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What's new

Bermuda signs tax information accord with Germany

03-Jul-2009

Bermuda and Germany today signed a bilateral agreement for the exchange of information for tax purposes, bringing to 13 the number of such agreements that Bermuda has entered into.

Money Laundering through the Football Sector

01-Jul-2009

The FATF has just completed a study on what may make the football sector attractive to criminals.  It provides several case examples of areas that could be exploited by those wanting to invest illegal money into football.  In preparing the report, the authors engaged with several major sports organisations as well as experts from FATF and non-FATF members. 

Gibraltar has signed a bilateral agreement for the exchange of information for tax purposes with Ireland

25-Jun-2009

Gibraltar and Ireland signed yesterday, 24 June 2009, a bilateral agreement for the exchange of information for tax purposes, bringing to 2 the number of such agreements entered into by  Gibraltar.

New TIEA signed between the Cayman Islands and Ireland

24-Jun-2009

The Cayman Islands and Ireland signed yesterday, 23 June 2009, in Berlin, a bilateral agreement for the exchange of information for tax purposes, bringing to 10 the number of such agreements entered into by the Cayman Islands.

OECD’s Gurría welcomes recent progress in moves to combat tax evasion

23-Jun-2009

Addressing a conference organised by the French and German governments  in Berlin on the fight against tax fraud and evasion, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría welcomed progress in implementing international standards of transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes.

Berlin conference on fighting tax evasion gives backing to OECD standards

23-Jun-2009

At a meeting in Berlin on 23 June hosted by France and Germany, ministers from 19 countries reviewed progress in the fight against international tax evasion, welcoming recent moves by significant financial centres, including four OECD member countries, towards implementation of the OECD standard on transparency and exchange of information in tax matters. 

OECD Conference “Transfer Pricing and Treaties in a Changing World”

from 21-Sep-2009 to 22-Sep-2009

The Conference website for this major event is now live. Check the Conference programme, related background material, details on speakers, as well as practical information. Register now to secure your place!

G8 Finance Ministers welcome progress in negotiations of agreements on the exchange of information for tax purposes

17-Jun-2009

In a statement following their 12-13 June meeting in Lecce, ministers urged "further progress in the implementation of the OECD standards and the involvement of the widest possible number of jurisdictions, including developing countries. It is also essential to develop an effective peer-review mechanism to assess compliance with the same standards. This could be delivered by an expanded Global Forum. We also look forward to an update on progress on the G20 agreement to tackle tax havens at the next OECD Ministerial meeting."

OECD holds Consultation with Business on Transfer Pricing Aspects of Business Restructurings

from 09-Jun-2009 to 10-Jun-2009

On 9-10 June 2009, the OECD held a consultation with business commentators on its discussion draft on the transfer pricing aspects of business restructurings which was released for public comment in September 2008.

Bermuda signs tax information accord with the Netherlands

08-Jun-2009

Bermuda and the Netherlands today signed a bilateral agreement for the exchange of information for tax purposes, bringing to 12 the number of such agreements that it Bermuda has entered into and thereby crossing the threshold for being considered to have substantially implemented the internationally agreed standard in this area.

Public comments on Reports Relating to Claims for Treaty Benefits by Portfolio Investors

08-Jun-2009

The Informal Consultative Group on the Taxation of Collective Investment Vehicles and Procedures for Tax Relief for Cross-Border Investors (ICG) prepared for the consideration of the OECD’s Committee on Fiscal Affairs (CFA) two reports which were released on 12 January 2009. Given the recommendations included in the reports, the CFA decided at the time of their release to invite comments from all interested parties before further consideration of the reports. The OECD has now published the comments received on the reports.

Recovering VAT/GST incurred abroad: Survey

from 05-Jun-2009 to 17-Jul-2009

The OECD has launched a new survey into the VAT “lost” by businesses due to the difficulties of recovering tax incurred in countries other than their own. Businesses are invited to complete the survey by 17 July 2009.

Building transparent tax compliance by banks

04-Jun-2009

This report sets out the conclusions of the OECD study that examined the role of banks in the provision of aggressive tax planning arrangements. It examines the nature of banking, the complex structured financing transactions developed by banks and how they are then used by both banks and their clients.  The report makes a number of recommendations for revenue bodies and identifies best practices for consideration by banks.

Engaging with High Net Worth Individuals on tax compliance

04-Jun-2009

This report sets out the conclusions of the OECD’s study on tax compliance within the High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) taxpayer segment. The report concludes that HNWIs pose significant challenges to tax administrations because of the complexity of their affairs, their revenue contribution, the opportunity for aggressive tax planning, and the impact of their compliance behaviour on the integrity of the tax system. The study found that by focussing resources on the HNWI segment, significant improvements in compliance can be achieved.

Luxembourg strengthens tax information exchange provisions

04-Jun-2009

Luxembourg has today signed a protocol to its double taxation convention with Denmark. The protocol, which allows exchange of bank information for tax purposes, brings the convention up to the OECD standard.

The OECD’s evolving role in shaping international tax policy

03-Jun-2009

Opening remarks by Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General at the USCIB conference, Washington, 1st June 2009.

The OECD’s effort to help build a stronger, cleaner and fairer global economy

03-Jun-2009

The current economic crisis has exposed the deficiencies of economic global governance and the risk of having a highly integrated global economy with fragmented global economic decision-making and regulation. To improve our impact, we do need stronger, more inclusive and better coordinated international organisations, warned the OECD Secretary-General.

Tax collectors worldwide to co-operate in revenue-raising to offset fiscal deficits

29-May-2009

With governments facing soaring budget deficits as they seek to combat the global economic slump, tax authorities from around the world have agreed on a new cooperation plan to encourage tax compliance and counter tax evasion and abusive tax avoidance, with special focus on banks, wealthy individuals and offshore activities.

Fifth OECD Forum on Tax Administration: Paris Communiqué

29-May-2009

Tax Commissioners from OECD and non-OECD countries met to discuss the challenges and opportunities currently facing revenue bodies and taxpayers around the world as a result of the first truly global financial and economic crisis.  The Communiqué is now available.

Andorra, Liechtenstein and Monaco removed from OECD List of Unco-operative Tax Havens

27-May-2009

In the light of recent political commitments made by Andorra, Liechtenstein and Monaco to implement the OECD standards of transparency and effective exchange of information and the timetable set for the implementation, the OECD’s Committee on Fiscal Affairs has decided to remove all three jurisdictions  from its List of Unco-operative Tax Havens. 

Luxembourg, U.S. agree to exchange bank information for tax purposes

20-May-2009

Luxembourg has signed an agreement for the exchange of bank information on request in all tax matters with the U.S., marking a major step forward in international efforts to counter tax evasion.

British Virgin Islands signs tax information agreements with Nordic economies

19-May-2009

The British Virgin Islands has signed bilateral agreements with seven Nordic economies - Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden - on exchange of information for tax purposes.

OECD’s Taxing Wages shows small reduction in taxes on individual wage earners in 2008

12-May-2009

Taxes on wage earners fell slightly in 2008 in many OECD countries, with Poland and Turkey showing the biggest drop for an unmarried person earning the average wage, according to the OECD’s annual Taxing Wages publication. But the situation for 2009 remains unclear as fiscal stimulus packages often include tax measures.

Registration now open for the conference "Transfer Pricing and Treaties in a Changing World"

from 21-Sep-2009 to 22-Sep-2009

8 April 2009 - The OECD has just opened registration for its Conference "Transfer Pricing and Treaties in a Changing World", which will take place in Paris at the OECD’s Conference Centre on 21-22 September 2009. Over 600 participants, including representatives from more than 100 governments and from the business community, universities and international organisations, will gather in Paris for what is expected to be the transfer pricing event of the year.

Bahrain moves forward to strengthen tax information exchange provisions

07-May-2009

A protocol to the existing Bahrain-France Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation was signed today in Paris.

Tax haven crackdown will benefit developing countries, says OECD’s Gurría

24-Apr-2009

A crackdown on tax havens and cross-border tax evasion will help developing countries to raise more revenues to pay for much-needed schools, roads and hospitals, according to OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría. In an article published on the OECD’s website ahead of the 2009 spring meetings in Washington of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, Mr. Gurría said improving the effectiveness of developing countries’ tax systems is the “new frontier” in development policy.

OECD welcomes Uruguay’s commitment to OECD tax information exchange standards

03-Apr-2009

The OECD welcomed today the formal endorsement by Uruguay of its tax information exchange standards.  In a letter to Angel Gurría, Secretary-General of the OECD, Uruguay’s Finance Minister, Alvaro García, informed the OECD that Uruguay formally endorses the OECD’s standards on transparency and exchange of information, as set out in the 2005 version of Article 26 of the OECD Model Tax Convention.

Following G20 OECD delivers on tax pledge

02-Apr-2009

Following the G20 meeting and communiqué, the OECD Secretariat has provided a detailed report on progress by financial centres around the world towards implementation of an internationally agreed standard on exchange of information for tax purposes.

OECD welcomes Monaco pledge on exchange of information in tax matters

26-Mar-2009

OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría welcomed an announcement by Monaco that it is prepared to enter into agreements for the exchange of information in all tax matters in accordance with international standards developed by the OECD and recognised by the United Nations.

Macao, China announces plans to implement OECD standards

23-Mar-2009

The OECD welcomed an announcement by Macao, China that it intends to implement the OECD standards on transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes. Macao, China  stated that it proposes to modify its domestic legislation before the end of 2009 to enable it to exchange bank information on request with other jurisdictions.

 

OECD principles on exchange of information for tax purposes: a model for bilateral conventions

20-Mar-2009

In today’s difficult economic environment, growing political attention is being brought to bear on the issue of tax co-operation. G-20 Heads of States and Government, at their Washington Summit on 15 November 2008, identified the need, on the basis of work carried out by the OECD, to vigorously address the issues of lack of transparency and lack of exchange of information.

Improved tax cooperation a boost to restoring financial confidence - Gurría

15-Mar-2009

Moves by major financial centres to improve transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes mark a significant step forward in international tax cooperation and a welcome result of more than 12 years of OECD work reinforced by the imminence of the G-20 summit next month, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said.

Moves by financial centres boost OECD fight against tax evasion

12-Mar-2009

Moves by a number of financial centres over recent weeks in favour of transparency and exchange of information on tax matters have given a welcome boost to efforts to counter international tax evasion, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría said.

 

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