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BEPS Intent Welcome but Should not Dominate Tax Reform Process
19 April 2015: The Tax Institute welcomes the Treasurer’s announcement today of a joint working group between Australia and the United Kingdom regarding Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) but questions the timing of additional tax announcements separate from the tax white paper process.
Stephen Healey, President of The Tax Institute, said “At this stage, it is only the UK and Australia that appear to be pushing the diverted profits tax agenda.
While bilateral action is preferable to unilateral action, The Tax Institute queries whether this is consistent with the required global response around the broader BEPs agenda. The value of this working group will depend on other G20 members taking up the invitation to join in the discussion.
“BEPS is a complex global issue and The Tax Institute has long advocated for international cooperation not merely unilateral change.
“The Institute supports considered measures to address tax integrity, and such an approach is critical in the highly politicised area of international tax.
“However, this announcement, along with others in recent days such as the proposed charging of GST on digital downloads, continue to undermine the integrity of the tax white paper process and the national debate that the white paper process should engender.
“The white paper process is fundamental to the future of the Australian economy and holistic action is required, not more tinkering around the edges of real reform,” he said.
ENDS
Contact:
Noel Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, The Tax Institute: 02 8223 0001
Dylan Malloch, Sefiani Communications Group: 0407 620 613
The Tax Institute is the country’s leading educator and professional association in tax. Its 15,000 members include tax agents, accountants and lawyers as well as tax practitioners in corporations, government and academia. The Tax Institute supports the tax profession through education and professional development and works to continually improve tax law and its administration.
The Tax Institute is Australia's leading professional association and educator in tax providing the best resources, professional development and networks.