Sustainability | GovernanceTDK – Global Tax Policy

TDK – Global Tax Policy

TDK Group herein sets forth the Global Tax Policy in accordance with the TDK Code of Conduct, established to reflect and implement the corporate philosophy and the management policy of TDK Group. The Global Tax Policy is applicable to TDK Group consisting of TDK Corporation (TDK) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively “TDK Group” or “the Group”).

Compliance

  • TDK Group as a good corporate citizen complies fully with all applicable tax laws and regulations established in all countries and regions where it operates in light of the purpose of its legislation. Furthermore, the Group respects and complies with international guidelines, and international efforts represented by BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) Project proposals provided by public interest organizations such as the OECD. The Group believes compliance is always an essential prerequisite for any corporate business activities.
  • The Group strives to fulfill its commitments by establishing strong compliance procedures to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Corporate Activities and Taxes

  • TDK Group, in the conduct of its corporate activities based on the corporate philosophy and the management policies of the Group, is particularly engaged in the following activities with regard to tax practices:
    • - The Group computes taxes, files all necessary tax returns and tax declarations, and makes tax payments in all relevant jurisdictions in a proper and timely manner in accordance with applicable tax laws and regulations.
    • - The Group improves tax efficiency and maximizes corporate value by proactively utilizing tax incentives established by countries and regions to the extent that the incentive utilization follows the legislative intent behind the rules and regulations.
    • - The Group analyses tax events, tax attributes, and tax expense and provides appropriate and concise information to stakeholders, in accordance with applicable tax laws and regulations.

Organization, Roles, and Responsibilities

  • Corporate governance of TDK Group relevant to taxes is embedded within its overall governance system. The system provides a framework for compliance of applicable tax laws and regulations, minimization of tax risks, maximization of corporate value, and growth of the Group.
  • The corporate governance of the Group relevant to taxes is executed under the responsibility of the CFO of the Group who delegates certain portion to subgroup tax departments and persons in charge of taxes at each group entity.

Tax Risk Management

  • The tax function minimizes tax risk by working closely with business and other departments and sharing information of transactions. It strives to prevent unnecessary disputes by building strong technical positions through planning, implementation, and documentation.
  • TDK Group makes all decisions through the analysis of other factors including financial return, financial risk, and potential reputational risk as well as taxes.
  • In cases where the Group identifies tax uncertainties, the cases shall be appropriately reported to the managerial decision-making bodies and the CFO of the Group. Decisions to be taken follow usual Group procedures.
  • In cases of significant transactions where applicable tax laws and regulations could be interpreted in a broad range of meanings or there are no clear regulations, the Group seeks to minimize tax risks through actions such as seeking advice from external advisors, obtaining advance pricing arrangements/agreements or rulings from tax authorities where necessary.
  • The Group regularly monitors compliance in accordance with laws and regulations relevant to tax risk management.

Tax Strategy and Tax Planning

  • As mentioned above, TDK Group seeks to maximize corporate value while maintaining full compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations. The Group continuously monitors the changing tax environment as well as its evolving business models, identifies both tax risks and benefits under the changes of tax environment and business models, and adapts to changes as necessary to achieve its business objectives.
  • With regard to transactions where a significant level of tax impact is expected and/or which show a high degree of tax uncertainty, the Group managerial decision-making bodies and procedures generally seek external tax advice to decide how the Group responds.
  • As a matter of principle, the Group does not intentionally implement artificial tax avoidance structures.
    In addition, the Group will never make tax avoidance by using subsidiaries in which countries or regions are no tax or low tax rates and are secrecy jurisdictions (so-called “tax havens”).

Transfer pricing

  • TDK Group calculates the pricing for the intercompany transaction in accordance with the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines and the laws and regulations of each country or region and also in accordance with the "arm's length principles". In addition, the TDK Group makes the appropriate amount of tax payments in appropriate tax jurisdictions based on the value created through its business activities.

Relationship with Tax Authorities

  • TDK Group seeks to build a good, faithful, and professional relationship with tax authorities of countries and regions.
  • The Group responds to tax audit inquiries and requests from the tax authorities in accordance with applicable tax laws and regulations and in a faithful, courteous, professional, and timely manner.
  • In cases where conflicts with the tax authorities occur, the Group defends its position professionally and in good faith, and seeks to achieve a rational and transparent audit resolution in accordance with applicable tax laws and regulations.