Updated FAQ published by OECD

OECD has recently updated the FAQ on Global Minimum Tax (GMT) in April 2026. As compared to May 2025 edition, the updated FAQ majorly covers questions on substance in Global Minimum Tax (GMT), Simplified ETR Safe Harbour and Side-by-side (SbS) package.

Key Aspects

• Substance in Global Minimum Tax (GMT): The updated FAQ provides clarifications on how substance-based income exclusions should be applied, including the treatment of payroll and tangible assets for determining eligible substance.
• Simplified ETR Safe Harbour: The FAQ elaborates on the transitional safe harbour rules that allow MNEs to avoid complex GloBE calculations if certain simplified ETR tests are met, based on CbCR data and financial statement information.
• Side-by-side (SbS) Package: The SbS package covers jurisdictional blending rules, allocation of taxes, and mechanics for determining top-up tax amounts, offering guidance on practical implementation challenges.
• Qualified Status and QTI Monitoring: The FAQ discusses the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (QDMTT) status and ongoing OECD monitoring of Qualified Tax Incentives (QTI), including the parameters that will be used to assess whether incentives qualify for safe harbour treatment.

Key Takeaway

The update in FAQ providing clarifications on certain key aspects is a welcome move, which would aid MNE groups in planning their Pillar Two related compliances. However, OECD’s guidance / inputs on certain areas of QTI is awaited, for example parameters used to monitor QTI as it would play an important role in how jurisdictions formulate their tax incentives and whether the jurisdiction would obtain qualified status.

Global Minimum Tax Implementation Toolkit

An OECD guide designed to help tax administrations implement and administer the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) agreed under the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS – ensuring large MNE groups are subject to a minimum effective tax rate of 15% in each jurisdiction where they operate.

Pillar 2 | Implementation Toolkit Alert

INTRODUCTION

Introduction to the Toolkit

Five interlinked modules for consistent, coordinated GMT implementation

The Global Minimum Tax Implementation Toolkit is an OECD guide designed to help tax administrations implement and administer the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) agreed under the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS. The GMT, through the GloBE Rules, ensures that large multinational enterprise (MNE) groups are subject to a minimum effective tax rate of 15% in each jurisdiction where they operate.

The Toolkit is organised into a set of interlinked modules focusing on the practical administrative challenges of implementation — such as identifying in-scope MNEs, designing compliance procedures, building IT systems, and exchanging information — rather than creating new legal standards. Drawing on best practices and early implementation experience, it supports jurisdictions in achieving consistent, efficient, and coordinated application of the GMT while reducing compliance and administrative burdens.

THE FIVE MODULES

1. Assessing In-Scope MNE Groups & Revenue
2. Legal Implementation
3. Organising and Planning for GMT Implementation
4. Framework on Compliance Procedures
5. Exchange of Information

Module 1

Assessing In-Scope MNE Groups and Revenue

PURPOSE

Module 1 explains how jurisdictions can identify multinational enterprise (MNE) groups in scope of the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) and estimate potential top-up tax revenue. The focus is on practical, data-driven methods that support upfront compliance planning, IT readiness, and impact assessment.

1. Identifying In-Scope MNE Groups

Primary objective: Estimate the size and profile of the MNE population subject to the GMT (EUR 750 million revenue threshold).

Key data sources

Country-by-Country (CbC) reports – preferred source for upfront compliance:
Threshold alignment with GMT makes them highly reliable. Widely available through automatic exchange mechanisms.

Commercial datasets (e.g. Obis, Compustat):
Used to validate CbC data or as substitutes where CbC reports are unavailable.

Alternative sources:

Aggregated CbC data published by the OECD, Domestic tax administration records, Consolidated financial statements, Pre-filing registration requirements.

Key limitations to manage

• Exchange-rate differences from non-EUR thresholds
• Excluded entities under GloBE rules
• Treatment of partially owned entities and joint ventures
• Duplicate or incomplete CbC filings (e.g. missing TINs)
• Unequal access to CbC data across jurisdictions

Jurisdictions are advised to balance accuracy and administrative burden, using high-level estimates where precision is not essential.

2. Estimating GMT and QDMTT Revenue

Top-up tax framework

Jurisdictional Effective Tax Rate (ETR) = Covered Taxes ÷ GloBE Income
Top-up tax = (15% – ETR) × Excess Profit

Core components

• GloBE Income: Based on financial accounting net income (FANIL), with adjustments (e.g. add covered taxes, subtract dividends).
• Covered Taxes: Corporate income tax accrued, adjusted for losses, credits, and certain incentives.
• Substance-Based Income Exclusion (SBIE): Excludes a percentage of payroll and tangible assets (10% / 8% in transition period, declining to 5%).

Data scenarios

Best case: financial statements + tax returns + CbC data. Limited data: commercial sources or imputations (used only as a last resort).

Transitional Safe Harbours (2024-2027) may allow simplified or zero top-up tax outcomes.

Jurisdictions are encouraged to apply robustness checks, such as multi-year averages and review of major contributors.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MNE

Tax authorities will cross-check your GIR data against CbCR, financials, and tax filings – Data inconsistencies across years or datasets increase audit risk – Transparent disclosure in financial statements using IFRS (Pillar Two disclosures under IAS 12) is increasingly important – Groups with incentives or low-tax outcomes could expect targeted scrutiny

Module 2

Legal Implementation

PURPOSE

This module explains how jurisdictions implement the GMT into domestic law and why legal design choices are critical for consistent application, effective compliance, and reduced disputes. Consistency with the GloBE Model Rules is essential and is assessed through the Inclusive Framework peer review process.

1. Importance of Consistency

Consistent legal implementation: Improves predictability and tax certainty; Reduces compliance costs, errors, and disputes; Enables efficient cooperation between tax administrations; and Supports the GMT as a global common approach rather than fragmented domestic regimes.

2. Main Legislative Techniques

Jurisdictions use three primary approaches, often in combination:

• a) Incorporation by Cross-Reference: Domestic law refers directly to the GloBE Model Rules, Commentary, and Administrative Guidance. Ambulatory cross-reference automatically incorporates future OECD updates (e.g. New Zealand, Slovenia). Static cross-reference refers to rules at a fixed date; updates require domestic approval (e.g. South Africa). Advantages include simplicity, low legislative burden, and strong international consistency.
• b) Incorporation by Repetition: Jurisdictions copy the Model Rules almost verbatim into domestic law (e.g. Malaysia). Allows adaptation to domestic legal drafting but may increase legislative volume. Often combined with cross-references to Commentary or Guidance. Translation challenges arise in non-English-speaking jurisdictions.
• c) Incorporation by Rewrite: Full or partial rewriting of the rules to fit domestic legal conventions (e.g. France, UK). Often required by constitutional or EU law constraints. More resource-intensive and carries higher risk of divergence from the GloBE Rules, requiring extensive guidance and training.

3. Updating Domestic Law

Because GloBE rules evolve, jurisdictions adopt mechanisms to keep domestic law aligned:

• Secondary legislation for technical details. Primary legislation sets key elements, while detailed rules are handled through secondary legislation (e.g. Brazil).
• Simplified amendment powers delegated to finance or tax authorities (e.g. UK, Australia).
• Interpretive clauses requiring domestic law to be read consistently with GloBE guidance (e.g. Canada, Singapore).

4. Interpretation and Guidance

Tax administrations widely rely on:
Public guidance (manuals, FAQs, general rulings) to support early compliance and transparency. Private guidance (individual rulings, opinions) to increase certainty and reduce disputes in complex cases. These tools are particularly important where rules are rewritten or adapted domestically.

5. Choosing an Approach

Key factors influencing the choice of legal technique include:
Constitutional and legislative constraints; Language and drafting traditions; Administrative capacity and resources; Expected in-scope taxpayer population and revenue; and Ability to update rules efficiently over time.

Module 3

Organising and Planning for GMT Implementation

Provides a roadmap for operational readiness, including governance, staffing, communication, and IT.

1. Phased Implementation

Pre-implementation (planning, estimates)

Implementation (systems, compliance, communication)

Develop a formal, phased implementation plan to operationalize GMT legislation – setting objectives, scope, roles, timelines, resourcing, risks and monitoring – to meet first filing and payment deadlines. Address GMT’s cross-border complexity by aligning with OECD guidance, coordinating QDMTT/IIR/UIPR, handling large volumes of group-level data, and delivering supporting IT and taxpayer guidance under tight timelines. Adapt end-to-end administration (registration, filing, payment, risk, audit, disputes, data management and exchange) for group-wide calculations and financial-accounting based inputs. Choose an organizational model that ensures clear governance, defined responsibilities, central technical expertise, and strong coordination across legal, compliance and IT.

2. Significant Focus On

Staff training (tax + accounting skills)

GMT implementation relies mainly on upskilling existing staff rather than creating new teams. Training is essential in GloBE rules, accounting, data analysis, and risk assessment, with depth tailored to different roles.

External communication

Clear, targeted, and ongoing communication with MNEs, advisors, and software providers is key to improving readiness and reducing compliance risks. Strategies should define audiences, align with international guidance, focus on key milestones, and use multiple channels.

IT Systems and Data Handling (Key Enabler)

IT is central to GMT delivery. Administrations must support:
User portals for registration, filing, and payment; Processing and validation of GIR data (XML-based); Automatic exchange of information using agreed schemas; Collection of top-up tax, often using existing CIT systems.

3. Best Practices

Best practices include unique MNE identifiers, single-entity filing and payment, automation of checks and risk filters, early IT planning, phased delivery, thorough testing, and provision for ongoing maintenance.

Jurisdictions may choose between custom-built systems or commercial off-the-shelf solutions, depending on capacity and scale.

Module 5

Exchange of Information

PURPOSE

Module 5 explains how exchange of information (EOI) under the GMT enables consistent administration, effective risk assessment, and avoidance of double or over-taxation. The focus is on the GloBE Information Return (GIR) and its central filing and automatic exchange.

KEY ELEMENTS

Effective exchange of GloBE information is central to the GMT’s functioning as a global common approach. Standardised formats, central filing, targeted dissemination, and robust legal and IT frameworks together ensure consistent enforcement, reduce compliance burdens, and enhance tax certainty across jurisdictions.

Central Filing of the GIR

The Ultimate Parent Entity (UPE) or a Designated Filing Entity files the GIR in one jurisdiction. Local filing is switched off if an active automatic exchange relationship exists. Central filing reduces duplicative reporting and improves data consistency and confidentiality.

Legal Framework

Exchange is based on the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters and the Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on the Exchange of GloBE Information (GIR MCA). Jurisdictions must implement domestic legal provisions enabling exchange, confidentiality, and data safeguards. Bilateral agreements or EU instruments (e.g. DAC 9) may also support exchange.

Operational Framework

The GIR XML Schema standardizes filing and exchange in machine-readable format. Exchange occurs through secure channels such as the OECD Common Transmission System (CTS). The GIR Status Message XML Schema enables structured error reporting and data validation.

Dissemination Approach

Only relevant portions of the GIR are exchanged: A General Section (group-level information). Jurisdiction-specific Sections for jurisdictions with taxing rights. This targeted approach limits unnecessary data sharing and protects confidentiality.

Timing and Corrections

GIR filed within 15 months after the end of the fiscal year (18 months for transition year). Exchanges generally occur within 3 months after filing. Corrected GIR information should be shared promptly, ideally within 90 days.

Best Practices

Activate exchange relationships well before filing deadlines. Implement all agreed validation rules from year one. Verify dissemination logic before exchange. Maintain strong coordination between legal, IT, and operational teams.

Key Takeaways for MNEs

Pillar Two is a globally standardized, data-intensive compliance regime. The Toolkit confirms that Pillar Two is a globally standardized, data-intensive compliance regime. Success for MNEs depends on the following five drivers.