The meeting was attended by representatives of tax administrations from Australia, the United States, Canada, South Africa, India and Japan, director of the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration Pascal Saint-Amans, Aide to the President of Russia Elvira Nabiullina, and head of Russia’s Federal Tax Service Mikhail Mishustin.
Opening the meeting, Sergei Ivanov expressed confidence that the upcoming session of the Bureau would be useful and fruitful and will further promote effective cooperation in the field of tax administration. He noted that Russia strives to actively participate in all international tax harmonisation processes and take into account the OECD’s best practices.
According to the Chief of Staff, the competitiveness of the nation’s tax system is important for increasing its investment appeal and developing the national economy. Sergei Ivanov stressed that Russian authorities do not want to increase the tax burden, aiming to make the current tax administration system more transparent and convenient, maintaining a flat rate. In Mr Ivanov’s opinion, the website of Russia’s Federal Tax Service is a good example of the automation process underway in Russia with respect to providing various types of services.
Noting that Russia is an integral part of the global economy, Sergei Ivanov outlined the main directions for multilateral cooperation in taxation: fight against unfair tax competition, regulation of issues pertaining to offshore zones, increasing transparency and exchange of tax information.
Mr Ivanov pointed out that in 2013 Russia will chair the G20 and said that tax administration issues could be included in the summit’s agenda for their further discussion by the nations’ leaders.
The Chief of Staff also confirmed Russia’s intention to broaden cooperation with the OECD and join the organisation in the near future.