THE International
Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD), the United Nations (UN) and the World Bank Group (WBG) announced
yesterday the details of their joint effort to intensify their co-operation
on tax issues: the Platform for Collaboration on Tax. The Platform will
not only formalise regular discussions between the four international organisations
on the design and implementation of standards for international tax matters,
it will strengthen their capacity-building support, deliver jointly developed
guidance, and share information on operational and knowledge activities.
This effort comes at a time of great momentum around international tax issues,
and was welcomed by the G20 finance ministers at their February meeting in
Shanghai. Amid the growing importance of taxation in the debate to achieve
the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a major aim of the Platform
is to better frame technical advice to developing countries as they seek
both more capacity support and greater influence in designing international
rules.
Among the Platform’s first tasks will be to deliver a number of 'toolkits'
designed to help developing countries implement the measures developed under
the G20/OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project and on other international
tax issues. The first of these toolkits, focusing on tax incentives, was
delivered in November. There will be an important link to the new BEPS implementation
framework. Platform members will hold regular meetings with representatives
of developing countries, regional tax organisations, banks and donors. Consultations
with business and civil society will be organised as needed.
More information about the Platform for Collaboration on Tax is provided
in the "Concept
Note", jointly developed by the four international organisations.
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