Chinese Observer Joins International Anti-Evasion Group

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

16 September 2008

International action against tax avoidance has taken another step forward with the arrival of a representative of the State Administration of Taxation (SAT) of China at the London office of the Joint International Tax Shelter Information Centre (JITSIC).

HM Revenue and Customs announced on Monday that SAT is sending a representative to JITSIC's London office, which is hosted by HMRC, for three months to observe the activities and improve international co-operation.

JITSIC is a collaborative venture, established in 2004 by the tax administrations of Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. It is co-located in London and Washington, and staff in the two locations work together as a single office. The initiative aims to identify and curb tax avoidance and shelters and those who promote and invest in them.

According to HMRC, all delegates exchange information on abusive tax schemes, their promoters and investors, consistent with the provisions of bilateral tax conventions.

Welcoming the SAT observer to JITSIC, HMRC Acting CEO Dave Hartnett, said:

"The arrival of an SAT observer to work with JITSIC is a very welcome development. JITSIC identifies and tackles complex challenges to the integrity of members' tax systems. This calls for an internationally co-ordinated response and that is exactly what JITSIC delivers."

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