03/08/2020 – A new beneficial ownership e-learning course was released today on the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration's website. This course, prepared by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum) and the Global Relations and Development Division of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is intended to help tax officials understand the Global Forum's standards related to beneficial ownership. The course is offered free of charge, and it is open to officials from Tax Administrations and Ministries of Finance.
Beneficial owner refers to the natural person(s) who ultimately owns or controls a customer and/or the natural person on whose behalf a transaction is being conducted. It also includes those persons who exercise ultimate effective control over a legal person or arrangement. Transparency of beneficial owner information is essential to deterring, detecting and disrupting tax evasion and other financial crimes.
This e-learning course covers a variety of important issues related to beneficial ownership. By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the concept of beneficial ownership and the recent developments involving this concept.
- Discuss the policy, legal, regulatory and institutional requirements of ensuring the availability of, and access to, beneficial ownership information.
- Understand the interplay between the FATF and Global Forum standards relating to beneficial ownership information.
With 161 members, the majority of whom are developing countries, the Global Forum has been heavily engaged in providing technical assistance on the beneficial ownership requirements, often with the support of partner organisations including the ADB. This course offers another means to further equip members to comply with the international tax transparency standards. In order to facilitate and maximise the use of this course, French and Spanish versions will be released shortly.
How to register?
- Enter the KSPTA Platform at: www.ksp-ta.org
- Create your account if you don't have one, using your professional email. In the field "Country/Organisation", select your country of residence. You will automatically receive an email asking you to confirm your account. Please check your spam folder. If you have not received the confirmation email, please write to info@KSP-ta.org. Once confirmed, you will receive another email to create your password, automatically or in 1-2 business days. Find step-by-step instructions in our KSP Registration - Quick Guide.
- Register and access the course in the following link: https://ksp-ta.org/#/briefcase/elearning/0B1294FF-B078-1A0F-5FEBDE35007C16A8
The Global Forum is the leading multilateral body mandated to ensure that jurisdictions around the world adhere to and effectively implement both the standard of transparency and exchange of information on request and the standard of automatic exchange of information. These objectives are achieved through a robust monitoring and peer review process. The Global Forum also runs an extensive capacity-building programme to support its members in implementing the standards and help tax authorities make the best use of cross-border information sharing channels.
For more information, visit the GRP's dedicated e-learning page or contact gftaxcooperation@oecd.org or GRP.eLearning@OECD.org.