Institute for Austrian and International Tax Law WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) Welthandelsplatz 1, Building D3, 2nd floor 1020 Vienna, Austria
Day One
A review of the sources of rights (constitutional, statutory, and administrative), the impact of tax “exceptionalism” on the rights of taxpayers, and the legal implications of status as a taxpayer in international taxation, including granting specific rights to people (and entities) who aren’t citizens or even physical residents of a country.
A review of the sources of rights (constitutional, statutory, and administrative), the impact of tax “exceptionalism” on the rights of taxpayers, and the legal implications of status as a taxpayer in international taxation, including granting specific rights to people (and entities) who aren’t citizens or even physical residents of a country.
As tax authorities acquire and share significant amounts of tax information about their taxpayers, significant questions arise as to the rights and protections taxpayers have as to the compilation, use, and sharing of this information. At what point in the process should the taxpayer be informed that the tax agency has information from another jurisdiction? On what basis, when and how will the taxpayer be able to challenge the use of that information on the grounds that it either should not have been collected or shared? What is the impact and taxpayer rights implications of information-sharing for individual and small and medium enterprise taxpayers, as opposed to large corporate entities? What is the role of the press in promoting transparency and tax compliance?
Prepared by: Ali Noroozi
As tax authorities acquire and share significant amounts of tax information about their taxpayers, significant questions arise as to the rights and protections taxpayers have as to the compilation, use, and sharing of this information. At what point in the process should the taxpayer be informed that the tax agency has information from another jurisdiction? On what basis, when and how will the taxpayer be able to challenge the use of that information on the grounds that it either should not have been collected or shared? What is the impact and taxpayer rights implications of information-sharing for individual and small and medium enterprise taxpayers, as opposed to large corporate entities? What is the role of the press in promoting transparency and tax compliance?
With the expanded exchange of information between taxing jurisdictions, there is an increased likelihood that taxpayers will face proposed tax assessments from multiple tax agencies. This panel will (1) explore what an effective multijurisdictional dispute resolution framework would look like and what fundamental rights it should incorporate; (2) analyze whether there is an effective mechanism for coordinating and resolving multijurisdictional disputes; and (3) analyze whether existing mechanisms provide adequate protection of taxpayer rights between jurisdictions and how they fit under existing human rights frameworks.
With the expanded exchange of information between taxing jurisdictions, there is an increased likelihood that taxpayers will face proposed tax assessments from multiple tax agencies. This panel will (1) explore what an effective multijurisdictional dispute resolution framework would look like and what fundamental rights it should incorporate; (2) analyze whether there is an effective mechanism for coordinating and resolving multijurisdictional disputes; and (3) analyze whether existing mechanisms provide adequate protection of taxpayer rights between jurisdictions and how they fit under existing human rights frameworks.
As tax agency budgets are reduced even as the tax environment becomes more complex and tax agencies increasingly play a role in delivering non-tax benefits and policy, tax agency budgets around the world are being reduced. This panel will explore several developments in response to this state of affairs, including the reduction of person-to-person service in favor of digital or centralized services; the increased reliance on third parties (preparers, representatives, software providers) to navigate the tax system; and the impact of these changes on vulnerable taxpayer populations (e.g., the elderly and low income), particularly in self-assessment systems.
Prepared by: Leslie Book
Prepared by: Matthias Kasper
As tax agency budgets are reduced even as the tax environment becomes more complex and tax agencies increasingly play a role in delivering non-tax benefits and policy, tax agency budgets around the world are being reduced. This panel will explore several developments in response to this state of affairs, including the reduction of person-to-person service in favor of digital or centralized services; the increased reliance on third parties (preparers, representatives, software providers) to navigate the tax system; and the impact of these changes on vulnerable taxpayer populations (e.g., the elderly and low income), particularly in self-assessment systems.
A candid discussion with overseers of tax agencies on the tension between agency and scrutineers; enhancing independence via appointment and funding protections – administrative provision or legislative; and access to agency information.
A candid discussion with overseers of tax agencies on the tension between agency and scrutineers; enhancing independence via appointment and funding protections – administrative provision or legislative; and access to agency information.
Day Two
This panel will explore current research on the use of penalties and general anti-avoidance rules (GAAR) in tax administration from the perspectives of legal and economic theory and taxpayer behavior. What types of penalties and initiatives are effective deterrents of noncompliance? Do automatic or strict liability penalties deter or increase noncompliance? What safeguards should be in place before a penalty or GAAR is imposed or applied? With respect to what penalties should the tax agency bear the burden of proof for justifying penalty imposition? How does penalty administration affect taxpayers’ trust in the tax system?
Prepared by: Christoph Kogler
This panel will explore current research on the use of penalties and general anti-avoidance rules (GAAR) in tax administration from the perspectives of legal and economic theory and taxpayer behavior. What types of penalties and initiatives are effective deterrents of noncompliance? Do automatic or strict liability penalties deter or increase noncompliance? What safeguards should be in place before a penalty or GAAR is imposed or applied? With respect to what penalties should the tax agency bear the burden of proof for justifying penalty imposition? How does penalty administration affect taxpayers’ trust in the tax system?
Today’s international tax landscape includes several actors that work across borders and are not aligned with any one government. Representatives from OECD, UN Panel of Tax Experts, etc. will discuss their roles in establishing, delineating, and protecting taxpayer rights.
Today’s international tax landscape includes several actors that work across borders and are not aligned with any one government. Representatives from OECD, UN Panel of Tax Experts, etc. will discuss their roles in establishing, delineating, and protecting taxpayer rights.
The culture, social norms, biases, and past and current experiences of both tax agency employees and taxpayers are key factors in achieving voluntary compliance. This panel will explore several aspects of tax agency and taxpayer culture. From the agency perspective, how does an agency transform itself from a “hunter” mentality to a more educational, collaborative approach? How does corruption (real or perceived) impact taxpayer norms of acceptable behavior?
Prepared by: Attiya Waris
The culture, social norms, biases, and past and current experiences of both tax agency employees and taxpayers are key factors in achieving voluntary compliance. This panel will explore several aspects of tax agency and taxpayer culture. From the agency perspective, how does an agency transform itself from a “hunter” mentality to a more educational, collaborative approach? How does corruption (real or perceived) impact taxpayer norms of acceptable behavior?
The manner in which a tax agency enforces the tax laws can impact taxpayers’ willingness to comply with those laws. This panel will explore what approaches, safeguards, and protections can enhance taxpayer trust in the tax agency and perceptions of procedural justice, including transparency and accountability, burden of proof, administrative appeals and mediation, and access to pre-assessment judicial review.
Prepared by: Diana Bernal Ladrón de Guevara
The manner in which a tax agency enforces the tax laws can impact taxpayers’ willingness to comply with those laws. This panel will explore what approaches, safeguards, and protections can enhance taxpayer trust in the tax agency and perceptions of procedural justice, including transparency and accountability, burden of proof, administrative appeals and mediation, and access to pre-assessment judicial review.