African Tax Administration Forum launched on 19-20 November 2009

20-Nov-2009

On 19-20 November the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) was launched by the President of Uganda. The ATAF mission is to mobilize domestic resources more effectively and increase the accountability of African States to African citizens whilst actively promoting an improvement in tax administration through sharing experiences, benchmarking and peer reviewing best practices.

Spain joins OECD/Council of Europe Convention on tax co-operation

16-Nov-2009

Spain has joined 16 other countries that have signed the OECD / Council of Europe Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, marking a new step forward in international efforts to combat tax fraud and evasion.

Singapore signs its 12th tax agreement meeting the OECD standard

13-Nov-2009

Singapore has today signed a protocol with France that brings the two countries’ bilateral tax treaty into line with the OECD standard on transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes. This being the 12th agreement that it has signed in accordance with the OECD standard, Singapore moves into the category of jurisdictions deemed to have substantially implemented the standard.

Liechtenstein implements internationally agreed tax standard

11-Nov-2009

Liechtenstein has signed two additional Tax Information Exchange Agreements with Belgium and the Netherlands bringing to 12 the number of agreements it has on exchange of information for tax purposes and thus crossing the threshold for being considered to have substantially implemented the internationally agreed standard in this area.

European Commission releases report on mutual assistance

20-Oct-2009

The report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament examines the use of the provisions on mutual assistance for the recovery of claims relating to certain levies, duties, taxes and other measures in 2005-2008. 

New handbook boosts anti-money laundering efforts

08-Oct-2009

Money laundering is a serious threat to the legal economy and affects the integrity of financial institutions. If left unchecked, it will corrupt society as a whole. The OECD has just released a handbook to help tax administrations detect and deter money laundering.

G20 Leaders welcome the expansion of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information

28-Sep-2009

In a statement following their 24-25 September meeting in Pittsburgh, the G20 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the momentum in dealing with tax havens, money laundering, proceeds of corruption, terrorist financing, and prudential standards.

The Council of Europe and OECD are strengthening their joint Convention to combat tax evasion

25-Sep-2009

On the eve of the Pittsburgh G20 Summit, the OECD and the Council of Europe agreed to improve international cooperation to combat tax evasion. The standards set by the joint 1988 Council of Europe and OECD Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters will be updated to reflect the new consensus for closer international co-operation.

Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles implement internationally agreed tax standard

11-Sep-2009

Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles have signed bilateral agreements with seven Nordic economies - Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden - on exchange of information for tax purposes.

This moves both jurisdictions into the category of ‘Jurisdictions that have substantially implemented the internationally agreed tax standard’ in the Progress Report initially published by the OECD Secretariat on 2 April 2009. Eight jurisdictions have now moved into the substantially implemented category since the Progress Report was first published.

G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors call for continued action to ensure a level playing field for tax

07-Sep-2009

In a statement following their 5 September meeting in London, in advance of Pittsburgh, the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the financial system, but stated that more needs to be done to maintain momentum.  They also stated that unprecedented progress has been made since the November 2008 G20 Summit with regard to the OECD’s standards of tax information exchange and transparency.