L’impôt minimum mondial et les zones économiques spéciales

This policy brief examines the impact of the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules and the Global Minimum Tax (GMT) on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in developing countries. It argues that traditional income-based tax incentives used in SEZs are becoming less effective and may lead to revenue loss to other jurisdictions. The document recommends transitioning toward non-fiscal incentives, cost-based incentives, and better coordination between investment and tax authorities to maintain competitiveness while complying with international standards.

• The Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules require multinational enterprises (MNEs) with annual consolidated revenues exceeding 750 million EUR to pay a minimum effective tax rate (ETR) of 15% in each jurisdiction. If the ETR is below 15%, a top-up tax is applied, which can be collected by the low-tax jurisdiction via a Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (QDMTT) or by another jurisdiction through the Income Inclusion Rule (IIR) or the Undertaxed Payments Rule (UTPR).
• Common tax incentives in SEZs, such as 100% corporate income tax exemptions, conditional exemptions based on performance, and reduced fixed tax rates, are at high risk under GloBE rules because they lower the ETR below the 15% threshold, reducing their effectiveness for MNEs.
• Evidence suggests that generous tax incentives in SEZs often fail to create long-term global competitiveness and can lead to a 'race to the bottom.' In Africa, some zones became overly dependent on general tax incentives, which did not necessarily improve performance or export and employment outcomes in the long run.
• Reforming SEZ tax incentives may trigger legal risks under International Investment Agreements (IIAs) and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). Investors may invoke protections such as fair and equitable treatment or indirect expropriation, especially if fiscal stabilization clauses were provided in laws or contracts.
• The document recommends that countries shift from profit-based incentives to cost-based incentives (such as depreciation allowances) and non-fiscal incentives, including improved infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined administrative processes.
• SEZs are identified as potential tools for the energy transition. The document suggests using them as models for sustainable energy investment by providing specific non-fiscal supports like land access and renewable energy infrastructure, as well as tailored fiscal tools like production-based tax credits.

APA

Ndubai-Ngigi, J. W., & Readhead, A. (2024). L’impôt minimum mondial et les zones économiques spéciales. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-09/global-minimum-tax-special-economic-zones-fr.pdf

Chicago

Ndubai-Ngigi, Joy Waruguru, and Alexandra Readhead. L’impôt minimum mondial et les zones économiques spéciales. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-09/global-minimum-tax-special-economic-zones-fr.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ndubai-Ngigi |first1=Joy Waruguru |last2=Readhead |first2=Alexandra |title=L’impôt minimum mondial et les zones économiques spéciales |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=July 2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-09/global-minimum-tax-special-economic-zones-fr.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ndubaingigi2024limpt, author = {Ndubai-Ngigi, Joy Waruguru and Readhead, Alexandra}, title = {{L’impôt minimum mondial et les zones économiques spéciales}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2024-09/global-minimum-tax-special-economic-zones-fr.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }