The Global Forum has launched a website giving an overview of worldwide progress on the implementation of global tax transparency and exchange of information standards.
The Global Forum which has 161 member countries is mandated to ensure that jurisdictions adhere to and effectively implement the standard of transparency and exchange of information on request and the standard of automatic exchange of financial account information. This objective is achieved by carrying out a monitoring and peer review process. The Global Forum also has a technical assistance programme to support efforts by member countries to implement the standards and to support tax authorities in the efficient use of cross-border information-sharing channels.
The website provides an overview of the internal structure of the Global Forum, the Working Groups, the Technical Work undertaken and the technical assistance and capacity building activities.
Exchange of Tax Information
The website summarises the work of the Global Forum in each of its main areas of responsibility. The website sets out explanations of the mechanisms of automatic exchange of information and the exchange of information on request, with copies of relevant OECD publications.
Monitoring Implementation of Standards
The Global Forum is engaged in monitoring the implementation of the international standards on transparency and the exchange of tax information. The website explains the relevance of the peer reviews and provides a link to all the peer review reports published so far.
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
The Global Forum has put together a large scale technical assistance program to help member countries achieve the standards of transparency and tax information exchange. This includes an induction program for new members; the development of tools to assist countries in implementing the standards; regional initiatives; and some specialised assistance tailored to the needs of each jurisdiction. The Global Forum carries out the technical assistance in collaboration with regional and international bodies.
Country Monitoring
The website provides a country monitoring map giving a summary of the position in each country in relation to exchange of information on request, automatic exchange of information and measures resulting from the action plan on base erosion and profit sharing (BEPS).
Resources
The resources section of the website includes all the peer review reports issued; the progress reports to the meetings of G20 leaders and the meetings of G20 finance ministers; other relevant publications and videos; and a compendium of OECD legal instruments.
