A three day G20 Asia Pacific Regional Workshop on International Taxation was held from 3rd to 5th October, 2023 at the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Nagpur. The workshop was a joint initiative under India’s G20 Presidency in collaboration with ADB and WB to bolster capacities in the Asia Pacific Region.
In the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration released during the G20 Summit in September, the G20 Leaders recognised the need for coordinated efforts for capacity building of tax administrations to implement the two-pillar international tax package effectively. Actively pursuing this priority, the Presidency, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank (WB) under the Asia Pacific Tax Hub framework, organised the three-day regional workshop at NADT, Nagpur.
The transformation of the International Tax architecture in order to address challenges arising from digitalization of economy has been the dominant focus of G20 membership for the last decade. The two-pillar international tax package is being developed by the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (IF) to address the tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy. Indian Presidency identified capacity building of tax administrations as quintessential to successfully address reforms of the international tax architecture and recognised the need for capacity building measures to precede implementation efforts for the broader achievement of sustainable development goals by member countries. This joint initiative of the Presidency with development partners ADB and WB in the Asia Pacific region emanates from the resolve of the Presidency to reinvigorate multilateral efforts through regional cooperation.
Ms. Pragya Sahay Saksena, Member (Legislation), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) inaugurated the three-day G20 Asia Pacific Workshop on International Taxation. It was attended by tax administrators and policymakers from over 20 developing countries of the Asia Pacific region, including tax administrators from India. Discussions during the workshop took place on the building blocks and latest developments of Pillar One, core issues of implementation of the Global Minimum Tax (GloBE Rules) and the Subject to Tax Rule (STTR) under Pillar Two of the IF’s two-pillar package, as well as alternatives to raise revenue from digitalized transactions. The three-day workshop successfully familiarized the government officials from the Asia Pacific region with the innovative and transformative reforms to the international tax system that are being undertaken as well as the implementation framework of the GloBE Rules. There were also intensive discussions on the impact of the GloBE Rules on existing tax incentives provided by countries, as well as possible reforms that countries could undertake in accordance with their wider reform priorities. The workshop consisted of insightful presentations and discussions among the participants and tax experts from renowned multi-lateral organizations.
NADT, the premier training institute for the officers of the Indian Revenue Service, hosted the three-day Indian G20 Presidency event. The participants also enjoyed a cultural evening showcasing the vibrant culture of India, along with an excursion to explore Nagpur’s rich heritage.