barclay bank plc franchise tax argued march decided june page together franchise tax board california also certiorari years issue consolidated cases california used worldwide combined reporting method determine corporate franchise tax owed members unitary multinational corporate groups business california california method first looked worldwide income unitary business taxed percentage income equal average proportions worldwide payroll property sales located within california contrast federal government employs separate accounting method treats corporate entity discretely purpose determining income tax liability container america franchise tax upheld california scheme applied multinationals address constitutionality scheme applied domestic corporations foreign parents foreign corporations foreign parents foreign subsidiaries petitioner barclays bank plc barclays foreign multinational petitioner colgate domestic multinational operations california separate cases two members barclays group colgate denied refunds california authorities held constitution impede application california tax barclays colgate pp page ii absent congressional approval state tax interstate foreign commerce survive commerce clause scrutiny taxpayer demonstrates tax applies activity lacking substantial nexus taxing state fairly apportioned discriminates interstate commerce fairly related services state provides complete auto transit brady tax affecting foreign commerce raises two additional concerns one prompted enhanced risk multiple taxation container supra related federal government capacity speak one voice regulating commercial relations foreign governments japan line county los angeles california tax easily meets third complete auto criteria third barclays shown system fact operates impose inordinate compliance burdens foreign enterprises claim unconstitutional discrimination foreign commerce thus fails pp barclays shown california reasonable approximations method reducing compliance burden incompatible due process barclays argues california employs standard determine approximations accepted barclays presented example approximation california rejected unreasonable furthermore state judiciary construed california law curtail discretion state tax officials state afforded barclays opportunity seek clarification meaning relevant regulations rules governing international multijurisdictional income allocation inescapable imprecision given subject matter complexity rules vagueness mechanically applied rather application tied nature enactment pp california system expose foreign multinationals barclays constitutionally intolerable multiple taxation face similar challenge container approved tax applied multinational considerations informed container decision dispositively diminished tax applied enterprise multiple taxation inevitable result california tax alternative reasonably available state separate accounting eliminate cases may even enhance risk double taxation pp california scheme also prevent federal government speaking one voice international trade page iii congress holds control rein area years since container congress barred using worldwide combined reporting method past three decades aware foreign governments deplored use method congress nevertheless failed enact numerous bills ratify treaty provision prohibited practice executive branch actions statements amicus filings supply requisite federal directive proscribing use worldwide combined reporting regulatory authority congress wield executive branch communications express federal policy lack force law render unconstitutional california otherwise valid congressionally condoned scheme pp ginsburg delivered opinion rehnquist blackmun stevens kennedy souter joined part scalia joined blackmun filed concurring opinion scalia filed opinion concurring part concurring judgment filed opinion concurring judgment part dissenting part thomas joined barclay bank plc franchise tax justice ginsburg delivered opinion eleven years ago container america franchise tax upheld california corporate franchise tax applied multinational enterprise comprehensive challenge made due process commerce clauses federal constitution container involved corporate taxpayer domiciled headquartered addition stateside components taxpayer number overseas subsidiaries incorporated countries operated decision container address constitutionality california taxing scheme applied domestic corporations foreign parents foreign corporations either foreign parents foreign subsidiaries consolidated cases us return taxing scheme earlier considered container resolve matters left open case barclay bank plc franchise tax petitioner barclays bank plc barclays kingdom corporation barclays group multinational banking enterprise petitioner colgate parent multinational manufacturing sales enterprise enterprise operations california years issue california determined state corporate franchise tax due operations method known worldwide combined reporting california scheme first looked worldwide income multinational enterprise attributed portion income equal average proportions worldwide payroll property sales located california california operations state imposed tax income thus attributed barclays colgate california business barclays urges california tax system distinctively burdens multinationals results double international taxation violation commerce due process clauses barclays colgate contend scheme offends commerce clause frustrating federal government ability speak one voice regulating commercial relations foreign governments japan line county los angeles internal quotation marks omitted reject arguments hold constitution impede application california corporate franchise tax barclays colgate accordingly affirm judgments california appeal due process commerce clauses constitution held prevent impose tax nonresidents barclay bank plc franchise tax tax ing value earned outside taxing state borders asarco idaho state tax business enterprise operates one taxing jurisdiction arriving precise territorial allocations value often elusive goal theory practice container every method allocation devised involves degree arbitrariness see one means deriving locally taxable income generally used collect corporate taxes unitary business method explained container unitary taxation rejects geographical transactional accounting subject manipulation fully capture many subtle largely unquantifiable transfers value take place among components single enterprise unitary apportionment method calculates local tax base first defining scope unitary business taxed enterprise activities taxing jurisdiction form one part apportioning total income unitary business taxing jurisdiction rest world basis formula taking account objective measures corporation activities within without jurisdiction barclay bank plc franchise tax barclay bank plc franchise tax corporate income tax imposed employs separate accounting method means apportioning income among taxing sovereigns used major developed nations contrast combined reporting separate accounting treats corporate entity discretely purpose determining income tax liability separate accounting poses risk conglomerate manipulate transfers value among components minimize total tax liability guard manipulation transactions affiliated corporations must scrutinized ensure reported arm length basis price reflecting true market value see cfr assuming transactions assigned arm length values corporate accounts jurisdiction using separate accounting taxes corporations operate within borders income corporations recognize books see container supra barclay bank plc franchise tax one time number used worldwide combined reporting california years issue recent years including california modified systems least allow corporate election variant approach confines combined reporting water edge see hellerstein hellerstein supra pp california modification corporate franchise tax effective cal ch made nearly last state give way hellerstein hellerstein supra california corporate taxpayers state water edge alternative may elect limit combined reporting group corporations unitary business whose individual presence surpasses certain threshold ann west see leegstra eager stolte california election explaining operation california water edge system amendment conditioned corporate group water edge election payment substantial fee allowed california franchise tax board tax board disregard water edge election certain circumstances california modified corporate franchise tax statute time allow domestic foreign enterprises elect water edge treatment without payment fee without threat disregard cal ch cal ch see ann west supp new amendments became effective january barclay bank plc franchise tax first consolidated cases tax refund suit brought two members barclays group multinational banking enterprise based kingdom barclays group includes corporations business nations two members barclays corporate family business california therefore subject california franchise tax barclays bank california barcal one two taxpayers california banking corporation wholly owned barclays bank international limited bbi second taxpayer bbi kingdom corporation business kingdom nations territories computing california franchise tax based income barcal reported income operations bbi reported income assumption participated unitary business composed subsidiaries parent corporation parent subsidiaries auditing bbi barcal income year franchise tax returns tax board respondent determined part worldwide unitary business barclays group ultimately board assessed additional tax liability bbi barcal barcal bbi paid assessments sued refunds prevailed california lower courts unsuccessful california barclay bank plc franchise tax california held tax impair federal government ability speak one voice regulating foreign commerce see japan line county los angeles therefore violate commerce clause concluded california remanded case appeal development barclays claim compliance burden multinationals imposed california tax violated due process clause nondiscrimination requirement commerce clause barclay bank franchise tax cert denied remand appeal decided compliance burden issues barclays dist california denied review case therefore us writ certiorari california appeal barclays conceded purposes litigation entire barclays group formed worldwide unitary business petitioner delaware corporation headquartered new york colgate subsidiaries business engaged principally manufacture distribution household personal hygiene products addition colgate owned corporations operated entirely outside foreign subsidiaries also engaged primarily manufacture distribution household personal hygiene products colgate filed california franchise barclay bank plc franchise tax tax returns based income reported income earned foreign operations separate accounting basis essentially colgate maintained constitution compelled california limit reach unitary principle water edge see supra tax board determined colgate taxes computed basis worldwide combined reporting assessed deficiency colgate paid tax sued refund colgate prevailed california superior found federal government condemned worldwide combined reporting impermissibly intrusive upon nation ability uniformly regulate foreign commercial relations sacramento county apr reprinted app pet cert pp barclay bank plc franchise tax appeal reversed concluding evidence federal executive opposition tax insufficient dist california returned case appeal instructions vacate decision refile opinion modification light decision barclays second decision appeal ruled colgate dist california denied review case us writ certiorari appeal like barclays colgate concedes purposes litigation years question business worldwide unitary ii commerce clause expressly gives congress power regulate commerce foreign nations among several art cl long understood well provide protection state legislation inimical national commerce even congress acted southern pacific arizona ex rel sullivan see also south carolina state highway dept barnwell brothers commerce clause force prohibits discrimination interstate commerce clause shield interstate foreign commerce fair share state tax burden department revenue washington association washington stevedoring absent congressional approval however state tax commerce survive commerce clause barclay bank plc franchise tax scrutiny taxpayer demonstrates tax either applies activity lacking substantial nexus taxing state fairly apportioned discriminates interstate commerce fairly related services provided state complete auto transit brady unique context foreign commerce state power constrained special need federal uniformity wardair canada florida dept revenue international relations respect foreign intercourse trade people act single government unified adequate national power japan line county los angeles quoting board trustees tax affecting foreign commerce therefore raises two concerns addition four delineated complete auto first prompted enhanced risk multiple taxation container second relates federal government capacity speak one voice regulating commercial relations foreign governments japan line quoting michelin tire wages california worldwide combined reporting system easily meets three four complete auto criteria nexus requirement met business three taxpayers barcal bbi colgate california years question see mobil oil commissioner taxes fair apportionment standard also barclay bank plc franchise tax satisfied neither barclays colgate demonstrated lack rational relationship income attributed state intrastate values enterprise container internal quotation marks omitted petitioners shown income attributed california appropriate proportion business transacted taxpayers state internal quotation marks omitted note regard applied every jurisdiction california method result barclay bank plc franchise tax unitary business income taxed surely california afforded colgate barclays taxpayers protection opportunities benefits state exact return wisconsin penney see asarco idaho state tax barclays colgate vigorously contends however california worldwide combined reporting scheme violates component complete auto test barclays maintains foreign owner taxpayer filing california tax return forced convert diverse financial accounting records around world language currency accounting principles prohibitive expense brief petitioner taxpayers contrast need incur expense already keep records english currency accord accounting principles barclays urges imposing prohibitive administrative burden enterprises gives competitive advantage counterparts constitutes economic protectionism kind often condemned compliance burdens disproportionately imposed enterprises may indeed inconsonant barclay bank plc franchise tax commerce clause see hunt washington state apple advertising increased costs imposed north carolina statute apple producers tend shield local apple industry competition washington apple growers thereby discriminating growers factual predicate barclays discrimination claim however infirm barclays points provisions california implementing regulations setting three discrete means taxpayer fulfill franchise tax reporting requirements modes compliance require barclays gather present much information maintained unitary group ordinary course business california regulations however also provide tax board shall consider effort expense required obtain necessary information appropriate cases necessary data developed financial records maintained regular course business may accept reasonable approximations title appeal comprehended determining barclays worldwide income barclays tax board used latter provisions made computations based reasonable approximations barclay bank plc franchise tax dist thus allowing barclays avoid large compliance costs complains barclays shown california provision reasonable approximations systematically overtaxes foreign corporations generally bbi barcal particular sum barclays demonstrated california tax system fact operates impose inordinate compliance burdens foreign enterprises barclays claim unconstitutional discrimination foreign commerce therefore fails iii barclays additionally argues california reasonable approximations method reducing compliance burden incompatible due process foreign multinationals barclays maintains remain peril filing tax returns standard determine approximations accepted brief petitioner barclays presents substantive grievance concerning treatment received example approximation rejected tax board unreasonable barclays instead complains grant standardless discretion violates due process taxpayer need show actual harm arbitrary application ibid note initially reasonableness guide admitting effective judicial review myriad settings encounters police citizenry see terry ohio fourth amendment permits police officer limited search barclay bank plc franchise tax weapons circumstances reasonably prudent man warranted belief safety others danger based upon reasonable inferences draw facts light officer experience closely analogous federal income tax context see allowing deductions ordinary business expenses including reasonable allowance salaries compensation permitting reasonable allowance wear tear depreciation deduction see also ragen noting determinations reference standard reasonableness unusual federal income tax laws next observe california judiciary construed california law curtail discretion california tax officials see tax board must consider regularly maintained readily accessibly corporate documents deciding whether cost effort producing worldwide combined reporting information justifies submission reasonable approximations note furthermore california afforded barclays opportunity clarify meaning regulation inquiry resort administrative process see hoffman estates flipside hoffman estates taxpayers state scheme may seek advance determination tax board regarding tax consequences proposed course action title rules governing international income allocation inescapable imprecision given complexity subject matter see container allocation bears barclay bank plc franchise tax resemblance slicing shadow mindful rules vagueness mechanically applied depend application nature enactment hoffman estates supra hold california scheme transgress constitutional limitations regard barclays due process argument weighty claim discrimination first placed commerce clause heading iv satisfied california corporate franchise tax proper fair tested complete auto guides see container proceed additional scrutiny required state seeks tax foreign commerce first two additional considerations enhanced risk multiple taxation container container upheld application california combined reporting obligation foreign subsidiaries domestic corporations barclay bank plc franchise tax emphasis added charge application unconstitutionally exposed subsidiaries risk multiple international taxation barclays contends situation compels different outcome application combined reporting obligation foreign multinationals creates aggravated risk double taxation brief petitioner quoting nos sacramento county reprinted app pet cert barclays rests argument observation foreign multinationals typically operations entities outside compared domestic multinationals typically smaller share operations entities outside result higher proportion income foreign multinational subject taxation foreign sovereigns reality barclays concludes means foreign multinational must include foreign operations california combined reporting group breadth double taxation degree burden foreign commerce greater case domestic multinationals ibid question barclays assertion multinational enterprises high proportion income taxed jurisdictions wage rates property values sales prices lower california face correspondingly high risk multiple international taxation see barclay bank plc franchise tax container cf powell dissenting describing formulary apportionment leads multiple taxation question multinationals higher proportion income average counterparts container approval tax face multiple taxation challenge rest insufficiency evidence multiple taxation might occur indeed accepted case taxpayer assertion multiple taxation fact occurred tax imposed like tax japan line resulted actual double taxation sense income taxed without apportionment foreign nations attributable appellant foreign subsidiaries also taxed california attributable state share total income unitary business subsidiaries part see also container holding multiple taxation relied two considerations first multiple taxation inevitable result california tax second alternativ reasonably available taxing state version separate arm length approach eliminate risk double taxation barclay bank plc franchise tax might cases enhance risk underscored even though nations adopted approach general outlines precise rules reallocate income among affiliated corporations often differ substantially whenever difference exists possibility double taxation also exists ibid emphasis added see also california trouble avoiding multiple taxation even adopted approach considerations dispositively diminished california tax applied components foreign opposed domestic multinationals multiple taxation entities california scheme inevitable existence vel non actual multiple taxation income remains container dependent facts individual case held adoption separate accounting system dispositively lessen risk multiple taxation income earned foreign affiliates corporations see reason respect income earned foreign affiliates corporations refused container require california give one allocation method sometimes results double taxation favor another allocation method also sometimes results double barclay bank plc franchise tax taxation foreign domicile taxpayer taxpayer parent factor inadequate warrant retraction position recognizing multiple taxation international enterprise may occur whatever taxing scheme state adopts dissent finds impermissible dormant foreign commerce clause double taxation burdens foreign corporation need protection lack access political process occurs state conform international practice post image politically impotent foreign transactor surely belied battalion foreign governments marched barclays aid deploring worldwide combined reporting diplomatic notes amicus briefs even retaliatory legislation see infra post indeed california responded impressive political activity eliminated mandatory worldwide combined reporting see supra view activity control rein congress holds see infra agree international practice force dictate commerce clause jurisprudence therefore adhere precedent set container turn finally question ultimately energetically presented california worldwide combined reporting requirement applied barcal bbi colgate impair federal uniformity area federal uniformity essential japan line particular state taxing scheme preven federal government speaking one voice international trade quoting michelin tire wages barclay bank plc franchise tax two decisions principally inform judgment first determination container second decision three years later wardair canada florida dept revenue container held california worldwide combined reporting requirement applied domestic corporations foreign subsidiaries violate one voice standard container bears colgate case barcal bbi extent tax container imposed foreign entity domestic corporation factors emphasized container however relevant complaints three taxpayers consolidated cases us significantly found specific indications congressional intent preempt california tax first claim federal tax statutes provide necessary preemptive force second although party great number tax treaties require federal government adopt form barclay bank plc franchise tax analysis taxing domestic income multinational enterprises requirement generally waived respect taxes imposed contracting nations domestic corporations third tax treaties entered generally cover taxing activities subnational governmental units none treaties restriction methods taxation apply moreover senate least one occasion considering proposed treaty attached reservation declining give consent provision treaty extended restriction finally congress long debated enacted legislation designed regulate state taxation income footnotes internal quotation marks omitted barclay bank plc franchise tax disagreed observing proffered evidence disclosed federal policy kind described indeed demonstrated federal government intended permit impose sales taxes aviation fuel international convention resolution bilateral treaties carrier relied show policy tax exemption instrumentalities international air traffic explained fact indicated far less hile appears international aspiration one hand eliminate impediments foreign air travel including taxation fuel law presently stands acquiesces taxation sale fuel political subdivisions countries emphasis original bilateral agreements prohibited federal government imposing national taxes aviation fuel used foreign carriers none prohibited subdivisions taxing sale fuel foreign airlines concluded negative implication arising international accords least acquiesced state taxation fuel used foreign carriers international travel therefore upheld florida tax wardair container considered one voice argument determining challenged state action otherwise constitutional important premise underlying decisions congress may passively indicate barclay bank plc franchise tax certain state practices impair federal uniformity area federal uniformity essential japan line need convey intent unmistakable clarity required permit state regulation discriminates interstate commerce otherwise falls short complete auto inspection see maine taylor requiring unambiguous indication congressional intent insulate otherwise invalid state legislation judicial dormant commerce clause scrutiny northwest airlines county kent slip container wardair discern specific indications congressional intent bar state action challenged decision upholding california franchise tax container left ball congress congress branch responsible regulation foreign commerce see art cl considered nationally uniform use separate accounting essential japan line supra enacted legislation prohibiting taxing corporate income based combined reporting method years elapsed since decision container congress failed enact legislation past three decades container congress aware foreign governments barclay bank plc franchise tax displeased worldwide combined reporting requirements many occasions studied state taxation multinational enterprises numerous barclay bank plc franchise tax bills introduced varied prohibited california reporting requirement challenged one group bills prohibited using combined reporting compelling inclusion combined reporting group corporate affiliates whose income derived substantially sources outside another set barred requiring taxpayers report income subject federal income tax thus foreign source income foreign barclay bank plc franchise tax corporations ordinarily reported see supra none bills however enacted history senate action kingdom tax treaty referred container see reinforces conclusion congress implicitly permitted use worldwide combined reporting method originally negotiated president treaty known convention avoidance double taxation prevention fiscal evasion respect taxes income capital gains precluded requiring corporate taxpayers use combined reporting compute state income see art senate rejected version treaty ultimately ratified agreement subject reservation provisions article shall apply political subdivision local authority final version treaty prohibited state tax discrimination british nationals art art require barclay bank plc franchise tax use separate accounting water edge apportionment income given indicia congress willingness tolerate worldwide combined reporting mandates even mandates applied foreign corporations domestic corporations foreign parents conclude foreign policy whose nuances much province executive branch congress seriously threatened container supra california practice warrant intervention constitutional authority make policy judgments essential regulating foreign commerce conducting foreign affairs matters relating conduct foreign relations exclusively entrusted political branches government largely immune judicial inquiry interference harisiades shaughnessy reason barclays amici argument california worldwide combined reporting requirement unconstitutional likely provoke retaliatory action foreign governments directed wrong forum judiciary barclay bank plc franchise tax vested power decide balance particular risk retaliation sovereign right whole let tax please container support argument california worldwide combined reporting method impermissibly interferes federal government ability speak one voice distinguish container colgate points series executive branch actions statements amicus filings made decision container colgate contends taken together executive pronouncements constitute clear federal directive proscribing use worldwide combined reporting brief petitioner quoting container supra barclay bank plc franchise tax executive statements colgate refers however perform service colgate enlist constitution expressly grants congress president power regulate commerce foreign nations art cl detailed supra nn congress focused attention issue refrained exercising authority prohibit worldwide combined reporting executive branch proposed legislation outlaw state taxation practice encountered unreceptive congress evidence practice interfered nation ability speak one voice rather evidence preeminent speaker decided yield floor others cf itel containers huddleston slip scalia concurring part concurring judgment president better able decide state regulatory interests currently subordinated national interest foreign commerce constitution however neither make decision congress may delegate large grants power foreign commerce president also possesses right certain powers conferred constitution nation organ foreign affairs chicago southern air lines waterman need consider scope president power preempt state law pursuant authority delegated statute ratified treaty address whether president may displace state law pursuant legally binding executive barclay bank plc franchise tax agreements foreign nations made absence either congressional grant denial authority rely upon independent powers youngstown sheet tube sawyer jackson concurring executive branch actions press releases letters amicus briefs colgate relies merely precatory executive branch communications express federal policy lack force law render unconstitutional california otherwise valid congressionally condoned use worldwide combined reporting barclay bank plc franchise tax affirmed footnotes barclay bank plc franchise tax california modified formula double weight sales factor ann west supp cal ch affiliated group domestic corporations may however elect file consolidated federal tax return lieu separate returns effective enforcement arm length standards requires exacting scrutiny taxing jurisdiction commentators maintain results arbitrary event see hellerstein hellerstein supra describing three inherent defects separate accounting compliance expense impracticability difficulty arriving arm length prices internal revenue code foreign corporation reports income derived source otherwise effectively connected corporation conduct trade business domestic corporations must report income whether source domestic foreign though receive tax barclay bank plc franchise tax credit qualifying taxes paid foreign sovereigns ed supp iv figures used tax board worldwide california business franchise taxable formula income tax taxpayer income percentage app joint stipulation facts petitioner barclays bank plc successor interest tax refund claims barcal bbi convenience opinion uses barclays refer collectively taxpayers petitioner colgate offered following figures using water edge approach water edge california income taxable formula business franchise year income percentage income tax sacramento county apr reprinted app pet cert california worldwide combined reporting method computations worldwide california income taxable formula business franchise year income percentage income tax jurisprudence refers aspect commerce clause dormant negative commerce clause amicus curiae government kingdom points quill north dakota held commerce clause demands connection barclay bank plc franchise tax minimum contacts suffice satisfy due process nexus requirement assertion judicial jurisdiction brief government kingdom amicus curiae pp noting absence meaningful contact california activities barclays group members operating exclusively outside kingdom asserts trial erred concluded california requisite nexus every member barclays group emphasis added trial however reach conclusion kingdom suggests cause kingdom recognizes theory underlying unitary taxation certain intangible flows value within unitary group serve link various members together essentially single entity formulary apportionment income unitary business enterprise fairly done taxes income generated within state director div taxation slip upholding unitary business principle appropriate means distinguishing income generated within state income generated without quill held commerce clause requires taxpayer physical presence taxing jurisdiction jurisdiction constitutionally impose use tax california presence taxpayers us undisputed find nothing quill suggest california may reference income corporations worldwide taxpayers closely intertwined order approximate taxpayers california income barclays estimates trial found accounting system capable conveying information barclays thought california worldwide reporting scheme required enterprise foreign affiliates cost million set million annually maintain brief petitioner nos sacramento county reprinted app pet cert pp regulations barclays refers unitary business operations foreign countries may determine worldwide income based upon either profit loss statement foreign branch corporation title consolidated profit loss statement prepared related corporations unitary business member prepared filing securities exchange commission title consolidated profit loss statement prepared reporting shareholders subject review independent auditor ibid california appeal additionally found barclays actual compliance costs relatively modest years prior issue ranging per annum bbi see noted california appeal even federal separate accounting scheme preferred barclays entails recourse standard akin reasonable approximation internal revenue code allows secretary treasury distribute apportion allocate gross income deductions credits allowances among controlled group businesses determines distribution apportionment allocation necessary order prevent evasion taxes clearly reflect income businesses see app testimony barclays expert witness requires reasonable approximation prices peck commissioner irs determination prices sustained unless unreasonable arbitrary capricious reserved judgment whether altered analysis required taxpayer part enterprise see container illustrate barclays points operations three entities barclays group business brief petitioner stated double taxation case although real inevitabl result california taxing scheme faced two distinct methods allocating income multinational enterprise approach divides pie basis formal accounting principles formula apportionment method divides pie basis mathematical generalization whether combination two methods results income taxed twice portion income taxed dependent solely facts individual case container internal citation omitted decision container effectively modified purposes income taxation commerce clause multiple taxation inquiry described japan line county los angeles holding unconstitutional application california ad valorem property tax cargo containers based japan used exclusively foreign commerce japan line confronting property tax containers used instrumentalities foreign commerce income tax companies said state tax incompatible commerce clause creates substantial risk international multiple taxation container noted recognize fact legal incidence tax falls corporation whose formal corporate domicile domestic might less significant case domestic corporation owned foreign interests need decide whether case require us alter analysis container observed tax create automatic asymmetry international taxation quoting japan line supra inevitably lead double taxation see supra furthermore colgate barcal bbi without doubt amenable taxed california one way another amount tax pa much function california tax rate allocation method see also itel containers huddleston barclay bank plc franchise tax slip upholding tennessee tax lease cargo containers used exclusively international shipping tax question among proscribed various conventions statutes regulations rational inference drawn th tax one quite distinct general class import duties permitted governments many trading partners expressed strong disapproval california method taxation demonstrated amici briefs support barclays government kingdom member european communities belgium denmark france germany greece ireland italy luxembourg netherlands portugal spain governments australia austria canada finland japan norway sweden switzerland barclays also directed attention series diplomatic notes similarly protesting tax see app pp see also letter secretary state george schultz california governor deukmejian department state received diplomatic notes complaining state use worldwide unitary method taxation virtually every developed country british parliament gone enacting retaliatory legislation implemented tax corporations dividends receive kingdom subsidiaries see finance act pt ch sch eng reenacted income corporation taxes act pt ch sch pursuant pub stat congress undertook make full complete studies matters pertaining taxation interstate commerce house committee judiciary held extensive hearings primarily domestic implications alternative tax apportionment schemes see state income taxation mercantile manufacturing corporations hearings special subcommittee state taxation interstate commerce house committee judiciary sess subcommittee comprehensive final report recommended inter alia formula apportionment used sole method dividing income among tax purposes state taxation interstate commerce report special subcommittee state taxation interstate commerce house committee judiciary sess required refrain taxing foreign income exempt federal taxation congress however enacted barclay bank plc franchise tax legislation embodying recommendations congress continued study debate matter next two decades see interstate taxation act companion bills hearings special subcommittee state taxation interstate commerce house committee judiciary sess state taxation interstate commerce hearings subcommittee state taxation interstate commerce senate committee finance sess interstate taxation hearings senate committee judiciary sess recommendations task force foreign source income house committee ways means sess comm print state taxation foreign source income hearings house committee ways means sess state taxation interstate commerce worldwide corporate income hearings subcommittee taxation debt management generally senate committee finance sess unitary taxation hearing subcommittee international economic policy senate committee foreign relations sess see sess sess sess sess sess sess sess sess sess see sess sess sess sess barclay bank plc franchise tax sess sess sess sess article provided except specifically provided article determining tax liability enterprise business contracting state political subdivision local authority contracting state contracting state political subdivision local authority shall take account income deductions receipts outgoings related enterprise contracting state enterprise third state related enterprise contracting state emphasis added article provides purpose article nondiscrimination convention shall also apply taxes every kind barclay bank plc franchise tax description imposed contracting state political subdivisions local authorities federal law long embodied preference arm length method sense method used computing federal income tax liability multinational corporations render state use different method unconstitutional solicitor general points brief amicus curiae pp emphasis original citing mobil oil commissioner taxes concurrent federal state taxation income course well established norm absent explicit directive congress infer treatment foreign income federal level mandates identical treatment see brief petitioner pp brief barclay bank plc franchise tax government kingdom amicus curiae pp brief member european communities et amici curiae pp colgate cites example president reagan decision introduce legislation confining water edge method state taxation multinational corporations weekly comp statement president reagan letters sent members reagan bush administrations governor california chairman senate finance committee expressing federal government opposition worldwide combined reporting app pp department justice amicus briefs filed arguing worldwide combined reporting method violates dormant commerce clause brief amicus curiae chicago bridge iron caterpillar tractor cert dismissed brief amicus curiae barclays bank plc franchise tax bd cert denied see belmont solicitor general suggests analyzes whether state tax impairs federal government ability speak one voice statements executive branch officials entitled substantial evidentiary weight brief amicus curiae argues constitutionality state taxing practice must assessed according federal policy effect time challenged taxes assessed asserts federal officials articulated policy opposing use worldwide combined reporting prior urges affirm judgments ground california use worldwide combined reporting unconstitutional years issue even became unconstitutional later years question takes position see tr oral arg colgate hand suggests relevant timeframe tax definitively enforced state taxing authority judicial proceedings necessary tax technically accrues state law reply brief petitioner argues alternative federal policy opposing combined worldwide reporting established need resolve dispute concluded executive statements criticizing use worldwide combined reporting light congress acquiescence actions authorize judicial intervention barclay bank plc franchise tax justice blackmun concurring last term itel containers huddleston blackmun dissenting slip op expressed disagreement willingness applying one voice test infe permission tax congress supposed failure prohibit see also wardair canada florida dept revenue blackmun dissenting accordingly rely present case congressional inaction conclude congress implicitly permitted use worldwide combined reporting method ante nevertheless today holding largely controlled container america franchise tax california corporate franchise tax directly burden instrumentalities foreign commerce see itel supra wardair supra japan line county los angeles agree tax impair federal uniformity barclay bank plc franchise tax area federal uniformity essential therefore join opinion barclay bank plc franchise tax justice scalia concurring part concurring judgment concur judgment join opinion except part disposes petitioners negative foreign commerce clause argument applying speak one voice test japan line county los angeles stated last term itel containers huddleston scalia concurring part concurring judgment enforce negative commerce clause two circumstances state law facially discriminates interstate foreign commerce state law indistinguishable type law previously held unconstitutional omitted absent one circumstances permit employ whatever means taxation choose insofar commerce clause concerned neither barclay bank plc franchise tax circumstance exists california tax therefore survives commerce clause attack sure opinion today requires legislative inaction establish congress implicitly permitted impose particular restriction foreign commerce ante prove much different approach consequences moreover unquestionable improvement itel whereas speak one voice analysis opinion gave power determine constitutionality state law executive branch see scalia concurring part concurring judgment today opinion restores power congress albeit form strangely permits exercised silence barclay bank plc franchise tax justice justice thomas joins concurring judgment part dissenting part joined justice powell dissent container america franchise tax board continue think erred upholding california use worldwide combined reporting taxing income corporate group state private parties justifiably relied constitutionality taxing corporations congress seen fit override decision agree container overruled cf quill north dakota ex rel heitcamp slip resolves constitutional challenge raised therefore concur judgment barclays bank hand parent company multinational corporate group holding container expressly extend barclay bank plc franchise tax situation see view california tax constitutionally applied foreign corporations therefore respectfully dissent state tax interstate commerce must meet four requirements negative commerce clause precedents tax must activity substantial nexus taxing state must fairly apportioned must discriminate interstate commerce must fairly related services provided state complete auto transit brady substantially reasons explained see ante agree imposition california tax complies four complete auto factors also agree california practice accepting reasonable approximations statutorily required financial data violate due process see ante state tax foreign commerce however must satisfy two additional inquiries first whether tax notwithstanding apportionment creates substantial risk international multiple taxation second whether tax prevents federal government speaking one voice regulating commercial relations foreign governments state tax contravenes either precepts unconstitutional commerce clause japan line county los angeles emphasis added general agreement see ante second japan line factor purported need federal uniformity prevent use worldwide combined reporting taxing foreign corporations congress executive judiciary given power regulate commerce art cl legislature neither approved disapproved california tax although circumstances courts power barclay bank plc franchise tax scrutinize taxes consistency negative commerce clause jurisprudence determination made basis objective factors outlined complete auto foreign commerce context multiple taxation analysis discussed japan line statements made briefs filed officials executive branch cf itel containers huddleston slip scalia concurring part concurring judgment indeed inconsistent positions taken solicitor general course barclays challenge california tax illustrate perils resting constitutional determinations evidence compare brief amicus curiae arguing california tax constitutionally applied barclays tax years question brief amicus curiae barclays bank franchise tax board pp arguing imposition california tax barclays unconstitutional agree resolution japan line factor need avoid international multiple taxation see ante barclays business countries california application worldwide combined reporting taxes income trial found fact definite risk well actual double taxation app pet cert double taxation occurs california adopted taxing system inconsistent taxing method used foreign taxing authorities california formula assigns higher proportion income jurisdictions wage rates property values sales prices higher extent california jurisdiction usually formula inherently leads double taxation whenever three factors higher barclay bank plc franchise tax california state tax income formula already taxed another country accepted international practice container recognized california tax ha resulted actual double taxation stem ming serious divergence taxing schemes adopted california foreign taxing authorities taxing method adopted foreign taxing authorities consistent accepted international practice nevertheless held tax violate japan line principle two factors relied tax income rather property multiple taxation inevitable carry force today terms ago see powell dissenting present well also relied third ground distinguish tax upheld container tax invalidated japan line tax falls foreign owners instrumentality foreign commerce corporation domiciled headquartered specifically left open japan line application case domestically owned instrumentalities engaged foreign commerce case falls clearly within reservation quoting japan line continued need address opinion constitutionality california tax respect state taxation domestic corporations foreign parents foreign corporations either foreign parents foreign subsidiaries see also recognizes ante barclays challenge california tax therefore presents question expressly left open container make constitutional difference barclay bank plc franchise tax multiple taxation resulting california use worldwide combined reporting falls foreign corporation rather domestic one view answer yes japan line teaches instrumentality commerce analogously corporate domicile foreign multiple taxation resulting state taxing scheme may violate commerce clause even though tax constitutional applied domestic corporation worldwide combined reporting applied american corporate groups foreign affiliates container income attributable foreign companies taxed california even though also subject tax foreign countries cases incidence tax falls domestic parent corporation corporation subject full taxation notwithstanding source income california tax applied foreign corporate group domestic foreign affiliates income foreign companies also taxed california incidence tax cases falls foreign corporation even though subnational governments entitled tax income earned domestically view prohibited absent express congressional authorization foreign commerce clause adopting system taxation conform international practice results multiple taxation foreign corporations may rule leave california free discriminate delaware corporation favor overseas corporation container supra powell dissenting reason differential treatment obvious domestic taxpayers access political process state national levels foreign taxpayers simply enjoy california barclay bank plc franchise tax tax results intolerable double taxation domestic corporations companies seek redress normal channels cf minnesota clover leaf creamery raymond motor transportation rice easy however state legislature fill state coffers expense outsiders trading partners objected california use worldwide combined reporting see demarche danish embassy behalf governments european community mar views ec member worldwide unitary taxation well known government member expressed strong opposition california tax number diplomatic communiques government present date demarche belgian embassy behalf governments member european community australia austria canada finland japan norway sweden switzerland least one country already enacted retaliatory legislation see brief government kingdom amicus curiae moreover possibility multiple taxation undoubtedly deters foreign investment country see brief member european communities et al amici curiae adverse consequences affect nation whole result solely california refusal conform taxing practices internationally accepted standard unlike see ante dismiss difficulties solely relying observation container perverse simply sake avoiding double taxation require california give one allocation method sometimes results double taxation favor another allocation barclay bank plc franchise tax method also sometimes results double taxation addition factually incorrect see powell dissenting discussion alternatives container proceeded well established proposition need conform taxing practices neighbors least far domestic commerce concerned see moorman mfg bair multiple taxation domestic companies avoided extent necessary fair apportionment requirement see container supra general motors washington japan line squarely rejected argument principle applies taxes imposed instrumentalities either nation ensure full apportionment one taxing entities foreign sovereign instrumentality commerce domiciled abroad country domicile may right consistently custom nations impose tax full value state seek tax instrumentality apportioned basis multiple taxation inevitably results due absence authoritative tribunal capable ensuring aggregation taxes computed one full value state tax even though fairly apportioned reflect instrumentality presence within state may subject foreign commerce risk double tax burden domestic commerce exposed commerce clause forbids internal quotation marks omitted barclay bank plc franchise tax