The Sharing and Gig Economy
The sharing and gig economy, facilitated by online platforms, is an area which many tax administrations recognise can have a positive effect on global economies, by expanding economic activity, as well as potentially leading to greater transparency as once traditional informal cash economy activities become digitised. It also has its own unique challenges such as a lack of self-reporting or a lack of visibility as a result of a shift from traditional contract based employment which is often subject to direct reporting by employers and withholding.
In 2017 FTA members agreed to work collaboratively together exploring approaches to ensure the effective taxation of those earning income from the sale of goods or services in the sharing and gig economy. The FTA report Sharing and Gig Economy: Effective Taxation of Platform Sellers was published in March 2019 and considered the different ways that tax administrations can best engage with platform sellers, sharing and gig economy platforms, and each other to enable more effective tax compliance.
Two recommendations made in that report have been taken forward in July 2020. Model Reporting Rules have been published that require platforms to collect certain information and report this to tax administrations; and a Code of Conduct for platforms has been developed and published to promote voluntary compliance with tax obligations and support reporting under the Model Rules.
Reading material
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Sharing and Gig Economy: Effective Taxation of Platform Sellers Published 28 March 2019 The report explores the role of online platforms in the sharing and gig economy, approaches of FTA members to this market, options FTA members could consider to encourage compliance and recommendations for future work. These recommendations included: joint work between tax administrations and platforms on providing information and support to platform sellers through a Code of Conduct; improving the evidence base to enhance understanding of the tax at risk in relation to platforms; and assisting in the possible development of a legislative model for standardised reporting by sharing and gig economy platforms. |
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Published 3 July 2020 The OECD has developed Model Reporting Rules that require digital platforms to collect information on the income realised by those offering accommodation, transport and personal services through platforms and to report the information to tax administrations. These Model Rules are designed to help taxpayers in being compliant with their tax obligations, as well as to streamline reporting regimes for tax administrations and platform operators alike. |
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Code of Conduct: Co-operation between tax administrations and sharing and gig economy platforms Published 3 July 2020 In addition to the Model Rules, the OECD has developed a Code of Conduct for online platforms. This Code of Conduct sets out some core elements of co-operation between tax administrations and online platforms on providing information and support to sellers on their tax obligations whilst minimising compliance burdens. This Code of Conduct is intended to supplement the Model Rules and promote voluntary compliance with tax obligations, in particular in instances where sellers are not subject to reporting under the Model Rules, for example because the transactions are out of scope or the jurisdiction has not implemented the Model Rules. |
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The Impact of the Growth of the Sharing and Gig Economy on VAT/GST Policy and Administration Published 19 April 2021 This report aims at assisting tax authorities in designing and implementing an effective Value Added Tax/Goods and Services Tax (VAT/GST) policy response to the growth of the sharing and gig economy. It analyses the key features of the sharing and gig economy and its main business models; identifies the associated VAT/GST challenges and opportunities; and presents a wide range of possible measures and approaches to support an effective policy response. This includes detailed guidance on the possible role of digital platforms in facilitating and enhancing VAT/GST compliance in the sharing and gig economy. |
News releases
- 19/04/2021 - Digital platforms have an important role to play in value added tax policy in the sharing and gig economy
- 03/07/2020 - OECD releases global tax reporting framework for digital platforms in the sharing and gig economy
- 28/03/2019 - Leading global tax administrations agree collective actions on tax certainty, co-operation and digital transformation
Documents connexes