Tax Planning
Global Tax Planning in the Wake of OECD’s 2026 Reforms
With many countries introducing base-broadening, capital income changes, and targeted tax incentives in 2025, global taxpayers need to adapt planning strategies from retirement income to investments accordingly.
By NomadicTax Research Team • 5-8 min read • September 14, 2026
## Key Reform Trends from OECD’s Report
- **Capital Income Taxation Tightens**: Belgium introduced a new flat capital gains tax with an exemption tier; Japan cut deductions for extremely high incomes and raised minimum effective rates for capital income ([oecd.org](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/tax-policy-reforms-2026_43d18a55-en/full-report/tax-policy-reforms_82075677.html?utm_source=openai)).
- **Exemptions and Incentives Tailored**: Many countries widened credits for R&D, start-ups, or specific sectors; Belgium, Finland, and others expanded non-resident / expat regimes to attract talent ([oecd.org](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/tax-policy-reforms-2026_43d18a55-en/full-report/tax-policy-reforms_82075677.html?utm_source=openai)).
- **Base Broadening over Rate Cuts**: Most jurisdictions focused on reducing deductions/exemptions rather than lowering rates. Tax thresholds were not adjusted to inflation in some places, creating fiscal drag and incremental tax burden. ([oecd.org](https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/tax-policy-reforms-2026_43d18a55-en/full-report/tax-policy-reforms_82075677.html?utm_source=openai))
## Planning Takeaways for Global Investors & High-Net-Worth Individuals
1. **Reassess your investment domicile**: Capital gains, dividends, carried interest rules vary: Belgium’s capital gains tax, Japan’s minima, and deferments or exemptions for certain sectors. If you’re holding financial assets abroad, the withholding and effective rates may rise.
2. **Use treaty and regime benefits wisely**: If eligible for expat or key employee regimes (e.g. Belgium, Finland), evaluate whether residence or non-residence status offers advantages—especially with higher rates on non-qualified incomes.
3. **Align timing of income realisation**: Where possible, structure realised gains or distributions in a year when favorable deductions or credit carryovers exist beneath newly tightened capital income rules.
4. **Plan for inflation drift**: In countries freezing PIT thresholds (e.g. UK through to 2031), ordinary inflation will increase your PIT burden. Proactive planning (e.g. timing expenses or deferring income when possible) can help.
## Practical Example
Say you’re a global tech entrepreneur earning **dividends** and **capital gains**. Under reforms:
- If Belgium: dividends get flat tax, capital gains taxed unless under EUR 10,000 or depending on shareholding size.
- If Japan: your deductions shrink, effective minimum tax jumps to 30%.
- If UK: dividend/savings tax rates hike by ~2 pp from April 2027. So, delay or accelerate certain sales/distributions depending on where you expect to be resident or where your entity is tax resident.
**Action steps**:
- Map your incomes by type and jurisdiction.
- Use entities or trusts in places with favorable withholding rates or treaty access.
- Revisit tax-loss carryforwards or deferred gains now before regimes tighten.
Global tax planning in 2026 must balance rising revenue needs with emerging incentive regimes. Adaptation—not avoidance—is the name of the game.