Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes Peer Reviews: South Africa 2013 [electronic resource]: Combined: Phase 1 + Phase 2, incorporating Phase 2 ratings /
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
OECD iLibrary.
Paris : OECD Publishing,
2013.
This report includes revised Phase 1 and Phase 2 reviews of South Africa, now updated with ratings. The Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes is the multilateral framework within which work in the area of tax transparency and exchange of information is carried out by 120 jurisdictions, which participate in the Global Forum on an equal footing. The Global Forum is charged with in-depth monitoring and peer review of the implementation of the international standards of transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes. These standards are primarily reflected in the 2002 OECD Model Agreement on Exchange of Information on Tax Matters and its commentary, and in Article 26 of the OECD Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital and its commentary as updated in 2004. The standards have also been incorporated into the UN Model Tax Convention. The standards provide for international exchange on request of foreseeably relevant information for the administration or enforcement of the domestic tax laws of a requesting party. Fishing expeditions are not authorised but all foreseeably relevant information must be provided, including bank information and information held by fiduciaries, regardless of the existence of a domestic tax interest or the application of a dual criminality standard. All members of the Global Forum, as well as jurisdictions identified by the Global Forum as relevant to its work, are being reviewed. This process is undertaken in two phases. Phase 1 reviews assess the quality of a jurisdiction’s legal and regulatory framework for the exchange of information, while Phase 2 reviews look at the practical implementation of that framework. Some Global Forum members are undergoing combined – Phase 1 and Phase 2 – reviews. The Global Forum has also put in place a process for supplementary reports to follow-up on recommendations, as well as for the ongoing monitoring of jurisdictions following the conclusion of a review. The ultimate goal is to help jurisdictions to effectively implement the international standards of transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes. All review reports are published once approved by the Global Forum and they thus represent agreed Global Forum reports.
Table of Contents; About the Global Forum; Executive Summary; Introduction; Information and methodology used for the peer review of South Africa; Overview of South Africa; Recent developments; Compliance with the Standards; A. Availability of Information; Overview; A.1. Ownership and identity information; A.2. Accounting records; A.3. Banking information; B. Access to Information; Overview; B.1. Competent Authority's ability to obtain and provide information; B.2. Notification requirements and rights and safeguards; C. Exchanging Information; Overview; C.1. Exchange of information mechanisms
C.2. Exchange of information mechanisms with all relevant partnersC.3. Confidentiality; C.4. Rights and safeguards of taxpayers and third parties; C.5. Timeliness of responses to requests for information; Summary of Determinations and Factors Underlying Recommendations; Annex 1: Jurisdiction's Response to the Review Report; Annex 2: List of Exchange-of-Information Mechanisms; Annex 3: List of All Laws, Regulations and Other Material Consulted; Annex 4: People Interviewed During On-Site Visit
"November 2013 (reflecting the legal and regulatory framework as at June 2012)."
"This work is published on the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD"--T.p. verso.
OECD code: 23 2013 64 1 P.
Includes bibliographical references.
This report includes revised Phase 1 and Phase 2 reviews of South Africa, now updated with ratings. The Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes is the multilateral framework within which work in the area of tax transparency and exchange of information is carried out by 120 jurisdictions, which participate in the Global Forum on an equal footing. The Global Forum is charged with in-depth monitoring and peer review of the implementation of the international standards of transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes. These standards are primarily reflected in the 2002 OECD Model Agreement on Exchange of Information on Tax Matters and its commentary, and in Article 26 of the OECD Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital and its commentary as updated in 2004. The standards have also been incorporated into the UN Model Tax Convention. The standards provide for international exchange on request of foreseeably relevant information for the administration or enforcement of the domestic tax laws of a requesting party. Fishing expeditions are not authorised but all foreseeably relevant information must be provided, including bank information and information held by fiduciaries, regardless of the existence of a domestic tax interest or the application of a dual criminality standard. All members of the Global Forum, as well as jurisdictions identified by the Global Forum as relevant to its work, are being reviewed. This process is undertaken in two phases. Phase 1 reviews assess the quality of a jurisdiction’s legal and regulatory framework for the exchange of information, while Phase 2 reviews look at the practical implementation of that framework. Some Global Forum members are undergoing combined – Phase 1 and Phase 2 – reviews. The Global Forum has also put in place a process for supplementary reports to follow-up on recommendations, as well as for the ongoing monitoring of jurisdictions following the conclusion of a review. The ultimate goal is to help jurisdictions to effectively implement the international standards of transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes. All review reports are published once approved by the Global Forum and they thus represent agreed Global Forum reports.
Taxation
Taxation
Transparency in government