THE
OECD’s Task Force on Tax and Development has launched the concept of Tax
Inspectors Without Borders – a new initiative to help developing countries
bolster their domestic revenues by making their tax systems fairer and more
effective. Building on that concept, the OECD will establish an independent
foundation, to be up and running by the end of 2013, that will provide
international auditing expertise and advice to help developing countries better
address tax base erosion, including tax evasion and avoidance. The initiative
was championed by Oupa Magashula, Commissioner General of the South Africa
Revenue Service, Nhlanhla Nene, South Africa’s Deputy Finance Minister and
Pascal Saint-Amans, Director the OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and
Administration.
The stakeholders from business, civil society, as well as
OECD and developing country governments attending the Tax and Development Task
Force unanimously welcomed the initiative which fills a gap in the existing
provision of audit assistance. They agreed to work together to launch a
sustainably financed independent organisation to host a Tax Inspectors Without
Borders secretariat by the end of next year. This initiative complements several
efforts by donor agencies, notably USAID, to mobilise expertise.
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