Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes

How the Global Forum operates

In order to ensure the effective implementation of the international standards in transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes, the Global Forum conducts rigorous peer reviews, issuing recommendations where issues are identified, and provides technical assistance to support its members in implementing the standards.

Working groups

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Technical work

The Global Forum created the Peer Review Group (PRG) and the Automatic Exchange of Information Peer Review Group (APRG) to take forward its technical work to ensure the effective implementation of its standards. The main work of the PRG and the APRG is to oversee the peer reviews in relation to the tax transparency standards.

EOIR Standard review process

The review process consists of assessment teams (which include two assessors from member jurisdictions supported by the Secretariat) conducting a detailed review of the legal framework each jurisdiction has in place to facilitate EOIR as well the effectiveness of the operation of the EOIR standard in practice. This includes the analysis of input from each jurisdiction’s exchange partners and information obtained during an on-site visit. The assessment team then prepares a report including recommendations with respect to areas requiring improvement. The report is submitted to the PRG for approval, where the assessment team and the assessed jurisdiction can present their positions, and, once approved, the report is submitted to the Global Forum for adoption.

» Access all peer review reports

 

AEOI Standard review process

The Global Forum has conducted both the AEOI legal frameworks assessments and initial effectiveness reviews. This process has consisted of the Secretariat conducting the analysis, proposing recommendations where any gaps are identified, before the analysis is shared with all jurisdictions implementing the AEOI Standard for comment. The analysis is then submitted to the AEOI Group for approval before being submitted to all jurisdictions implementing the AEOI Standard for endorsement. The Global Forum has moved to a further round of peer reviews (2023-ongoing) ensuring that jurisdictions implement the AEOI Standard effectively on a level-playing field.

The Global Forum also reviews the confidentiality and data safeguards standards in place in each jurisdiction with a particular focus on the policies and systems in place. It has conducted pre-exchange assessments of all jurisdictions to provide comfort for exchanges to commence and has commenced post-exchange reviews to assess the policies and systems in practice. The reviews have been conducted by a group of experts (including legal, operational and cybersecurity experts) from member jurisdictions, supported by the Secretariat. Where issues are identified then exchange partners are no longer expected to send information to the jurisdiction concerned until the issues are successfully addressed. 

» Access latest peer review report

How we provide assistance

Capacity building and technical assistance activities

The technical assistance activities provided by the Global Forum Secretariat and its partners are varied, targeted and adapted to the needs of each member. They mainly consist of:

  • skills support activities, which build the skills of tax administration focusing on the needs of a particular jurisdiction and covering legislative, organisational and administrative assistance;

  • peer-to-peer learning between tax administrations, which takes the form of regional training seminars and competent authority meetings, focusing on issues such as awareness, auditor knowledge-building and putting in place effective exchange of information systems and procedures;

  • developing tools, which support members’ implementation of the international standards, such as practical guidelines and work manuals; and

  • supporting the effective use of the information exchanged to tackle tax evasion and other illicit financial flows and secure revenue, including through national and regional seminars and bespoke support on the effective use of the information received.

» Access our guidance material, e-learning courses and virtual classes

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