Harmful Tax Practices

Competitive forces have encouraged countries to make their tax systems more attractive to investors. However, some tax practices are anti-competitive and undermine fair competition and public confidence in tax systems. OECD and non-OECD economies are working together through the Global Forum to address harmful tax practices by improving transparency and establishing effective exchange of information.

What's new

Liechtenstein signs Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the United States

09-Dec-2008

Liechtenstein and the United States have signed a bilateral arrangement for the exchange of information for tax purposes. This is the first such agreement entered into by Liechtenstein.

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.

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.

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.

Germany and Jersey Announce new Tax Information Exchange Agreement

04-Jul-2008

Germany and Jersey have signed a bilateral arrangement for the exchange of information for tax purposes, bringing to 16 the number of such agreements signed since the beginning of 2007 by jurisdictions committed to work with OECD countries.

OECD welcomes new Tax Information Exchange Agreements between Guernsey and Netherlands and Isle of Man and Ireland

25-Apr-2008

Two new bilateral arrangements for the exchange of information for tax purposes, between Guernsey and the Netherlands and between the Isle of Man and Ireland, bring to fourteen the number of such agreements signed since the beginning of 2007 by jurisdictions committed to work with OECD countries.

Germany signs OECD-Council of Europe Convention on Mutual Tax Assistance

18-Apr-2008

Germany has joined 15 other countries in signing the OECD-Council of Europe Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, in a step that will help it to combat cross-border tax evasion more effectively in today’s open global economy.

Tackling Cross-Border Tax Evasion

14-Mar-2008

In this joint press statement Mr. Angel Gurría, OECD Secretary-General and Ms. Kristin Halvorsen, Norwegian Minister of Finance address the issue of cross-border tax evasion.

Fighting Offshore Tax Evasion

26-Feb-2008

Grace Perez-Navarro, deputy-director of OECD’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, addresses harmful tax practices, including tax havens, by improving transparency and establishing effective exchange of information.

Tax disclosures in Germany part of a broader challenge, says OECD Secretary-General

19-Feb-2008

Disclosures concerning alleged widespread tax evasion by German citizens through Liechtenstein highlight a much broader challenge in today's globalised economy: how to respond to countries and territories that seek to profit from tax dodging by residents of other jurisdictions.

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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

Publication

This publication provides comparative data on the laws and practices of 82 countries with respect to transparency and exchange of information in taxation matters.

Tax Co-operation: Towards a Level Playing Field - 2007 Assessment by the Global Forum on Taxation