Globalisation is not new, but the pace of integration of national economies has quickened. Liberalisation opens up the door to globalisation, new technologies make it happen. This has implications for tax policy and administration.

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OECD holds Consultation with Business on Comparability and Profit Methods for Transfer Pricing Purposes

19-Nov-2008

On 17-18 November 2008, the OECD held a consultation with business commentators on comparability and profit methods for transfer pricing purposes. The consultation followed the release of two discussion drafts on comparability (May 2006) and transactional profit methods (January 2008) under the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations, both of which attracted very detailed responses from the business community.

New bilateral pacts enlarge network on exchange of information for tax purposes

30-Oct-2008

Some 16 new bilateral agreements on exchange of information for tax purposes signed this week between OECD countries and the British Virgin Islands, Guernsey and Jersey mark an important step forward in efforts to bring greater transparency to cross-border financial transactions. OECD countries have been working with financial centres around the world since 2000 to bring greater transparency and accountability to cross-border transactions.

OECD consults on its project on high net worth individuals

from 29-Oct-2008 to 31-Dec-2008

The OECD invites interested parties to comment on its project on high net worth individuals. The attached discussion paper explores concepts of co-operative compliance and the creation of a framework to encourage high net worth individuals and their advisors to volunteer relevant information. 

Political boost to combat tax haven abuse

22-Oct-2008

The fight against tax fraud and evasion was given renewed political impetus on 21 October 2008 when 17 OECD countries agreed to step up pressure for full implementation of the OECD’s transparency and information exchange standards. The initiative, spearheaded by the French and German governments, called on OECD to review how countries and territories are assessed for full compliance with the exchange of information requirements. Read the Secretary-General’s speech to the ministers attending the conference.

Denmark, Sweden still the highest-tax OECD countries

15-Oct-2008

Denmark is confirmed as the OECD’s highest-tax country, followed by Sweden, while Mexico and Turkey remain the lowest-taxing countries, according to figures in the latest edition of the OECD’s annual Revenue Statistics publication.

Isle of Man signs tax information pact with United Kingdom

29-Sep-2008

The Isle of Man and the United Kingdom announced that they have signed a bilateral agreement for the exchange of information for tax purposes, bringing to 11 the number of such agreements entered into by the Isle of Man.

Financial centres become more transparent, but information exchange remains a problem for some

30-Sep-2008

Advances are being achieved in bringing greater transparency to financial centres around the world, but progress on exchange of information on tax issues is more limited, according to OECD’s latest report on its drive to bring more fairness to cross-border tax co-operation.

Tax Executive Celebrates OECD Model Tax Convention

23-Sep-2008

On the occasion of the 8-9 September 2008 OECD Conference marking the 50th Anniversary of the OECD Model Tax Convention, Peter A. Barnes, Tax Counsel - International with General Electric Company of Fairfield, Connecticut in the United States, explained the great importance of the Model from the perspective of international business. His article appears in the OECD Observer.

Discussion Draft on the Transfer Pricing Aspects of Business Restructurings

19-Sep-2008

On 19 September 2008, the Committee on Fiscal Affairs released for public comment a discussion draft on the transfer pricing aspects of business restructurings. Comments should be sent before 19 February 2009 to Jeffrey Owens, Director, CTPA (jeffrey.owens@oecd.org).

The OECD pursues dialogue with the business community on comparability and profit methods for transfer pricing purposes

17-Sep-2008

A consultation will be held on 17 and 18 November 2008 with the organisations that provided written comments on the May 2006 discussion draft on comparability and the January 2008 discussion draft on transactional profit methods. The discussion drafts related to the OECD’s Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations. See draft agenda for the consultation.

Conference on the 50th Anniversary of the OECD Model Tax Convention, remarks by Angel Gurría

08-Sep-2008

In his remarks, Angel Gurría underlined that throughout these five decades, the OECD Model Tax Convention has established itself as the means of settling the most common problems that arise in the field of international taxation on a uniform basis.

Pretoria Communiqué: International Conference on Taxation, State Building and Capacity Development in Africa

01-Sep-2008

Commissioners and Senior Tax Administrators and Policy Makers from 39 countries, together with representatives from bilateral and multilateral organizations active in Africa on tax issues, met in Pretoria, South Africa on 28 – 29 August 2008. Read the Pretoria Communiqué (also available in French and Portuguese).

The OECD approves the 2008 Update to the Model Tax Convention

18-Jul-2008

On 17 July 2008, the OECD Council approved the contents of the 2008 Update to the OECD Model Tax Convention.  The update had previously been released as a public discussion draft in April 2008.  It was subsequently finalised and approved by the Committee on Fiscal Affairs on 25 June, when the Committee also approved a detailed response to the comments that had been sent on the discussion draft.

OECD provides Update on Work on Treaty Relief for Collective Investment Vehicles and other Portfolio Investors

18-Jul-2008

An Informal Consultative Group of business and government representatives continues its work on improving procedures for claiming treaty benefits, while protecting the compliance interests of governments. This update reflects progress made in the past year on technical issues relating to granting treaty benefits with respect to income of collective investment vehicles, as well as procedural issues that affect portfolio investors more generally. The final report of the Group is expected to be presented to the Committee on Fiscal Affairs in January 2009.

OECD releases final Report on the Attribution of Profits to Permanent Establishments

18-Jul-2008

On 17 July 2008, the OECD Council approved the release of the final Report on the Attribution of Profits to Permanent Establishments.  An interim version of Parts I-III of the Report had previously been released in December 2006, and a discussion draft version of Part IV was released in August 2007. The Report was subsequently finalised and approved by the Committee on Fiscal Affairs on 24 June 2008.

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Publication

In addition to the countries reported on in 2007, this report includes information on Chile, bringing to 83 the number of countries covered.

Tax Co-operation: Towards a Level Playing Field - 2008 Assessment by the Global Forum on Taxation

2008 Edition of Revenue Statistics. Special feature: The balance between direct and indirect taxation

Revenue Statistics 1965-2007, 2008 Edition

www.itdweb.org

A joint initiative by the OECD, IMF and World Bank to facilitate discussion on tax matters

International Tax Dialogue