Application of the look-through approach concept in Poland.
Publication date: January 14, 2025
Practical comments on beneficial owner, treaty shopping, beneficial owner clauses for dividends, beneficial owner clauses for interest, substitute companies and abusive clauses, the status of a beneficial owner in various types of intermediary centres between service orderers and service providers, withholding tax on interest paid within the cash pooling structure.
Basic definitions
The look-through approach (also known as LTA) is an issue in international tax law concerning the problem of double taxation, also related to the issue of the so-called withholding tax. It allows for the application of preferential double taxation rates based on a double taxation treaty concluded between Poland and the country of the beneficial owner’s seat, in the scope most often concerning dividends, interest and royalties. However, only an entity with the status of a beneficial owner, is entitled to such privileges.
