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Based on the mission statement of the Organisation, the annual programme of technical events seeks to provide a wide-ranging scope of activities covering the full spectrum of practical tax administration topics. Development of the programme is based on several factors including feedback from the member tax administrations, analysis of activities being undertaken in the European region by other tax administration related organisations and the co-operation initiatives with both the European Commission (DG TAXUD) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Case Study Workshops Case Study Workshops are a relatively new initiative and are seen to provide the ideal bridge between theoretical knowledge and the practical application of that knowledge by individuals.
Currently we are using Case Study Workshops for four key topics. Firstly we have: - Transfer Pricing Case Studies;
- Taxation of Financial Instruments Case Studies;
The aim of these events is to offer two workshops each with a different level of complexity, focused on the use of case studies, but with the content of each workshop being geared to different target audiences. The workshops are practical in nature, combining presentations of selected case studies with the opportunity for all participants to share their own views and opinions on the approach to resolving the transfer pricing issues raised in each case study. The intermediate level workshop aims to use the expertise of some of the more experienced colleagues participating in the advanced level workshop who act as trainers and facilitators in order to assist their less experienced colleagues. Case studies used in the intermediate level workshop are stretching, but not as advanced and complex as the cases studied and discussed in the advanced level workshop. It is also a feature of the intermediate level workshop that participants discuss current cases and issues that are giving them problems, and again the aim is for the more experienced auditors to offer advice on practical approaches and solutions. The delegates attending the advanced level workshop are required to have extensive practical skills and a high level of experience in dealing with the more complex cases. Secondly we also have stand-alone Case Study Workshops on: - VAT Fraud Cases;
- Applications of Tax Treaties (pilot workshop).
This workshop is also very practical in nature, combining presentations of selected case studies with the opportunity for all participants to share their own views and opinions on the approach to resolving the VAT fraud issues raised in each case study. Programme of WorkshopsIn addition to the established IOTA Area Groups and Case Study Workshops the organisation also provides an annual programme of workshops on a variety of practical tax administration themes. Although these events are in some way seen as ‘stand alone’ activities the focus is nevertheless on establishing forums for exchange of knowledge and experiences on a practical level. Topics are included annually based on the expressions of interest received from the Member tax administrations. Our programme for 2008 includes the following Workshops: - Human Resources - Managing Change;
- Tax Collection;
- Tax Investigation;
- Common Aspects of Merging Tax and Customs Agencies;
- Benchmarking Performance;
- Risk Management in the Field of Tax Collection;
- E-Audit Tools and Techniques;
- Role of the Media and Its Relationship with the Tax Administration
Each of these events incorporates a significant period of time for interaction and discussion between participants working in smaller groups to exchange good practice and debate “hot topics”. The opportunity to work in this way is valued highly by delegates and is an area that IOTA continues to develop.
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