Article 10 of the OECD Model Rules defines an entity as either:
– a legal person (except an individual); or
– any arrangement that prepares separate financial accounts.
Note that the First Set of OECD Administrative Guidance also excludes government agencies (both central and local government) that carry out government functions.
The first limb above would generally catch foundations, whilst the second would catch trusts.
This means that trusts and foundations are squarely within the Pillar Two rules and could be a low-taxed entity, an intermediate entity/partially owned parent entity or even an ultimate parent entity (UPE).
Under Article 1.4.1 of the OECD Model Rules, a UPE for the Pillar Two rules is:
Whether a trust is a UPE is an important consideration as (1) in many cases the UPE is required to apply the income inclusion rule to account for top-up tax and (2) the definition of an MNE group hinges on the relationship between the group companies and the UPE.
For instance, take this scenario:
Determining if the trust was the UPE could result in all companies then potentially being within the scope of the Pillar Two rules (subject to any specific exclusions etc). Aside from the application of Pillar Two to the group, the trust could then be liable to account for top-up tax.
This in itself could create issues.
The definition of a group in the Pillar Two rules relies on accounting principles so that there is a group if there is a requirement to prepare consolidated financial statements.
Whilst a trust or foundation may not usually have to prepare consolidated financial statements under an accounting standard, the Pillar Two rules go further.
Article 10 of the OECD Model Rules states that if no consolidated financial statements are prepared a deeming provision applies so that the entity must prepare hypothetical consolidated financial statements as if it was required to prepare them in accordance with an Authorised Financial Accounting Standard that is either an Acceptable Financial Accounting Standard or another financial accounting standard.
As such, a trust or foundation would need to determine if it would be required to prepare accounting standards under an accounting standard.
This would again depend on accounting principles.
Under IFRS for instance, there is a requirement to consolidate if the trust or foundation possesses power over the parent entities, has exposure to variable returns from its involvement with them and has the ability to use its power over them to affect its returns.
Bermuda’s Tax Credits (Administrative) Regulations 2026, operative from 9 October, prescribe registration, group filing and a ten-month claim deadline under the existing Tax Credits Act. The rules distinguish claims by corporate-tax constituent entities from cash payments for other qualifying entities.
IRAS guidance updated on 13 October 2026 identifies Singapore tax incentives and qualifying components for the Substance-based Tax Incentive Safe Harbour, including specified base and enhanced deductions. Relief remains elective and subject to the substance cap.
Kenya published final minimum top-up tax regulations on 18 September 2026. Legal Notice 189 sets notification and filing requirements, including distinct local-return and GIR deadlines. This analysis compares the final rules with the 2025 consultation draft and distinguishes those filing obligations from the existing statutory payment timetable.
France’s government tabled amendment I-3734 to the 2027 Finance Bill on 10 October 2026. It proposes Side-by-Side and UPE safe harbours, a one-year Transitional CbCR Safe Harbour extension and related payment and implementation changes. The proposal remains subject to parliamentary processing and enactment.
Montenegro’s Rulebook in Official Gazette 143/2026 entered into force on 9 October 2026. It prescribes Form PIDP, XML filing, a pre-deadline filer notice, central-filing relief and local fallback/exchange procedures.
Singapore’s Parliament passed Bill 22/2026 on 6 October 2026. The Bill advances Side-by-Side safe-harbour powers, GIR exchange and local fallback filing, return-exemption powers, and DTT accounting rules, but still awaits assent and publication.
Thailand is consulting until 5 November 2026 on legislative principles for a Revenue Department QRTC framework, including electronic certificates, tax settlement, refunds and transfers. The proposal leaves eligibility, rates and commencement to further legislation and rules.
A Belgian Chamber committee has unanimously approved a bill implementing DAC9, establishing the domestic framework for centralised GIR exchange and extending the statutory QDMTT return deadline from 11 to 15 months, with an 18-month transitional rule.
Norway’s 2027 budget proposition proposes separate statutory powers for the Pillar Two safe harbours, together with commencement provisions and technical corrections. Most Top-up Tax Act amendments would apply to financial years beginning after 31 December 2025.
This website is not affiliated with or related to the OECD. We provide independent insights and analysis on the OECD Two-Pillar Solution
© 2026 OECDPillars.com
All Rights Reserved