Synopsys advocates for public policy solutions that promote innovation, the global economy, and our industry interests. Synopsys is committed to engaging in public policy processes relevant to our operations in areas such as innovation and IP, taxation, global trade, and workforce.
With respect to political activities undertaken on behalf of Synopsys, the company is committed to compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations including, but not limited to, lobbying registration and disclosure laws, ethics rules, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and anti-bribery laws worldwide.
Synopsys may engage in direct advocacy with government officials on public policies, legislation, and regulations relevant to our company. The company may also engage in indirect advocacy through trade and industry associations, which are selected for their integrity and alignment with the policy interests of Synopsys and the broader tech community. Trade and industry associations represent broad and varying interests, so Synopsys’ involvement with a particular association does not mean the company endorses its entire agenda.
All Synopsys advocacy via trade associations must be reviewed and approved in advance by Government Affairs.
Synopsys does not directly contribute to political parties or candidates. In addition, Synopsys does not contribute to political action committees or 527 organizations. The Government Affairs team may contribute periodically to local ballot initiatives in the U.S., consistent with Synopsys’ quality of life goals and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Any political contribution on behalf of Synopsys must be pre-approved by the Government Affairs and Ethics and Compliance teams.
Synopsys employees are free to participate in political activities or contribute to political parties and candidates so long as they do so as individuals and in a personal capacity, not on behalf of Synopsys or that could be viewed in any way as being on behalf of Synopsys.
No employee may engage in grassroots lobbying activities where other employees are encouraged to contact government officials on an issue.
Employees may work in a personal capacity with a particular industry or trade association if pre-approved through Synopsys’ Conflicts of Interest Portal and as long as the employee does not suggest in any way that he/she is representing Synopsys.
Synopsys, Inc. (“Synopsys”) is the U.S.-based parent of a multinational group that operates in the Electronic Design Automation, Silicon IP, and Software Security & Quality markets. Synopsys is an SEC registrant and NASDAQ listed company.
This document is a statement of the strategy of Synopsys (Northern Europe) Limited ("Synopsys UK"), which is an indirectly held UK subsidiary of Synopsys, regarding UK taxation. [1]
Synopsys and Synopsys UK intend this statement to meet obligations with respect to Section 161 and paragraph 22 of Schedule 19 of the United Kingdom Finance Act 2016.
Synopsys maintains written policies applicable to all tax risks on a global basis. A goal inherent in Synopsys’ policies and practices is achieving tax certainty through effective identification, evaluation, and management of tax risk. In addition, as an SEC registrant, Synopsys complies with standards for financial and internal controls that are among the highest in the world.
The Vice President of Corporate Tax is responsible for managing all tax risks, undertaking an annual review of Synopsys’ overall tax strategy with Synopsys’ CFO and Audit Committee. A supporting team of qualified and experienced in-house tax and finance professionals manage Synopsys’ routine tax matters. This includes tax reporting compliance, tax authority relations, and financial reporting obligations, as well as supporting Synopsys’ business functions to analyze potential transactions and identify, manage, and comply with relevant tax requirements.
Synopsys obtains legal advice to ensure adherence to applicable tax law and affirmatively engages with tax authorities, particularly where tax outcomes are significant or uncertain. Material matters are escalated to various levels of management and the Audit Committee, as directed by policies.
These policies and principles apply equally to the UK.
In general, Synopsys considers that it maintains a low threshold level of acceptable tax risk.
Synopsys and Synopsys UK align their tax planning with their worldwide commercial activities and business objectives. Substantive changes within the business, such as acquisitions and expansion into new territories or markets, may necessitate planning to ensure efficient and appropriate taxation outcomes. Synopsys and Synopsys UK do not undertake aggressive tax planning but may avail of government-sponsored tax incentives in various forms for which the business activities of Synopsys qualify.
Both Synopsys and Synopsys UK apply high ethical standards in complying with applicable global tax laws and regulations.
Synopsys and Synopsys UK maintain high ethical standards in their dealings with all tax officials. Synopsys UK has met all its compliance obligations in relation to all UK taxes. In the past, Synopsys UK has sought and, where possible, will in the future seek, advance assurance with HMRC on UK tax matters that are significant or uncertain.
This statement is made pursuant to Section 161 of the United Kingdom Finance Act 2016 and was approved by the Directors of Synopsys (Northern Europe) Limited on 19 December 2019 and is effective as of that date.
Published: 19 December 2019.
[1] Another indirectly held UK subsidiary of Synopsys, Black Duck Software Ltd., was dissolved on May 14, 2019.