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Prof. dr. mr. D.S. (Daniël) Smit

Faculty of Law
Tax Law
Photographer: Peter Roek

Visiting address
  • Nieuwe Achtergracht 166
Postal address
  • Postbus 15557
    1001 NB Amsterdam
Contact details
  • profile

    About me

     

    As the fifth of seven children in a family from Rotterdam, I started my professional career at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. While still at secondary school (the Erasmiaans Gymnasium), I studied (classical) piano as a main subject with Marcel Baudet and Rian de Waal at the school for young talent from 1992 to 1995. In 1998, I decided to study law at the Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), obtaining degrees in Dutch Law and Tax Law (cum laude) in 2004. My master thesis "Compartmentalization under tax treaties" was awarded the NOB/LOF thesis prize in 2004.

     

    Immediately after my graduation, I started my doctoral research in the field of European tax law as a PhD-candidate for three days a week, first at the EUR and then from 2007 at the Fiscal Institute Tilburg at Tilburg University. In 2011, I defended my PhD thesis entitled "Freedom of investment  between EU and non-EU member states and its impact on corporate income tax systems within the European Union" at the economics faculty of Tilburg University. My thesis was awarded the European Doctoral Tax Thesis Award in 2012. During the same period, in addition to my teaching and management duties, I was responsible for setting up the English-language master's programme International Business Taxation and getting it accredited, as a programme director. This master's programme has been offered at Tilburg University since 2013.

     

    As of April 1, 2016, I was professor of Corporate Taxation and Corporate Finance by special appointment at Tilburg University, for three days a week for a period of five years. From my inaugural address it follows that my research focuses, among other things, on the European approach to tax avoidance by multinational corporations.I argue for a reconsideration of the existing international income allocation rules for the taxation of multinational companies, on the basis of economic reality rather than on the basis of legal form. In doing so, I build on my recommendations made in 2011 as part of my doctoral research. The increasing digitisation of the economy and the growing tension this creates with the existing tax system, has further increased the need for a rethink. Consequently, as part of my special chair in Tilburg, I have been explicitly and increasingly concerned with the taxation of digital enterprises. In this context, I was appointed as a visiting professor at the Université Paris I: Panthéon-Sorbonne in the academic year 2018-2019. In this role, I focused on the impact of the digitising economy on the taxation of internationally operating companies and individuals.

     

    As of September 1, 2021, I have been appointed as a professor by special appointment of Taxation Digital Economy for two days per week at the University of Amsterdam for a period of five years. The special chair was established on behalf of theFoundation for the Promotion of Education and Research at the Faculty of Law and - like my previous special chair in Tilburg - is fully funded by EY. I currently work at the Amsterdam Centre for Tax Law (ACTL) and am also one of the academic leaders of the UvA Research Project - Designing the tax system for a cashless, platform-based and technology -driven society (CPT). In addition to my teaching duties, I conduct interdisciplinary research on the taxation of the digitised economy, and in particular on the tax challenges and opportunities with respect to online platforms. Building on my previous research, I am looking to answer the question of whether, and if so, how the international tax system should be adapted in light of the digitising economy. In doing so, the goal is for taxpayers to pay their fair share in the right place.

     

    I have more than 150 academic and non-academic publications to my name, and regularly speak at (inter)national conferences and seminars, and give (guest) lectures.

     

    In addition to my academic work, I have been employed by the international consulting firm EY since 2002 on a fixed salary (below the so-called Balkenende-norm) and on a full-time basis. Under the agreement which I have with EY, I spend three days a week working for EY in Amsterdam (until September 1, 2021: two days), and have the remaining two days for my academic work. Within EY, I have an independent, non-commercial role in the areas of internal information provision and tax technical support and development since 2002. Since October 1, 2020, I am the head of EY's tax knowledge center. EY has always acknowledged and fully supported my academic ambitions. It goes without saying that EY has no control over my academic research.

     

    On a personal note, I have lived in Amsterdam with my wife and 2 sons since 2014. I enjoy spending my free time with my family. Furthermore, I am an avid marathon runner (for example in 2006 in Rotterdam (3:13) and in 2021 in Amsterdam (3:33)). FFurthermore, I still like to play the piano, partly because I am convinced that music and science can reinforce each other extremely well. 

     

    About my research

     

    My research is normative-legal. I describe certain social problems from the point of view of the prevailing tax law, and then use a transparent normative assessment benchmark to evaluate whether, and if so, to what extent, the prevailing law requires adjustment. To date, the benchmark of the "genuine economic link" in combination with the idea of "source country entitlement" has always been leading in my research. This means that income should be taxed where it is actually generated, and not where it is ultimately received. In this way, taxation should have as little positive or negative impact as possible on the behaviour and choices of economic agents (e.g., companies, employees and self-employed workers) operating internationally. This contributes to fair competition in the market. At the moment, the big challenge in an internationally mobile and digitising economy is how to determine the said "link" with a country. With my research, I want to contribute to an answer to this complex issue, in the coming years. 

     

    At the same time, tax rules should be knowable and predictable. For this reason, I for example take a critical view on the European Commission's approach to tackling international tax avoidance through European competition law. Tackling international tax avoidance is a task for the national or European legislator.

     

    My research so far is not empirical. Questions such as: "Would it be good for the Dutch business climate to abolish the dividend tax?", thus fall outside my research area. Incidentally, based on the benchmark of the "genuine economic link" and "source country entitlement", I have been arguing for years for strengthening the dividend tax in corporate relationships. At the same time, on the basis of the applicable European law (in 2018), I have pointed out the vulnerability of this tax in European law outside of corporate relationships.

     

    About the funding of my chair

     

    My special chair is funded by EY. As noted above, I am seconded by EY to the ACTL for two days a week (EY does not charge the UvA for this). In addition, EY makes an annual sum of 25,000 euros available to the ACTL. It has been agreed that this sum may only be used professionally for the benefit of my research, i.e., not for me personally. The funds can for example be used for the hiring of one or more additional researchers. Under the aforementioned agreement, EY has no say in how these funds are used. With this funding, EY is once again enabling me (and other young researchers) to further develop academically. EY has never influenced what I publish in my academic capacity, either during my appointment as a professor in Tilburg or during my appointment in Amsterdam. Nor have I ever submitted an academic publication to EY for approval. A concrete example of this is my PhD thesis that appeared in 2011, when the public debate on tax avoidance by multinational companies was still in its infancy. In my thesis, I make a concrete proposal for a European directive for, among other things, tackling letterbox companies in international structures in order to counter tax avoidance by multinational companies, by introducing mandatory withholding taxes, such as a dividend tax (from page 828). 

  • Publications

    2023

    • Smit, D. (2023). Flexibility, Mobility and Automation of Labour under Article 7 of the OECD Model? A First Conceptual Exploration. In D. Weber (Ed.), The Implications of Online Platforms and Technology for Taxation (pp. 159-177). (GREIT series). IBFD. https://doi.org/10.59403/3r0nqgv
    • Smit, D. S. (2023). Het nagekomen bestuurdersbate-arrest, NL Fiscaal Wetenschappelijk (NLF-W) 2023/39. Web publication or website

    2022

    • Smit, D. S. (2022). The Netherlands I: X BV, case C-585/22; Impact of Lexel AB on Dutch Interest Limitation Rule. In The Netherlands I: X BV, case C-585/22; Impact of Lexel AB on Dutch Interest Limitation Rule (2024 ed.). Linde Verlag.

    2021

    • Boulogne, F., & Smit, D. (2021). Implementing the Multilateral Instrument in the Netherlands. In G. Kofler, M. Lang, J. Owens, P. Pistone, A. Rust, J. Schuch, K. Spies, & C. Staringer (Eds.), The Implementation and Lasting Effects of the Multilateral Instrument (pp. 651-673). (European and International Tax Law and Policy series; Vol. 21). IBFD. https://doi.org/10.59403/32zk1jp [details]

    2023

    • Smit, D. S. (2023). Cursus belastingrecht, Europees Belastingrecht, onderdeel Pillar 2-richtlijn & staatssteun. In Cursus belastingrecht, Europees Belastingrecht, onderdeel Pillar 2-richtlijn & staatssteun
    • Smit, D. S. (2023). EVA-Hof 1 juni 2022, rolnr. E-3/21, Zaak PRA Group Europe. Combinatie Noorse renteaftrekbeperking en groepsbijdrageregeling in strijd met vrijheid van vestiging, BNB 2023/1. Beslissingen Nederlandse Belastingrechtspraak.
    • Smit, D. S. (2023). HR 15 juli 2022, rolnr. 20/02096, Vennootschapsbelasting. Onzakelijke lening: waardering van vervallen rente bij debiteur. Artikel 10a, lid 3, aanhef en letter a, Wet VPB 1969: omleiden van voor een externe acquisitie aangewende middelen via niet met de belastingplichtige verbonden lichamen, FED 2023/26 6. Fiscaal Tijdschrift FED.
    • Smit, D. S. (2023). HR 15 juli 2022, rolnr. 20/03946, FED 2023/25, Vennootschapsbelasting. Artikel 10a, lid 1, aanhef en letter c, Wet VPB 1969: na externe acquisitie voegen van na verwerving met belastingplichtige verbonden lichaam in fiscale eenheid met hem. Artikel 10a, lid 3, aanhef en letter a, Wet VPB 1969: omleiden van voor een externe acquisitie aangewende middelen via niet met de belastingplichtige verbonden lichamen, FED 2023/25. Fiscaal Tijdschrift FED.
    • Smit, D. S. (2023). HR 2 september 2022, rolnr. 20/03948, Prejudiciële vragen over de betekenis van het arrest Lexel voor de beperking van renteaftrek bij winstdrainage, BNB 2023/2. Beslissingen Nederlandse Belastingrechtspraak.
    • Smit, D. S. (2023). HvJ EU 16 februari 2023, rolnr. C-707/20, Zaak Gallaher. Overdracht activa binnen groep valt niet onder vrijheid van kapitaalverkeer. Verschil in behandeling niet strijdig met het recht op vrije vestiging. Uitstel belastingbetaling niet verplicht als gerealiseerde opbrengst overeenstemt met marktwaarde, BNB 2023/90. Beslissingen Nederlandse Belastingrechtspraak.
    • Smit, D. S. (2023). Naar een minimumbelasting voor grote multinationals D.S. Smit, Naar een minimumbelasting voor grote ondernemingen, Ondernemingsrecht 2023/43. Ondernemingsrecht.

    2022

    • Smit, D. (2022). The Anti Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD). In S. Douma, O. Marres, H. Vermeulen, & D. Weber (Eds.), Terra/Wattel European Tax Law - Volume 1: General Topics and Direct Taxation (8th student ed., pp. 653-706). (Fiscale studieserie; No. 29). Wolters Kluwer.
    • Smit, D. S. (2022). Bijdrage liber amicorum Peter Wattel (Ra Ra Avis), “Tax Avoidance and the Mobility Directive: Bitten by the Cat or by the Dog?”, Wolters Wolters Kluwer, Deventer, 2022. In Bijdrage liber amicorum Peter Wattel (Ra Ra Avis), “Tax Avoidance and the Mobility Directive: Bitten by the Cat or by the Dog?”, Wolters Wolters Kluwer, Deventer, 2022
    • Smit, D. S. (2022). HvJ 24 februari 2022, nr. C-257/20 (Viva Telekom Bulgaria, BNB 2022/59. Beslissingen Nederlandse Belastingrechtspraak.

    2021

    • Smit, D. S. (2021). HR 2 juli 2021 nr. 19/03443, BNB 2021/132. Beslissingen Nederlandse Belastingrechtspraak.

    Others

    • Smit, D. (participant) (5-7-2023). Summer school European Tax Academy 3-7 juli 2023, onderdeel “Corporate Taxation”, 5 juli 2023. Summer school European Tax Academy 3-7 juli 2023, onderdeel “Corporate Taxation”, 5 juli 2023 (co-presentatie met dr. Mart van Hulten), ERA Trier (participating in a conference, workshop, ...).
    • Smit, D. (participant) (12-4-2023). Speech Pillar One: what should be plan B?, Cape Town University 12 april 2023. Speech Pillar One: what should be plan B?, Cape Town University 12 april 2023 (participating in a conference, workshop, ...).
    • Smit, D. (participant) (11-4-2023). Workshop Pillar One – Cape Town University 11 april 2023. Workshop Pillar One – Cape Town University 11 april 2023 (participating in a conference, workshop, ...).
    • Smit, D. (participant) (9-12-2022). An EU Arm's Length Principle? The interplay between transfer pricing and EU law, UvA, Amsterdam, Amsterdam. Sessie chair conference Conference: An EU Arm's Length Principle? The interplay between transfer pricing and EU law 9 december 2022, UvA (participating in a conference, workshop, ...).
    • Smit, D. (participant) (16-11-2022 - 18-11-2022). Recent and Pending Cases at the Court of Justice of the European Union on Direct Taxation. Spreker Recent and Pending Cases at the Court of Justice of the European Union on Direct Taxation, in Vienna 16-18 November 2022, WU Vienna (participating in a conference, workshop, ...).
    • Smit, D. (participant) (4-11-2022). Pressing Issues in EU Tax Law, Amsterdam. Spreker en chairing Conference: Pressing Issues in EU Tax law, 4 november 2022, UvA (participating in a conference, workshop, ...).
    This list of publications is extracted from the UvA-Current Research Information System. Questions? Ask the library or the Pure staff of your faculty / institute. Log in to Pure to edit your publications. Log in to Personal Page Publication Selection tool to manage the visibility of your publications on this list.
  • Ancillary activities
    • EY
      Bureau vaktechniek
    • Wolters Kluwer Nederland BV
      redactielid Vakstudie Nieuws
    • Wolters Kluwer Nederland BV
      redactielid Fiscaal Tijdschrift FED
    • Wolters Kluwer Nederland BV
      redactielid BNB
    • Wolters Kluwer Nederland BV
      redactielid Highlights & Insights on European Taxation
    • Wolters Kluwer Nederland BV
      Redacteur en auteur Cursus Belastingrecht, onderdeel Europees Belastingrecht
    • Wolters Kluwer Nederland BV
      Redacteur Ondernemingsrecht
    • Nederlandse Orde van Belastingadviseurs
      Secretaris van de sectie Europees Fiscaal Recht van de Nederlandse Orde van Bela
    • Stichting Opleidingen Belastingadviseurs
      Bestuurslid