13/02/2020 - The Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (the Global Forum) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held a joint training event on the Exchange of Information on Request (EOIR) Peer Reviews and Implementation of the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) Standard from 17 January to 31 January 2020 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The event was hosted by the Revenue Service of Georgia, and attended by over 80 delegates from 37 jurisdictions. Tax Policy Advisors Colin Yan and Radovan Zidek from the Global Forum Secretariat and Ms. Aurore Arcambal and Mr. Jose Luis Syquia from the Office of Anticorruption and Integrity of the ADB presented at the event. This training event was also sponsored by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

 

The training event aimed to prepare future assessed jurisdictions for their 2nd round of EOIR peer reviews (with a special focus on Beneficial Ownership standard), and to train and raise participants’ awareness about the requirements and challenges related to the implementation of the AEOI Standard. The event combined group activities/case studies and theoretical presentations on these topics.

 

 

The first half of the event focused on the 2016 Terms of Reference (TOR) and Methodology for the 2nd round EOIR peer reviews, including the availability of information, access powers, exchange of information in practice, assessment criteria, and how to prepare for the EOIR peer reviews. There was a particular focus on how jurisdictions may meet the standards on the availability and access to beneficial ownership information. It was considered a valuable learning opportunity for jurisdictions preparing for their own peer reviews.

 

The second half of the event was dedicated to the AEOI Standard, focusing on the building blocks for its implementation; the detailed requirements of the Common Reporting Standard (CRS); the effective use of the CRS data; the ongoing work of the Global Forum to put in place peer reviews on the implementation of the AEOI Standard; and an overview of the confidentiality and data safeguarding requirements of AEOI. Through theoretical presentations on the AEOI Standard and interactive discussions (including case studies) with participants, this part of the event aimed at helping jurisdictions that have not yet committed to AEOI prepare the implementation of the AEOI Standard.

 

This event is part of a broader effort of the Global Forum to support its member jurisdictions in effectively implementing the international standards on transparency and exchange of information, and ensuring that exchanges between members’ tax authorities are efficient and of high quality.

 

Any questions about this training event should be sent to [email protected].