HM REVENUE AND
CUSTOMS News Release (Ref:NAT 62/07) issued by The Government News
Network on 27 September 2007
London base for
International drive against tax avoidance
The Joint International Tax Shelter Information Centre (JITSIC)
is an international initiative to identify and curb tax avoidance
and shelters and those who promote and invest in them. Tax
avoidance has a detrimental affect on the economies of all
developed countries, depriving them of vital resources whilst
promoting complexity and inequity within the tax system.
JITSIC recognises that international tax avoidance can only be
tackled effectively through international co-operation.
Welcoming the opening of JITSIC's London office, Financial
Secretary to the Treasury, Jane Kennedy said:
"I'm delighted that London has been chosen as
JITSIC's second home. Countries need to work together in
order to stamp out tax avoidance, which deprives public services
of vital resources. Tax avoidance gives those who seek to cheat
the system an unfair advantage over the vast majority of taxpayers
who play by the rules. JITSIC has already proved very effective
in combating tax avoidance and its new centre in London will help
us further build on that work."
HMRC Director General (Business) Dave Hartnett said:
"The selection of London as the second base for
JITSIC's work is very good news - not only for the UK - but
for every country committed to fairness and transparency in their
tax systems. JITSIC is already rising to the challenges posed by
international tax avoidance in its increasingly cunning and
complex forms. The understanding gained and exchanged will
materially benefit every taxpayer who prefers to play by the rules."
Details
1. JITSIC opened its London centre on 10 September.
2. JITSIC London, hosted by the UK's HM Revenue &
Customs, will include a delegate from JITSIC's newest member, Japan.
3. JITSIC London and JITSIC Washington will work together as a
single office.
Notes for editors
1. JITSIC was established in 2004 by the tax administrations of
Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, to
supplement the ongoing work of the Australian Taxation Office, the
Canada Revenue Agency, HM Revenue & Customs, and the Internal
Revenue Service in identifying and curbing tax avoidance and
shelters and those who promote them and invest in them.
2. The first office is located in Washington DC. The London
office was announced 23 May 2007.
3. All delegates exchange information on abusive tax schemes,
their promoters and investors, consistent with the provisions of
bilateral tax conventions.
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
Website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk