Armenian, Latvian Tax Agencies Sign Cooperation Pact

by Lorys Charalambous, Tax-News.com, Cyprus

04 May 2012

The tax authorities of Latvia and Armenia have agreed to cooperate more deeply on fiscal compliance issues, during a four-day meeting which culminated in the signing of a memorandum of understanding.

From April 24-27, the two nations' authorities discussed possibilities for mutual cooperation on tax and customs issues.

During its visit, the Latvia delegation became acquainted with Armenia's administrative infrastructure for the collection of taxes, and was invited to witness efforts being undertaken to improve tax compliance, particularly among large taxpayers. It was noted that both nations have similar departmental structures and objectives with regard to the modernization of revenue collection, and enforcement efforts.

The Latvian delegation discussed with its Armenian peers the reorganization of the Latvian State Revenue Service, which consolidated the nation's three previous agencies into one, more efficient entity. In recent years, Latvia has focused on electronic document circulation and the expansion of electronic services, Armenian tax officials were told.

On the penultimate day, the two authorities agreed to the signing of an agreement on technical cooperation. According to the Armenian tax authority, the agreement will be instrumental in the fight against tax avoidance by strengthening the exchange of information between tax and customs bodies in the two countries.

Welcoming the signing, the First Deputy Chairman of the Armenian State Revenue Committee, Armen Alaverdyan, said: “Latvia [has] confirmed its program to fight against [the] black economy and we have a wish to cooperate also in this sphere. Besides we were interested [in exchanging] experience in information technology. An agreement was achieved for our training, [and for] mutual visits.”

Latvian State Revenue Service General Director Nelia Ezdakova, added: “This is a very important agreement; the exchange of experience will be useful for the two departments. I am sure that the cooperation founded during our visit will continue and our future cooperation will be more effective.”

Cooperation between the two nations in tax matters spans many years. In 2002 the two countries signed a convention for the avoidance of double taxation, assigning the taxing rights of the two countries and providing administrative assistance, and in 2006 the two countries' agencies signed an agreement 'on mutual assistance in customs matters'.

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