African Tax Forum Unveils Toolkit to Boost Continental Tax Cooperation
The organization states that the treaty "is aligned with international best practices and is open to all ATAF members."
PRETORIA, South Africa— The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has launched a comprehensive toolkit to help member countries join a key tax cooperation agreement, aiming to combat tax evasion and avoidance across the continent, writes Winston Mwale.
The toolkit, released Wednesday, provides guidance on joining the ATAF Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Tax Matters (AMATM). This treaty facilitates cooperation among African tax administrations in an increasingly globalized economy where resources can easily cross borders.
ATAF Executive Secretary Logan Wort emphasized the treaty's significance, stating, "The AMATM is a critical instrument for enhancing tax cooperation across Africa. It supports our members in closing information gaps and ensuring that taxes owed are collected, contributing to the development of public services."
Wort added, "This toolkit will empower our members to take full advantage of the treaty's provisions."
The AMATM enables African countries to exchange taxpayer information, conduct joint audits, and assist in recovering tax debts held abroad.
ATAF notes that "In a globalised economy, multinational companies and wealthy individuals can easily move resources across borders, making it difficult for tax administrations to assess and collect the correct taxes."
The new toolkit outlines practical steps for countries to join the AMATM, including "the signatories, the delegation of authority, the ratification process and the final submission of the instruments to ATAF."
ATAF encourages all members to use the toolkit and join the AMATM, supporting continent-wide efforts to combat illicit financial flows and promote economic integration.
The organization states that the treaty "is aligned with international best practices and is open to all ATAF members."
As African nations work to strengthen their tax systems and increase domestic revenue, the AMATM and its accompanying toolkit represent significant steps toward more effective cross-border tax cooperation on the continent.