Functioning taxation systems are of primary importance for development policy. This applies as much to the tax levy within developing countries as well as their capacity to prevent tax and capital flight. Taxation is the most important instrument for mobilising internal financial resources for the development process. Gradually aid in the establishment of an efficient taxation system is gaining significance as part of bilateral development cooperation. By Rainer Falk*)
International tax policy cooperation has also become more important recently as a complementary element. However, the effectiveness of tax policy cooperation is inversely proportional to its importance. At the 2nd UN Conference on Financing for Development in Doha at the end of 2008 or the UN Conference on the Global Economic and Financial Crisis and its Impact on Developing Countries in New York in June 2009 there were vocal demands for strengthening the institutional preconditions for international tax cooperation under the umbrella of the United Nations. Yet concrete initiatives have been limited to those from the organisations dominated by the North such as the OECD resp. regional bodies like the EU or bilateral taxation agreements, above all the many so-called double taxation agreements ... ... this article comes up in WDEV 4/Jul-Aug 2009 and is for subscribers only. For direct log in >>> click here.If you have no subscription >>> pick your option or >>>
* This article is based on the summary and recommendations of a study by the author, Zur Debatte um Steueroasen: Der Fall Luxemburg. Fragen aus entwicklungspolitischer Sicht (Discussing Tax Havens: The case of Luxembourg. Questions from a development perspective), 26 pp, Cercle de coopération des ONG: Luxembourg, July 2009. The complete study can be downloaded >>> here.
For more information : * Cercle de Coopération des ONG de Développement au Luxembourg, 13, av Gaston Diderich, L-1420 Luxembourg, tél: +352/26020911, info@cercle.lu, www.cercle.lu.
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