News & Events

OECD countries’ tax burdens back up to 2000 historic highs

17-Oct-2007

The average tax burden in OECD countries, measured as the ratio of tax to gross domestic product (GDP), is back up to the same levels as in 2000 after a brief reduction between 2001 and 2004, according to figures in the latest edition of the OECD’s annual Revenue Statistics publication.

International Tax Dialogue (ITD) Global Conference Press Release: Taxation of Small and Medium Enterprises – Getting it right

17-Oct-2007

On October 17 – 19 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the International Tax Dialogue - a collaborative initiative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Bank - convened a global tax conference to examine the experiences of countries in the taxation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The Press release is also available in French and Spanish.

2007 Update on the implementation of the 1996 OECD recommendation

16-Oct-2007

The Committee on Fiscal Affairs monitors the implementation of the 1996 Recommendation. Latest legislation changes concern Belgium and Greece.

2007 Update on the implementation of the 1996 OECD recommendation on the tax deductibility of bribes to foreign public officials in countries parties to the bribery convention.

OECD reports progress in fighting offshore tax evasion, but says more efforts are needed

12-Oct-2007

Many financial centres, both onshore and offshore, are making progress in improving transparency and international co-operation to counter offshore tax evasion, but some still fall short of international standards that have been developed over the last seven years, according to OECD assessments.

Non-discrimination: Comments on the OECD Discussion Draft

08-Oct-2007

On 3 May 2007, the OECD released a public discussion draft  on the Application and Interpretation of Article 24 (Non-discrimination). The OECD has now published the comments received on that draft.

Economic survey of the United Kingdom 2007: Tax competition: How to remain competitive?

28-Sep-2007

The OECD’s latest economic survey of the UK, published on Thursday 27 September 2007, includes a special look at the reforms needed to raise skill levels across the workforce. It also analyses issues such as taxation, planning regulations and transport infrastructure.

Senior Management Appointment: Mr. Pascal Saint-Amans, Head of the International Co-operation and Tax Competition Division on 26 September 2007

25-Sep-2007

The OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Pascal Saint-Amans as Head of its International Co-operation and Tax Competition Division.

Transfer Pricing, Customs Duties and VAT Rules: Can We Bridge the Gap?

11-Sep-2007

While the importance of transfer pricing is increasingly appreciated, the focus has traditionally been on direct taxation and transfer pricing still largely remains a subject for tax specialists. In the past decade, however, it has become obvious that the customs duties and, more recently, the VAT (value added tax) dimensions of transfer pricing can also take quite a toll on a company’s profits and on government revenues, and they are now increasingly attracting the attention of governments and businesses.

OECD releases revised draft of Part IV (Insurance) of Report on Attribution of Profits to Permanent Establishments

23-Aug-2007

On 22 August, the OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs published a revised public discussion draft of Part IV (Insurance) of its Report on the Attribution of Profits to Permanent Establishments. The revised draft replaces the original draft of Part IV released in June 2005. Comments may be submitted  by 31 October 2007 to Jeffrey Owens, Director, CTPA (jeffrey.owens@oecd.org). A consultation meeting with interested commentators will be held on 26 November 2007.

OECD removes the Marshall Islands from its List of Unco-operative Tax Havens

07-Aug-2007

The OECD is pleased to announce that the Republic of the Marshall Islands has made a commitment to implement a programme to improve transparency and to establish effective exchange of information in tax matters.