Effective use of Automatic Exchange of information – a role for Tax Inspectors Without Borders

 

26/11/2019 - Today marks an important milestone for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations Development Programme Tax Inspectors Without Borders initiative (TIWB) with the launch of a project on automatic exchange of information (AEOI). The project, which will be co-ordinated with the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes (Global Forum), was unveiled during its 10th Anniversary Meeting in Paris, France.

 

The TIWB initiative is set to launch a number of pilot programmes in support of developing countries' efforts to ensure the effective use of AEOI data. As with current TIWB programmes, this would involve the deployment of country-experts to developing countries. New pilot programmes are already underway in Egypt and Pakistan offered by UK Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs. TIWB will complement the comprehensive package of AEOI technical assistance already offered by the Global Forum.

 

The programmes will utilise the key elements of the TIWB approach to provide a hands-on, learning by doing approach, where experts work side-by-side with the tax officials in the host administration. The new programmes will incorporate hands on support for use of AEOI Data; data analytics, risk assessments, compliance interventions, awareness campaigns, notifications to taxpayers, audit policy, practice and generating tax assessments.

 

Five years on since its launch in Addis Ababa, the OECD/UNDP TIWB initiative is currently exploring opportunities for expansion in other new areas including tax & crime with four pilot programmes underway in Armenia, Colombia, Pakistan and Uganda. Pilot programmes are also expected to be launched in 2020 to support joint audits and tax treaty negotiations.

 

"Pakistan highly values the technical support provided by the Global Forum and TIWB initiative through programmes on exchange of information as well as transfer pricing and tax criminal investigations. Pakistan has exchanged information with 56 countries through automatic exchange of information, however challenges in interpreting and matching data received remain in converting this information into increased revenue collection," said Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue of Pakistan. "We welcome the launch of a new collaboration between TIWB and the Global Forum on Transparency for AEOI pilot programme geared towards ensuring effective use of data," he added.

 

"The technical assistance provided to the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) through the TIWB programme has shaped ETA’s transfer pricing practice. The 'learning by doing' approach embedded at the heart of the TIWB programme contributed to enhancing our tax inspectors skills and day-to-day practice," said Ramy Mohamed, Advisor to the Egyptian Minister of Finance for International Tax and Tax Reforms. "With this success, in 2019 the Egyptian Ministry of Finance and ETA requested the extension of the existing TP programme and a new TIWB programme on exchange of information. We are looking forward to benefit from the UK Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs AEOI experience under the TIWB programme," he added.

 

Discover more about TIWB Programmes: www.tiwb.org/programmes/

 

For more information, please contact secretariat@tiwb.org.