Global Forum Secretariat launches new toolkit to support voluntary compliance as international co-operation on tax transparency gathers pace

 

25/05/2024 - Launched on 24 May 2024 in a virtual event attended by 138 delegates representing nearly 60 jurisdictions, the Voluntary Disclosure Programme Toolkit: A Model Law and Guidance was developed by the Global Forum Secretariat and is available to tax administrations on demand. The toolkit is designed to assist jurisdictions wishing to use the pre AEOI-exchanges window of opportunity to encourage voluntary compliance.

Representatives from the African Tax Administration Forum and the International Monetary Fund discussed the role of voluntary disclosure programmes (VDPs) in strengthening taxpayer compliance. Experts from Belgium, Brazil, France and Kenya then shared their experiences in implementing VDPs, focusing on programme design, practical implementation, and lessons learned in the process.

The launch of the Toolkit is aligned with the Global Forum Secretariat’s Strategy to unleash the potential of automatic exchange of information for developing countries, which was launched in 2021, as it continues to develop knowledge tools to support the implementation of the Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters (AEOI Standard) in all its dimensions.

The release of the new toolkit follows the publication, in 2021, of the Toolkit for the Implementation of the Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information, which included guidance for jurisdictions considering the implementation of a VDP in anticipation of the first exchanges under the AEOI standard.

The new toolkit includes a model law, accompanied by a detailed explanation of policy choices and practical arrangements to be made when designing a regulatory and organisational framework for implementing a VDP prior to the commencement of automatic exchanges on financial account information held abroad or other developments related to increased tax transparency and exchange of information. It is available in English, and will be translated in French and Spanish shortly.

“There is no one-size-fits-all template for VDPs and, whilst pursuing the same goal of voluntary compliance, the programmes may widely differ in their design and implementation. Therefore, whilst offering this framework document for guidance, the Global Forum Secretariat remains available to assist implementing jurisdictions in the drafting of their domestic VDP legislation tailored for their specific context and needs,” said Zayda Manatta, Head of the Global Forum Secretariat.

» Browse all Global Forum guidances available to tax authorities upon request


The Global Forum is the leading multilateral body mandated to ensure that jurisdictions around the world adhere to and effectively implement both the exchange of information on request standard and the standard of automatic exchange of information. These objectives are achieved through a robust monitoring and peer review process. The Global Forum also runs an extensive capacity-building programme to support its members in implementing the standards and help tax authorities make the best use of cross-border information sharing channels.

The Global Forum capacity-building programme is supported by the following development partners:

For more information, please contact gftaxcooperation@oecd.org.