21/09/2026 – The Global Forum Secretariat successfully concluded a series of four regional workshops on the 2023 updates to the Common Reporting Standard (the amended CRS) for the automatic exchange of financial account information for tax purposes. Held on 15–18 September 2026, the fourth workshop brought together participants from all world regions. In total, the four events drew 494 participants from 94 jurisdictions, demonstrating strong and sustained collective engagement as jurisdictions prepare for the implementation of the amended CRS.
The CRS, developed in response to a G20 request and approved by the OECD Council in 2014, calls on jurisdictions to obtain information from their financial institutions and automatically exchange that information with other jurisdictions on an annual basis. It sets out the financial account information to be exchanged, the financial institutions required to report, the different types of accounts and taxpayers covered, as well as common due diligence procedures to be followed by financial institutions. The CRS was amended by the OECD in 2023, in collaboration with G20 countries, to help jurisdictions enhance tax transparency by expanding its scope to cover new digital financial products and improve the usability of the exchanged financial account information. The first exchanges under the amended CRS will take place in September 2027.
The workshops offered a detailed overview of the key components required for implementing the amended CRS, including the domestic and international legal frameworks, the new CRS XML Schema, and the principal technical changes to the CRS. They also addressed practical considerations and the key steps jurisdictions could take in preparation for the first exchanges. They concluded with interactive discussions, providing participants with an opportunity to raise questions, share experiences, and discuss implementation challenges.
The Global Forum Secretariat expresses its appreciation for the strong participation and commitment demonstrated throughout the four regional workshops. Their successful completion marks an important milestone in global capacity‑building efforts for the amended CRS. The Secretariat will continue to support jurisdictions through tailored guidance, peer‑learning opportunities and further implementation assistance in the lead-up to, and beyond, the first exchanges under the amended CRS.
About the Global Forum
With over 170 members, the Global Forum is the leading multilateral body mandated to ensure that jurisdictions around the world adhere to and effectively implement the standard on transparency and exchange of information on request (EOIR) and the standards for automatic exchange of information (AEOI), covering financial accounts under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and crypto-asset transactions under the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). These objectives are achieved through robust monitoring and peer review processes. The Global Forum also runs an extensive capacity-building programme to support its members to implement the standards and help tax authorities make the best use of cross-border information sharing channels.
The Global Forum capacity-building programme is supported by the following development partners:
