CBRE is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. We provide our clients with insightful, market-leading advice to maximise the value of the real estate they own or occupy.
We are committed to responsible and sustainable business practices. At CBRE we take the impact we have on our clients, suppliers, employees, communities and stakeholders seriously. It is our goal to be as widely recognised for the way we do business as we are for the quality of the real estate services we provide. This is equally relevant for how we comply with tax laws and undertake tax activities across the business.
CBRE’s approach to business aligns to our Standards of Business Conduct and RISE values that are present in everything we do and drive our success. These are:
Respect
To treat everyone with dignity, value their contributions, and help one another succeed.
Integrity
To uphold the highest standards of truthfulness and reliability in our business practices.
Service
To dedicate ourselves to making a meaningful impact with our clients and in our communities.
Excellence
To aspire to be the best in everything we do and drive for continuous improvement.
Tax compliance and reporting principles
CBRE is committed to ensuring the correct interpretation of all applicable laws, rules and regulations in meeting our tax compliance and reporting responsibilities in all the jurisdictions in which we operate. In realising this commitment, we seek to ensure that the business has effective tax governance and risk management mechanisms to meet our tax compliance and reporting obligations.
In achieving our tax compliance and reporting requirements, CBRE aims to apply diligent professional care and judgement, including ensuring all judgements made as part of our tax compliance and reporting activities are made at an appropriate level and there is sufficient evidence to support all decisions made.
Tax planning
In compliance with our Standards of Business Conduct, we seek to uphold the highest standards of truthfulness and reliability in our business practices, and this aligns to our approach to tax planning
When undertaking any tax planning or making a decision that may have a tax impact, we make sure that this is evaluated within defined risk parameters.
As a business, we seek to create sustainable value for our shareholders. Like any other business expense, we also seek to manage our tax costs. In this regard, we identify and evaluate tax incentives, exemptions, and statutory alternatives that are introduced by governments and fiscal authorities. Where these exist, and it is responsible and appropriate to do so, we may respond to these opportunities and seek external advice to ensure we apply these legitimately and that they align to our business goals.
We seek to conduct cross-border transactions between group companies on an arms-length basis and in accordance with OECD principles.
Governance and tax risk management
The Corporate Governance practices of CBRE are designed to facilitate the Board of Directors' management oversight and to serve the long-term interests of our shareholders, employees and other stakeholders. CBRE’s approach to tax governance aligns with CBRE’s Corporate Governance practices.
In managing tax risk across the business, CBRE aligns with the group’s global internal risk management and internal controls system. Specifically, tax risks are assessed as part of the group’s Corporate Governance practices and are escalated to the Global Chief Tax Officer and Audit and Finance Committee as appropriate.
In determining the level of risk in relation to taxation that the group is prepared to accept, CBRE is resolute in our commitment to the correct interpretation of all applicable tax laws, rules, and regulations.
Relationship with HMRC
We seek to build a sustainable relationship with HMRC. In this way, we are committed to:
- Upholding the highest standards of truthfulness and reliability.
- Working collaboratively with HMRC to achieve early agreement on disputed issues and certainty.
- Engaging with HMRC in an open, timely and constructive way.
- Ensuring we comply with all relevant legal disclosure requirements as required by the Government of the United Kingdom and HMRC.