Professional Documents
Culture Documents
International Exchange of Information in Tax Matters Towards Global Transparency 3Rd Edition Oberson Online Ebook Texxtbook Full Chapter PDF
International Exchange of Information in Tax Matters Towards Global Transparency 3Rd Edition Oberson Online Ebook Texxtbook Full Chapter PDF
https://ebookmeta.com/product/international-commercial-tax-
cambridge-tax-law-series-2nd-edition-peter-harris/
https://ebookmeta.com/product/international-business-themes-and-
issues-in-the-modern-global-economy-3rd-3rd-edition-colin-turner/
https://ebookmeta.com/product/international-organization-and-
global-governance-3rd-3rd-edition-thomas-g-weiss/
https://ebookmeta.com/product/pro-exchange-administration-
understanding-on-premises-and-hybrid-exchange-deployments-3rd-
edition-jaap-wesselius/
Towards Industry 4 0 Current Challenges in Information
Systems 1st Edition Marcin Hernes
https://ebookmeta.com/product/towards-industry-4-0-current-
challenges-in-information-systems-1st-edition-marcin-hernes/
https://ebookmeta.com/product/towards-convergence-in-
international-human-rights-law-approaches-of-regional-and-
international-systems-1st-edition-carla-m-buckley/
https://ebookmeta.com/product/tax-justice-and-tax-law-
understanding-unfairness-in-tax-systems-1st-edition-dominic-de-
cogan/
https://ebookmeta.com/product/the-united-nations-in-global-tax-
coordination-hidden-history-and-politics-1st-edition-nikki-j-teo/
https://ebookmeta.com/product/exploring-the-roots-of-systematic-
tax-avoidance-in-greece-business-the-tax-system-and-tax-
conscience-1955-2008-1st-edition-zoi-pittaki/
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF
INFORMATION IN TAX MATTERS
ELGAR TAX LAW AND PRACTICE
The Elgar Tax Law and Practice series is a library of works by leading practitioners and
scholars covering discrete areas of law in the field of Taxation. The titles in the series
are analytical in approach, highlighting and unpicking the legal issues that are most
critical and relevant to practice. Designed to be detailed, focused reference works, the
books in this series aim to offer an authoritative statement on the law and practice in
key topics within the field, such as Value Added Tax, Exchange of Information, and
International Tax Treaties.
Titles in the series include:
Judicial Interpretation of Tax Treaties
The Use of the OECD Commentary
Carlo Garbarino
A Guide to the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive
Edited by Werner Haslehner, Katerina Pantazatou, Georg Kofler and Alexander Rust
EU Value Added Tax Law
KPE Lasok KC
EU Tax Disclosure Rules
Mandatory Reporting of Cross-border Transactions for Taxpayers and Intermediaries
Florian Haase
Beneficial Ownership in International Taxation
Błażej Kuźniacki
International Exchange of Information in Tax Matters
Towards Global Transparency, Third Edition
Xavier Oberson
INTERNATIONAL
EXCHANGE OF
INFORMATION IN TAX
MATTERS
Towards Global Transparency
THIRD EDITION
XAVIER OBERSON
Professor of Law, University of Geneva, Switzerland
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the
prior permission of the publisher.
Published by
Edward Elgar Publishing Limited
The Lypiatts
15 Lansdown Road
Cheltenham
Glos GL50 2JA
UK
Extended contentsvi
List of abbreviationsxv
Table of casesxviii
Table of legislationxxi
8 The EU Directives 95
12 Automatic exchange of information (AEOI): the OECD Common Reporting Standard 207
14 The impact of the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Programme 236
General bibliography350
Index365
v
EXTENDED CONTENTS
List of abbreviationsxv
Table of casesxviii
Table of legislationxxi
vi
EXTENDED CONTENTS
vii
EXTENDED CONTENTS
8 THE EU DIRECTIVES
I. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 8.001
II. THE MUTUAL ASSISTANCE DIRECTIVE 8.004
III. THE SAVINGS DIRECTIVE 8.006
A. Introduction: Historical Developments 8.006
B. Main Content and Functioning of the Directive 8.017
1. Essential features 8.017
2. Beneficial owner 8.019
3. Paying agent 8.023
4. Interest payment 8.027
C. Automatic Exchange of Information 8.030
D. The Transitional Withholding Tax Mechanism 8.035
1. The system 8.035
2. End of the transitional period 8.039
E. Agreements with Third Countries 8.041
1. In general 8.041
F. A Concrete Example: The EU–Swiss Agreement on the Taxation of Savings 8.045
1. Background 8.045
2. Main features of the Savings Agreement 8.048
3. The retention of interest 8.053
i) Interest 8.057
ii) Paying agent 8.063
iii) Interest paid to a resident of an EU Member State 8.065
iv) The individual is the beneficial owner 8.067
4. Basis of retention 8.075
5. Elimination of double taxation and revenue sharing 8.076
6. Exchange of information 8.078
viii
EXTENDED CONTENTS
i) Overview 8.078
ii) Tax fraud and the like 8.082
7. Extension of rules comparable to the EU Parent Subsidiary and EU Interest
and Royalty Directives 8.085
G. Assessment and Repeal of the Directive 8.094
IV. THE DIRECTIVE ON ADMINISTRATIVE COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF TAXATION 8.099
A. The Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC) of 2011 8.099
1. Introduction 8.099
2. Scope 8.103
3. Organization 8.107
4. Forms of administrative assistance 8.108
5. Exchange of information upon request 8.110
6. Spontaneous exchange of information 8.115
7. Automatic exchange of information 8.119
8. Other forms of assistance 8.126
9. Secrecy clause 8.133
10. Limits 8.135
11. Legal protection of taxpayers 8.140
12. Most favoured nation clause 8.141
13. Coordination 8.143
B. The Introduction of Automatic Exchange of Information on Financial Accounts in
the DAC (DAC 2) 8.147
1. Introduction 8.147
2. Main content 8.148
C. Automatic Exchange of Tax Rulings under the DAC (DAC 3) 8.149
D. Automatic Exchange of Country-by-Country Reports in the DAC (so-called DAC 4) 8.150
E. Access by Tax Authorities to Beneficial Ownership Information (so-called DAC 5) 8.151
F. Automatic Exchange of Information on Reportable Cross-border Arrangements
(so-called DAC 6) 8.152
G. Reporting Obligations on Platform Operators (DAC 7) 8.153
V. THE DIRECTIVE ON PUBLIC COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY REPORTING 8.154
VI. THE DIRECTIVE CONCERNING MUTUAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE RECOVERY OF CLAIMS 8.155
A. Introduction 8.155
B. Scope 8.160
C. Organization 8.164
D. Forms of Assistance 8.165
1. Exchange of information 8.166
2. Assistance for the notification of documents 8.169
3. Assistance for recovery 8.171
i) The request 8.171
ii) The execution of the request 8.172
4. Precautionary measures 8.173
E. Disputes 8.175
F. Limits 8.178
G. Secrecy Rules 8.182
H. Coordination 8.183
VII. ADMINISTRATIVE COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF INDIRECT TAXES 8.184
A. Introduction 8.184
B. Intra-Community Trade Statistical Information System 8.186
C. Regulation on the Administrative Cooperation and Combating Fraud in the Field
of VAT 8.188
1. Historical developments 8.188
2. Scope 8.196
i) Purpose 8.196
ii) Competent authorities 8.198
3. Forms of assistance 8.201
ix
EXTENDED CONTENTS
x
EXTENDED CONTENTS
xi
EXTENDED CONTENTS
xii
EXTENDED CONTENTS
xiii
EXTENDED CONTENTS
General bibliography350
Index365
xiv
ABBREVIATIONS
xv
ABBREVIATIONS
xvi
ABBREVIATIONS
xvii
TABLE OF CASES
INTERNATIONAL
Engel and Others v the Netherlands, Nos 5100/71; 5101/71; 5102/71; 5354/72;
5370/72, 8 June 197617.064
Ferrazzini v Italy, No. 44759/98, ECHR 2001 VII, 12 July 200117.063,
17.125
F.S. v Germany, No. 30128/96, 27 November 199617.059
G.S.B v Suisse, No. 28601/11, 22 December 2015 4.26, 17.060, 17.147
J.B. v Switzerland, No. 31827/96, 3 May 200117.064
L.B. v Hungary, No. 36345/1612, January 202117.061
Michaud v France, No. 12323/11, 6 December 201217.058
N.K.M. v Hungary, No. 66529/11, 14 May 2013 17.055, 17.056
Ravon and Others v France, No. 1849/03, 21 February 200817.064
Satakunnan Markkinapörssi Oy and Satamedia Oy v Finland, No. 931/13, 27
June 201717.061
xviii
TABLE OF CASES
NATIONAL
Germany
Switzerland
xix
TABLE OF CASES
United States
Aloe Vera, District Court for the District of Arizona, 11 February 20153.055
Florida Bankers Association et al. v United States Department of Treasury et al.,
District Court of Columbia, Civil Action n. 13.52910.47
xx
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxi
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxii
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxiii
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
Article 26 2.16, 3.002, 3.029, OECD Model Double Taxation Convention
3.034, 3.037, 3.041, 3.043, 2017 (DTC)
3.063, 3.067, 3.076–3.078, Article 22
3.093, 3.096, 4.05, 5.07, 5.10, para 914.091
6.02, 6.05, 6.06, 6.09, 6.29, OECD Model Protocol for the purpose
8.111, 8.114, 8.144, 8.166, of Allowing the Automatic and
9.01, 11.02, 11.09, 11.32, Spontaneous Exchange of Information
11.39, 12.11, 13.16, 13.20, under a TIEA 2015 6.24, 7.03
17.001, 17.012, 17.027, 17.031, OECD Model Tax Information Exchange
17.050–17.051, 17.106, 17.141 Agreement 2002 (TIEA Model)2.09,
para 13.013, 2.10, 3.007–3.008, 3.086, 3.091,
3.015–3.016, 3.022, 3.032, 3.095, 3.104, 6.03–6.07, 6.10–6.41,
3.043, 3.059, 3.062, 3.069, 8.039, 8.101, 11.10, 17.016, 17.030,
7.12, 8.103, 8.136, 17.018 17.039, 17.044, 17.046
para 23.045–3.046, Article 1 6.14, 6.17, 6.40
3.048, 3.053–3.054, 3.069, Article 26.16
3.078–3.079, 3.088, 6.23, Article 36.15
8.134, 11.64, 14.036, Article 4
14.043, 17.021–17.022, para 16.11
17.027, 17.048, 17.124, Article 5 3.105, 11.10
17.141 para 16.17
para 3 3.069–3.070, 3.081, para 26.18
3.084–3.085, 3.088, 3.090, para 36.41
3.092–3.094, 3.099, 5.22, para 4 3.101, 6.11, 6.19, 6.20, 6.31
6.23, 8.139, 8.230, 14.048, para 5 3.030, 6.21, 6.22, 8.136
17.015, 17.043–17.045, Article 5A6.25
17.050 Article 5B6.25
para 4 3.056, 17.124 Article 6
para 5 2.21, 3.021, para 16.26
3.069, 3.093, 3.094–3.099, Article 7
7.27, 8.137, 8.230, 17.044 para 1 6.30, 6.41
Article 27 5.05, 5.06, 5.07, 5.09, 5.18, para 26.31
7.34, 8.158, 8.183 para 3 6.11, 6.32, 6.40
para 15.06 para 46.33
para 2 5.07, 5.09, 5.13, 7.35 para 66.35
para 3 5.11, 5.14–5.15 Article 8 6.28, 6.29, 17.021, 17.030,
para 4 5.11, 5.16 17.041
para 55.18–5.19 OECD Tax Information Exchange
para 65.20 Agreement 20091.06
para 75.21 Protocol, Switzerland–United States Income
para 85.22 Tax Treaty4.32
Article 28 Protocol, 31 March 2010 (Protocol 10)4.24,
para 17.37 4.31, 7.36, 7.38, 7.43
para 57.36 Article 28
para 77.43 para 67.39
Article 30 7.40, 7.44 para 77.39
para 1 7.40, 7.43 Protocol to the French/Swiss DTT
para 2 7.40, 7.44 Article IX para 23.040
xxiv
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxv
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxvi
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxvii
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxviii
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxix
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxx
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxxi
TABLE OF LEGISLATION
xxxii
1
INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL
EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN TAX
MATTERS
The power to levy taxes is one of the key features of the Sovereignty of States. 1.01
At the beginning, taxes were levied on a territorial basis, focusing on the place
of situation of the assets or the location of transfers of goods. Later, with the
development of industrial States and the need to finance global infrastructures
and social services, modern States tended to move towards more global systems
of taxation, notably on worldwide income tax. This major development led to
a need to combat double international taxation (with rules such as exemption
or credit methods) and, as a consequence, exchange of information. Indeed,
in order to ensure a fair international level of tax, each State has to be able to
verify the global position of any relevant taxpayer.
In fact, the need for international agreement in tax matters is the result of 1.04
a conflict, based on international public law, between the principle of univer-
sality in taxation, on the one hand, and the principle of territoriality for the
implementation of the tax rules, on the other hand.1 Indeed, it is generally
1
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN TAX MATTERS
recognized that States have the right to tax persons (individual or entities)
globally (universally), so long as there is a personal connection with that State
(universality). By contrast, States are usually locked inside their territory in
order to implement or enforce their tax rules. States therefore need interna-
tional treaties, bilateral or multilateral, to solve this conflict and, in particular,
to obtain information or collection measures to ensure fair and global taxation
of their taxpayers.
1.05 While the trend towards exchange of information in tax matters started a long
time ago, namely during the work of the League of Nations in 1919, it really
developed globally after the publication of the various OECD Models of
double taxation convention, as of 1963, and took another impetus following the
publication, in 1998, of the OECD Report against harmful tax competition.
1.06 Following the financial crisis of 2008, in the ‘big bang’ of 2009, a major accel-
eration of the movement took place. This led to the renegotiation of hundreds
of double taxation conventions based on the OECD Model Double Taxation
Convention (DTC) around the world and the signature of tax exchange of
information agreements (TIEA) with tax haven countries in an unprecedented
way. With the enactment of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
(FATCA) in 2010, the United States was pushing towards a global standard;
it succeeded in designing a system which is now adopted around the world,
notably through the mechanism of the intergovernmental agreements.
1.07 Countries started to exchange information around the world, to a degree never
before seen. In 2013, a further step was taken: global consensus towards the
automatic exchange of information as the new global standard. In 2014, the
Common Reporting Standard (CRS) was published. Participating jurisdic-
tions began to implement the CRS through international legal instruments
(multilateral or bilateral treaties). In 2017 the first automatic exchange of
financial account information following the CRS took place between ‘early
adopters’, and notably EU States. In parallel, in 2013, following a mandate of
the G20, the OECD agreed on a plan against Base Erosion and Profit Shifting
(so-called BEPS Programme), addressing, notably, double non-taxation,
tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning among multinational companies.
The BEPS Programme entails 15 actions, which were published in 2015.
Among those, actions 5, 12 and 13 developed rules designed to implement
a spontaneous exchange of information on rulings, mandatory disclosure
rules and country-by-country reporting, which has further enhanced global
transparency. In order to implement tax treaty rules following from the BEPS
Programme, a Multilateral Instrument has further been developed (so-called
2
INTRODUCTION
MLI). It entered into force on 1 July 2018. The MLI also entails additional
rules for international dispute resolutions in the area of mutual agreement
procedures (MAP) and extended arbitration rules.
Action 1 of the BEPS Programme focuses on the taxation of the digital 1.08
economy. Despite a final report in 2015 and an interim report in 2018,
a global consensus on the taxation of multinational enterprises active in the
digital sector has been difficult to reach. However, in January 2019 the OECD
suggested the so-called two pillars solution. The negotiations continued and it
was agreed that the scope of application of those rules would eventually target
not only the digital economy, but more generally multinational entities of
a certain size of turnover. The OECD Inclusive Framework finally approved
this solution on 1 July and 8 October 2021. Pillar 1 introduced a formula
apportionment method of taxing profits of multinational companies with
a revenue exceeding 20 billion euros (and profitability of 10 per cent), which
offers more taxing rights to the market countries. Pillar 2, by contrast, pro-
vides for a minimum effective profit tax rate of 15 per cent for multinational
entities with a revenue exceeding 750 million euros. Pillar 2 is accompanied by
complex rules of recapture in favour of jurisdictions, applying the minimum
profit tax rate, in order to tax the ‘top-up tax’ of group entities with a taxable
presence in a lower tax country. Both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 will require extensive
exchange of information rules between participating countries.
The purpose of this book is therefore to describe the main developments in 1.10
the area of exchange of information in tax matters, the various existing instru-
ments, their interaction and the positions of the persons involved during the
process.
We will thus start by describing the historical development towards a mech- 1.11
anism of global exchange of information in tax matters. Then, we will focus
3
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN TAX MATTERS
1.12 The development of the digital economy, with the widespread use of new
types of intermediaries, has led to the development of new rules of exchange
of information as a consequence of the development of the sharing economy,
with new business models such as Uber, eBay, Airbnb, and the like. In this
context, both the OECD and the EU have developed new rules to expand
information reporting to digital platforms. The need for new reporting obli-
gations has also been recognized in the area of crypto-assets and e-money.
Recently, the OECD has drafted new models of information reporting for
crypto-assets service providers. The EU is also considering the implementa-
tion of comparable rules. We will therefore analyse in more detail the new
exchange of information obligations targeting platforms and crypto-assets
service providers.
4
2
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF
INFORMATION RULES
I. FIRST MODELS
It appears that the first exchange of information rules took place in the 2.01
framework of double taxation treaties concluded between Belgium and France
(1843) and between Belgium and the Netherlands (1845).1
The starting point of a model providing for the obligation to exchange infor- 2.02
mation under a bilateral convention can be traced back to the works of the
League of Nations.2 Indeed, in 1927, the League’s Committee of Technical
Experts on Double Taxation and Tax Evasions issued a general report that
presented four separate model tax conventions.3
One year later, the Committee and experts published the 1928 model double 2.03
taxation treaty that would form the basis of bilateral treaties, which, alongside
the work of the OECD that followed, would form the basic structure of the
international tax regime.4 As Dean has demonstrated, the fate of the four
models presented by the League of Nations would however be quite different.5
5
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN TAX MATTERS
Indeed, the model designed to combat double taxation would clearly prevail
over the others. Later on, the League of Nations issued two model tax treaties,
the so-called Mexico drafts in 1943 and the London drafts in 1946, which
included a model double taxation treaty and a model for the establishment of
reciprocal administrative assistance in the field of taxation.6 The two distinct
drafts would eventually be combined into a single model treaty.7
2.05 At this stage, some countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and
Switzerland, were more in favour of granting a restricted exchange of informa-
tion in tax matters. For instance, Switzerland, under the so-called traditional
approach, would only accept a treaty with a minor exchange of information
clause, limited to the information necessary to carry out the provisions of the
treaty.8 Therefore, Switzerland would not grant exchange of information about
a taxpayer, resident in the requesting State, who did not claim any benefit from
an applicable DTT, typically in order to obtain reduced tax at source from
Swiss source dividends, interests or royalties.
2.06 In 1979 in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe and the OECD issued
a Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax
Matters (CMAAT), which was approved in 1987. It was open to signature
first for OECD Members in 1988 and entered into force on 1 April 1995, after
ratification from five States (the United States, Denmark, Finland, Sweden
and Norway).
6 Fiscal Comm., London and Mexico Model Tax Conventions: Commentary and Text, League of Nations
Doc. No. C.88.M.88.1946.IIa.; Dean (2008), p.39.
7 Dean (2008), p.40.
8 It should be noted that this position had already evolved in 1996, under a new income tax treaty with the
United States, where Switzerland was ready to exchange information in cases of ‘tax fraud and the like’. This
concept, derived from domestic Swiss law, corresponds to tax evasion combined with fraudulent behaviour
of the taxpayer, such as manoeuvres or ‘schemes of lies’ designed to deceive the tax administration; see infra
p.53 ff.
6
DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION RULES
The year 1998 remains a landmark moment on the path towards global 2.07
transparency. This was when the OECD published the famous report against
harmful tax competition. It sets a pattern to identify tax havens and harmful tax
regimes of countries with a comprehensive tax system. Looking at this report
in retrospect, it is interesting to note that most of the changes that would
occur later in the area of exchange of information were already announced ten
years earlier, albeit not in such an extensive and comprehensive form. Among
the criteria to identify both tax havens and harmful tax regimes, the lack of
effective exchange of information plays a key role. At that time, Luxembourg
and Switzerland abstained from approving the report. Both countries however
continued to participate in the work of the OECD on these matters.
Pressure started to grow notably against identified tax havens, which were 2.08
further divided into two categories: cooperative and non-cooperative. In 2000
the OECD issued a report entitled Improving Access to Bank Information
for Tax Purposes.9 Both Switzerland and Luxembourg approved this report.
Retrospectively, it can be seen as a compromise because it only provides for
a minimum standard of exchange of information upon request, and subject to
tax fraud, as defined according to the law of the requested State.10 For a while,
due notably to a public statement of the United States in early 2001,11 the
focus was less on the harmful features of corporate taxation than on exchange
of information as such. The pressure however continued.
As a result of the work of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange 2.09
of Information, which was created in 2000, in 2002 the OECD issued a model
tax information exchange agreement (TIEA). The OECD presented both
a multilateral and a bilateral model, which provided for exchange of informa-
tion upon request, without the possibility for the requested State to oppose
bank secrecy rules. Indeed, the request was based on the conditions set forth
under the rules of the requesting States. While it appears that TIEAs had
already been concluded in the past, notably between the United States and
9 OECD, Improving Access to Bank Information For Tax Purposes (OECD 2000), International
Organizations Documentation IBFD.
10 The approval of the 2000 OECD Report, and the later introduction of the EU Saving Directives, led
Switzerland to modify its position in favour of an exchange of information in case of tax fraud according to
the law of the requested State: see infra p.25.
11 See US Treasury Department, Statement from Treasury Secretary O’Neil on OECD Tax Havens, of 10 May
2001.
7
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN TAX MATTERS
2.10 In 2005, strongly influenced by the works of the Global Forum and the
adoption of the Model TIEA, the OECD Model DTC and its Commentary
were modified in order to comply with the global standard. A new paragraph
5 to Article 26 was adopted. It provides, in particular, that the requested State
cannot decline to supply information solely because it is held by a bank or other
financial institution, or because it relates to the ownership interests in a person.
2.11 Actions were also being undertaken at the EU level in order to fight tax evasion
and develop exchange of information. Significant instruments have been put
in place, notably in the area of VAT and various excise duties. On 27 January
1992 the Council Regulation (218/92) on administrative cooperation in the
field of indirect taxation (VAT) was adopted, followed later by a new Council
Regulation on 7 October 2003. In the field of direct taxes, the first Directive
on exchange of information (77/799) was adopted on 19 December 1977. This
Directive would be modified many times in the future.
2.13 The year 2007 was the calm before the storm. It all started in Liechtenstein.
A gentleman by the name of Kiefer was able to transfer a CD of clients’ names
from an accounting firm in Vaduz to Germany. The CD contained a list of
non-compliant German taxpayers. Without knowing it, Mr Kiefer provoked
a major political crisis, resulting in the resignation of a top German politician
12 Council Directive 2004/48/EC of 3 June 2003 on the taxation of savings income in the form of interest
payments, OJ L 157 of 26 June 2003, p.38 ff.
8
DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION RULES
involved in the fraud, and put the issue at the forefront of both the political
agenda and the media. Shortly after, in 2008, the UBS scandal started in the
United States, with thousands of undeclared bank accounts of US taxpayers
under investigation.
The economic crisis of 2008, although not directly linked with the issue of 2.14
bank secrecy and offshore accounts, gave a further impetus in favour of global
transparency and put more pressure on tax havens. International organizations
(such as the UN or the OECD), and notably G20 countries, called for action
in this field. As of 2008, the implementation of global standards of transpar-
ency and exchange of information reached the top of the agenda at the G20
meetings in Washington, London and Pittsburgh.13
The Leader’s statement of the London G20 meeting of 2 April 2009 stated: 2.15
Indeed, the G20 meeting of 2009 introduced white, grey or black lists of 2.16
countries, according to their level of implementation of a sufficient network of
exchange of information treaties. The ‘rule of 12’ became reality. In order to
belong to the white list a country had to sign a minimum of 12 DTCs, with an
extended exchange of information clause corresponding to the OECD Model,
or 12 TIEAs. This time the pressure from the world community was too strong.
On 13 March 2009, a ‘big bang’ occurred: Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and
Switzerland, in particular, announced their willingness henceforth to apply
the standard defined in Article 26 of the OECD Model DTC within the
framework of new tax treaties. During the London G20 summit on 2 April
2009 those countries were still on the ‘grey’ list, which referred to States that
had committed to implementing the international standard without having
done so in substance.14 By September 2009, they had been moved to the white
list.15 March 2009 would further lead to worldwide negotiations of tax treaties,
with extended exchange of information clauses, and of TIEA to a degree never
before seen, including in notable tax haven countries.
9
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN TAX MATTERS
2.17 The Global Forum started to implement a ‘peer review’ process in order to
verify the level of implementation of the global standard. The first phase
started in 2010. Some countries had to modify their legislation, which could
be viewed as too restrictive in view of the requirement of the generally accepted
standard. The second phase of the peer review concentrates on the effective
practices of the Member States. It is still under way but important progress has
generally been implemented globally.
which was developed by the OECD in co-operation with non-OECD countries and
which was endorsed by G20 Finance Ministers at their Berlin Meeting in 2004 and
by the UN Committee of Experts on International Cooperation in Tax Matters at
its October 2008 Meeting, requires the exchange of information on request in all tax
matters for the administration and enforcement of domestic tax law without regard to
a domestic interest requirement or bank secrecy for tax purposes. It also provides for
extensive safeguards to protect the confidentiality of the information exchanged.16
2.19 Major developments also occurred in the United States. In 2001 the ‘Qualified
Intermediary’ (QI) agreements were implemented. They allow foreign finan-
cial institutions (FFIs) to enter into QI agreements, which provide for deter-
mining the identity of their US clients, and to levy a withholding tax of 30
per cent on US source income (dividends, interests, gross proceeds from sale).
Under the QI, however, the FFI did not have to disclose the names of their
US customers.
2.20 The UBS case, including the Birkenfeld whistleblowing,17 drew a lot of
attention from the media and political pressure grew against the use of off-
shore structures, with the participation of banks or FFIs, to evade taxes. As
a consequence, the United States introduced the Foreign Account Taxpayer
Compliance Act (FATCA) in 2010. Under FATCA, foreign FFIs must iden-
tify and report to the IRS US account holders and non-US account holders
with substantial US ownership. Participating FFIs are also required to levy
a 30 per cent withholding tax on certain payments of recalcitrant account
holders.
2.21 In 2011, the Joint CoE/OECD CMAAT of 1988 was further amended.18 It
was opened for signature by non-OECD Member countries. The rules were
16 OECD, Tax Co-operation 2010: Towards a Level Playing Field (2009); see also Malherbe/Beynsberger
(2012), p.125.
17 For a description of the UBS saga, see infra p.56 ff.
18 See in particular, Pross/Russo (2012), p.381.
10
DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION RULES
In the same period Switzerland started to implement an alternative model, the 2.23
so-called Rubik agreements. In a nutshell, the model is based on a withholding
tax on Swiss source income to foreign residents in Contracting States, which is
then transferred to that State, while preserving the anonymity of the taxpayer.
The rate corresponds to the State of residence. Withholding tax agreements
have been signed by Switzerland in 2012 with the United Kingdom, Austria
and Germany (but the latter was not in the end ratified).
A further development took place in 2012. On 17 July 2012 the OECD 2.24
updated its Commentary on the OECD Model and confirmed the admissi-
bility of so-called group requests in the context of exchange of information.20
It means that a request may not only refer to a single identified taxpayer but
also pertain to a specific group of taxpayers who are in a similar situation. The
prohibition of fishing expeditions still applies under the standard, so that the
group must be sufficiently related to a specific and joint ‘pattern of facts’.21
19 Council Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation of 15 February 2011,
O.J. L 64/1 of 11.03.2011.
20 See, notably, OECD Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital: Commentary on Article 26, para
5.2 (22 July 2010).
21 For an example of a group request, see Federal Administrative Court (FAC) of 5 March 2009 (‘case UBS I’),
Archives 2009, p.837; see infra p.57 ff.
11
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN TAX MATTERS
2.25 In the same year, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) adopted a revision
of its guidelines. According to the FATF Recommendation No 3 of February
2012, serious tax crimes (direct or indirect), a concept to be defined under
domestic tax law, become a predicate offence for criminal money laundering
prosecution. This rule – which had already been implemented by many States,
namely in Europe – thus became a global standard. Following that trend,
a proposal for a new EU Directive on the prevention of the use of the finan-
cial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing of 5
February 2013 (COM (2013) 45 final) is under analysis.
2.26 The development of money laundering rules in the tax area has a direct impact
on exchange of information. Indeed, coordination between criminal and tax
rules will foster such exchanges. In addition, criminal rules on identification
of the beneficial owner of complex structures, implemented for anti-money
laundering purposes, may be used as additional tools in the tax area, in order to
identify beneficial owners or controlling persons.
2.27 While most observers were thinking that giant steps had already been achieved
in the area of exchange of information, another major development, somewhat
comparable to the ‘big bang’ of 2009, took place in 2013: the move towards
automatic exchange of information.
2.28 The movement can in fact be traced back to 2012. In particular, in February
of that year, five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the
United Kingdom) announced their intention to develop a system of multilat-
eral automatic exchange of information with the United States, in order to
implement the FATCA rules. This agreement forms the basis of the so-called
Model 1 IGA. This development can be described as a ‘turning point’ in the
efforts to reach a global standard of automatic exchange of information.22
Indeed, the FATCA system of global reporting was implemented globally and
endorsed as a potentially reciprocal standard under the Model 1 IGA.
2.29 On 19 April 2013 a meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank
Governors endorsed automatic exchange of information as the expected new
22 See also Tello/Malherbe (2014), p.1; Grinberg (2014), p.333 ff; Grinberg (2012), pp.305, 375; Morse (2012),
p.529 ff.
12
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
Types, 6, 12, 22, 26, 56
Vellum books, 20, 125
Wife, 20
Woodcuts, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 27, 33, 142
Charles the Great, Caxton, 16
Chasteleyn, George. See Castellain, George
Chastising of God’s Children, W. de Worde, 24, 25
Chatsworth Library, 81, 88
Chaucer, G., Works, Pynson, 1526, 165;
Godfray, 1532, 156, 157;
Canterbury Tales, Caxton, 8, 15;
Pynson, 57, 58;
W. de Worde, 30;
Hous of Fame, Caxton, 15;
Mars and Venus, Notary, 39;
Troilus and Cressida, Caxton, 15
Chepman, Walter, 115
Chevallon, Claude, 205
Cholmondeley, Ralph, 176
Chorle and the Bird, 10, 16
Christmas Carolles, W. de Worde, 1521, 137
Chronicles of England, Caxton, 13;
Leeu, 88, 90;
Machlinia, 52, 60;
Notary, 142-144
Cicero, Paradoxes, Redman, 177;
De officiis, Mainz, 1466, 4;
Pro Milone, Oxford, 66
Claudin, A., 17
Cluen, Gerard, 217
Coblentz, Jean de, 198
Cock, Simon, 231
Cockes, John, 227
Colet, John, 148
Cologne printing, 4, 65, 73, 79, 142, 219
Combe, Dr Charles, 73
Commemoratio lamentationis beate Marie, Caxton, 21
Commendations of Matrimony, J. Skot, 1528, 150
Complaint of the too soon maryed, W. de Worde, 138
Confluentinus, Joannes, 198
Congregational Library, London, 61
Consolation of timorouse and fearfull consciencys, 172
Constable, John, Epigrammata, Pynson, 1520, 124
Contemplacyon or meditacyon of the shedynge of the blood, W. de
Worde, 35
Conversion of Swearers, W. de Worde, 135;
J. Butler, 152
Conway, Sir W. M., 88
Copenhagen printing, 30
Copland, Robert, 7, 139, 146-7, 154, 172
Copland, William, 147
Corsellis, Frederick, 2
Cotton, Henry, 19
Cousin, Jacques, 205, 206
Couvelance, Philippus de, 199
Coverdale, Miles, 208, 209, 225
Cowlance, Jean de, 198
Cox, Leonard, 153
Cranmer, Thomas, 159
Crawford, Earl of, 194
Criblée engravings, 142
Crom, Matthew, 231
Cromwell, Thomas, 149, 154, 157, 185, 203, 209
Croppe, Gerard, 23
Cuthbert, St, 101