MUST be attempted
1.
Organic World Inc (the Parent), a company incorporated in the US, has since September 2006 wholly-owned a subsidiary in Hong Kong, Green HK Ltd (Green-HK). Green-HK operates a retail store in Hong Kong and imports organic goods from the Parent and sells the goods in the store. It closes its accounts on 31 December.
Starting from January 2010, the Parent also has another wholly-owned subsidiary in China, Green China Ltd (Green-China), which operates a similar retail store in Mainland China but not in Hong Kong. Green-China has been performing very well in these two years, showing continuous increases in profitability, but Green-HK’s business has been declining significantly.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Green-HK called a meeting at which the following was discussed:
(1) The following extract of management accounts as at 30 November 2011 was presented:
(2) The Parent decided to cease the business in Hong Kong with effect from 1 January 2012. Before the store is closed on 31 December 2011, all the assets and liabilities of Green-HK would need to be cleared according to the following proposal:
(i) The land and store building would be sold to a potential purchaser, and the offer is still under negotiation. The tentative sale consideration is $12,000,000 comprising $11,000,000 for the land and $1,000,000 for the store building. The purchaser has counter-offered that if Green-HK were to demolish the building and sell the land site only, a higher offer might be considered. Based on Green-HK’s tax records, the land and building were acquired in July 2006 directly from the property developer at $10,000,000, 50% of which was attributed to the building. The CEO is wondering how the different modes of sale would impact the tax position of Green-HK. Moreover, the CEO is interested to know how much annual depreciation allowance the purchaser, who makes up his accounts to 31 March, might be entitled to claim if he continued to use the store as it is.
(ii) All the store equipment would be donated to a charitable organisation in Hong Kong. Any remaining minor furniture and fixtures not accepted by the charity would be scrapped. The CEO is wondering if the net book value of the equipment would be eligible for a tax deduction as a charitable donation, and whether it would be better if the equipment was sold first and then the sale money was donated to the charity.
(iii) To clear the trading stock on hand, Green-HK would sell it to Green-China at a price to be mutually agreed. Discussions with Green-China so far indicate that the deal would not be made unless the price was fixed at 30% below the usual market price. Although this is not desirable to Green-HK, it was expected that the Parent would consent to this deal. The CEO is concerned about the impact of the deal on Green-HK, especially in the light of the recent development of the transfer pricing principle in Hong Kong.
(iv) The amount due to the Parent of $15,000,000 would be waived by the Parent since Green-HK would not be likely to have the ability to pay. Green-HK’s records indicated that most of the amount represents the purchase cost of goods imported from the Parent for sale in the store in previous years but which remained unsettled.
(3) All staff members would be made redundant. On top of the statutory amount of redundancy payment, Green-HK was considering paying an additional gratuity representing two months’ salary. Before making the decision, the CEO wants to assess whether these payments would be tax deductible to Green-HK.
(4) Based on the tax records, Green-HK has brought forward tax losses of around $2,000,000 from 2010/11. The tax written down values for the plant and machinery pools are insignificant.
Required:
As the tax advisor to Green HK Ltd (Green-HK), prepare a report for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) addressing the tax issues raised in the meeting as follows, providing supporting calculations where appropriate.
(a) Sale of land and store building (per item (2)
(i) of the meeting notes): (i) The tax implication to Green-HK arising from the sale of the land and store building, including a computation of the applicable depreciation allowance for each year of ownership and in the year of disposal; (4 marks)
(ii) The impact of the potential purchaser’s counter-offer on the tax position of Green-HK; (4 marks)
(iii) The annual depreciation allowance that might be available to the purchaser upon his acquisition of the land and store building, assuming that the store continued to be used as it was. (3 marks)
(b) Donation of equipment (per item (2)
(ii) of the meeting notes): (i) Whether, and if so how, the donation would qualify as a tax deduction for Green-HK; (4 marks)
(ii) Whether, and if so how, the alternative suggested by the CEO would help Green-HK get the tax deduction. (3 marks)
(c) Sale of trading stock (per item (2)(iii) of the meeting notes):
(i) The tax implication to Green-HK arising from the sale of trading stock to Green China Ltd (Green-China) at the price suggested by Green-China;
Note: You are not required to discuss the transfer pricing implications in this part. (4 marks)
(ii) The impact of the current development of transfer pricing principles in Hong Kong on the suggested sale transaction. (5 marks)
(d) Waiver of inter-company balance by Organic Worldwide Inc (the Parent) (per item (2)(iv) of the meeting notes):
Whether, and if so to what extent, the waiver would be tax effective for Green-HK. If you consider it not tax effective, give suggestions. (4 marks)
(e) Redundancy payment and additional gratuity (per item (3) of the meeting notes):
Whether, and if so how, the redundancy payment and additional gratuity would be tax deductible to Green-HK. If applicable, give an alternative suggestion. (4 marks)
Professional marks will be awarded in question 1 for the appropriateness of the format and presentation of the report and the effectiveness with which its advice is communicated. (4 marks)
2.
Antony and Rebecca are a married couple who are seeking professional tax advice on their tax positions. The following information relates to their affairs for the year ended 31 March 2012:
(1) Antony was previously employed by Mix and Match Ltd, a Hong Kong-listed company. On 1 March 2011, he was offered a lump sum payment of $300,000 to join Modern Home Ltd (MHL), an interior decoration firm resident in Hong Kong, as head designer. On 1 April 2011 he accepted the offer, received the payment and started working for MHL.
(2) His salary with MHL is $100,000 per month. Antony contributed 5% of his total salary to MHL’s Mandatory Provident Fund Scheme; MHL contributed 10% to the Scheme.
(3) Antony received a ‘housing allowance’ of $30,000 per month. However, he only spent $25,000 per month on rent, government rates and management fees associated with his rented flat. His employment contract states that his rental allowance is designed to enable him to afford accommodation in Hong Kong, and that it may be applied by him towards rent or a home purchase. MHL requires Antony to provide a copy of his lease and monthly rental receipts, but has never queried the fact that he does not spend the whole of his housing allowance on accommodation.
(4) MHL provided Antony with a new car (cost $500,000) which he could, and did, use for private (50%) as well as business (50%) purposes. MHL also provided him with a petrol station card taken out in the name of MHL. Antony charged all his expenditure on petrol, totalling $48,000, to this card.
(5) MHL paid a club membership for Antony at the Hong Kong Designers Club. The annual membership fee was $32,000 and the membership was in Antony’s name. Antony regularly used the club for entertaining MHL’s clients. His total entertainment expenditure at the club was $38,000, of which MHL reimbursed him $28,000 upon production of vouchers showing client entertainment and promotion.
(6) Antony received a share option in the year of assessment 2009/10 while he was working for Mix and Match Ltd. Under the terms of his share option, Mix and Match Ltd would either pay him the cash value of his option or provide him with shares. Antony could not insist on receiving shares. The option became exercisable in the year of assessment 2011/12. When Antony exercised his option, Mix and Match Ltd exercised its right to pay cash instead of providing shares; and Antony received $100,000.
(7) After work hours, Antony devoted his time to writing numerous articles on interior design for magazines and newspapers. From this activity, he earned $90,000 in the year 2011/12.
(8) Antony earned $15,000 in royalties in 2011/12 from a book on interior design that he had written the previous year. The publisher who paid him the royalties is based in Singapore, and the book was published and sold only in Singapore.
(9) Rebecca is a housewife. In her spare time, she sells home products to friends on behalf of a Taiwan company. For this purpose, the company sends her a stock of products each month, and Rebecca arranges home parties to which she invites friends and demonstrates the products. She earns a commission of 20% of the gross sales proceeds of the goods she sells on behalf of the company. In the year of assessment 2011/12, Rebecca earned commissions totalling $80,000.
Required:
(a) Advise Antony and Rebecca of their respective tax positions for the year of assessment 2011/12. Support your advice with a computation of Antony’s salaries tax liability. (25 marks)
(b) Advise Rebecca of the compliance obligations, if any, imposed on her under the Inland Revenue Ordinance in respect of her sale of home products on behalf of the Taiwan company. (4 marks)
Section B – TWO questions ONLY to be attempted
3.
(a) Below is the group structure of P Ltd and its subsidiaries:
Under the current structure, P Ltd owns all the shares in A Ltd and B Ltd. A Ltd, in turn, owns all the shares in C Ltd. P Ltd is incorporated in Bermuda. A Ltd, B Ltd and C Ltd are all incorporated in Hong Kong. C Ltd owns a commercial property in Hong Kong, which is mortgaged in favour of the Citibank for an amount of $70 million.
It is proposed to restructure the group in January 2013 as follows:
Step 1: A Ltd will transfer 100% of the shares in C Ltd to B Ltd. The consideration will be $30 million payable to A Ltd, plus another $70 million payable direct to the Citibank on behalf of C Ltd.
Step 2: B Ltd will issue shares equivalent to 10% of its total new shareholdings to an unrelated third party for $4 million. The amount so raised will not be used in Step 1.
Step 3: A Ltd will then be liquidated.
Required:
Explain the stamp duty implications arising from the transfer of the shares in C Ltd (Step 1). Clearly identify any available exemptions and analyse the extent to which these exemptions may be affected by Steps 2 and 3 in the restructuring proposal. (11 marks)
(b) After the restructuring, C Ltd will lease the commercial property to B Ltd for four years. Under the lease agreement, B Ltd will pay C Ltd $50,000 per month plus 3% of B Ltd’s gross turnover each month from the business conducted in the property. The market rental of the property is $80,000 per month.
Required:
Explain the stamp duty implications of this leasing arrangement. (5 marks)
4.
Home Design Inc (HDI) is a US corporation which is engaged in the business of purchasing furniture from factories in Mainland China and reselling them to customers around Asia, including Hong Kong.
HDI has engaged the services of an unrelated buying agent in Hong Kong, Buyer Ltd, to deal with suppliers on its behalf. Buyer Ltd is responsible for negotiating terms (as dictated by HDI) and placing purchase orders with suppliers’ representatives in Hong Kong, performing quality control services, and arranging shipment of the furniture either to HDI in the USA or directly to customers outside the USA according to the directions given by HDI.
In addition, Buyer Ltd maintains a showroom in Hong Kong, which potential customers visit from time to time to view samples. If buyers wish to place orders during such visits, they complete a purchase order form. which Buyer Ltd faxes to HDI’s office in the USA. HDI then follows up with customers out of its office in the USA. Buyer Ltd does not negotiate the terms of such sales. About 20% of all sales are made to customers in Hong Kong.
Required:
(a) Based on the Departmental Interpretation and Practice Note No. 21 entitled ‘Locality of Profits’, explain the practice adopted by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue for determining the source of trading profits. (4 marks)
(b) Discuss whether Home Design Inc’s profits from the trading transactions should be subject to, or exempt from, profits tax. If you consider that the profits are subject to profits tax, advise how Home Design Inc could restructure its activities to ensure that the profits would be exempt from tax. (12 marks)
5.
Auto Ltd is a company incorporated and carrying on business in Hong Kong. Despite continuous profitability since the commencement of its business, in the last year Auto Ltd has experienced a tremendous market downturn and incurred significant accounting losses. The sole shareholder of Auto Ltd, Mr Tan, is a non-Hong Kong resident. He understands that under his tax jurisdiction, tax losses incurred by a corporation can be carried back and applied to offset a corporation’s profits in the preceding year. Moreover, tax losses of a corporation resident in his tax jurisdiction can be transferred to another profitable corporation within the same group.
Required:
(a) Based on the Inland Revenue Ordinance, state the general rules governing the treatment of tax losses for corporations carrying on businesses in Hong Kong, assuming the corporations are not involved in any partnership. (4 marks)
(b) Mr Tan is considering disposing of the shares in Auto Ltd in order to capitalise the tax benefit arising from the tax losses carried forward by Auto Ltd.
Required:
Advise Mr Tan on the Hong Kong tax implications arising from the share disposal for the ability of Auto Ltd to carry forward its tax losses. (6 marks)
(c) If he does not sell the shares in Auto Ltd, Mr Tan intends to make a loan to Auto Ltd with interest in order to finance the company’s future operations.
Required:
Advise Mr Tan on the Hong Kong tax implications to Auto Ltd in respect of the interest incurred on this loan as currently proposed and, if appropriate, suggest a structure which will ensure that the loan interest will be deductible.
Note: You may assume that Mr Tan is not carrying on a money lending business when and by virtue of making the loan. (6 marks)
请帮忙给出每个问题的正确答案和分析，谢谢！
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