South Africa is looking for new ways to increase tax compliance in both South Africa and other African nations, including targeting "aggressive tax schemes" by multinational companies, hiring “tax soldiers”, and investigating the possibility of harmonious tax policies across Africa. On September 20th at the 2010 Africa Tax Conference held in Mpumalanga, South Africa, Oupa Magashula, Tax Commissioner of South Africa, spoke in front of a panel of tax experts and tax department representatives of various African nations on the possible means of ... Read More

UK tax authorities are preparing to launch a new anti-tax evasion campaign that could net as much as GBP 7 billion annually. Speaking at annual Liberal Democratic Party Conference on September 20th Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasurer, announced that the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are about to spend GBP 900 million on a new anti-tax evasion and tax fraud investigation campaign. According to Danny Alexander, if the new initiative will be successful, it could net an approximate tax revenue boost of ... Read More

During his first day of Government office the Phillipine’s newly appointed Finance Secretary, Cesar V. Purisima, laid out a new focus for national fiscal policy, concentrating on fighting tax evasion and loopholes, while allowing the Government adequate fiscal freedom to provide public services. On July 1st Cesar V. Purisima made a public statement revealing his intended direction and focus for the Government’s Finance Department. He explained that a key aspect necessary for an efficient tax system is the removal of tax loopholes ... Read More

Concerns have been raised about the privacy issues surrounding information provided to the Australian Tax Office by tippers and whistleblowers concerning tax evasions. Last week the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) released Community Intelligence - Collecting and Processing Tip-offs, a performance audit of the Australian Tax Office’s (ATO) treatment of tax information provided by anonymous tippers on other taxpayers. The report revealed the ATO’s procedure of indefinitely retaining all information provided by tippers, even if an investigation proves the data to be false ... Read More

The UK Government has released its long-anticipated Emergency Budget, outlining several important changes to the national tax system, including increase to Value Added Tax (VAT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), and a new Bank Tax. On June 22nd the UK's Chancellor George Osborne presented the national Emergency Budget. The new Coalition Government's budget aims to bring the UK out of its current recession, and address the country's growing deficit and cut it to a neutral level. In regards to business taxation, the budget statement ... Read More

The Government of Argentina has announced that it will institute new foreign-exchange regulations in order to fight tax evasion and money laundering, and increase the transparency of the currency market. On June 7th the Central Bank of Argentina (CBA) announced its intention to introduce tighter regulations to the trade of foreign currency. Under the new rules, individuals and businesses purchasing foreign currencies valued in excess of USD 250 000 per calendar year will be required to provide proof of income and corresponding tax ... Read More

The Greek Government has set out to deliver vast improvements to the integrity of its national tax administration department. The efforts have been initiated with the investigations and dismissal of employees suspected of tax evasion, corruption, smuggling, and other illegal activity. On May 25th the Finance Ministry of Greece announced a set of sweeping investigations and terminations into employees suspected of illegal activities. According to a statement released by the Ministry, 20 tax-office directors have already been fired for failing to meet preset ... Read More