Welcome to the Global Tax Issues Programs Page
ITIC Global Tax Issues Programs covers subject based projects and research that
cover a particular tax type or problem, rather than a specific region. ITIC often
works with partner governments and research institutions to work on a variety of
subject based projects, often on a cross regional basis. These focus on the technical
issues and policy determinants of a particular type of taxation, or on the taxation
of a specific activity.
Natural resources and Minerals Taxation:
ITIC is regularly called upon by governments and international organizations to
provide expert testimony about upstream petroleum taxation, and about excise taxes
on petroleum. As governments seek methods of revenue generation and the optimal
extraction of a nation’s capital in the form of mineral assets and hydrocarbons,
they are keen to balance these issues with the ability to attract capital and technology
to these vital sectors in their own countries. ITIC studies and conferences, whether
conducted independently or in conjunction with other international organizations,
convey ‘best international practice’ in upstream taxation to government policy makers.
“ITIC is a respected, trusted, and effective voice on tax and investment issues.
In many ways ITIC is a private sector IMF or OECD."
— Guy Hollingsworth, former Managing Director, Eurasia, ChevronTexaco
Excise Taxation:
The governments of transition and developing nations are far more dependent on indirect
tax revenue than Western nations where individual incomes can provide a more substantial
tax base. Many such governments look especially to tobacco, alcohol, and petroleum
taxes. ITIC assists with legislative drafting of tax code amendments and other statutory
language designed to establish stability in excise tax collections.
A common problem with high alcohol and tobacco taxes is smuggling and counterfeiting,
and this can reach epidemic proportions in a nation with minimal border control
and a low median income. ITIC has teamed up with Oxford Economic Forecasting (OEF)
to develop analytical capabilities, budget forecasting, and investment impact analysis.
The result of this cooperation has been a series of publications showing authoritative
estimates of how excise taxes affect purchasing patterns, government revenue streams,
and contraband products.
Excise policy reforms in Russia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan can be traced directly
to ITIC efforts, and ITIC has also worked on excise tax issues in Ukraine, other
CIS republics, Latin American nations such as Argentina and Colombia, South Korea,
the Philippines and several African nations including Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria,
Kenya, and Ivory Coast. ITIC then follows up with regional meetings and other events
to share best practices suitable to regional conditions and disseminate the latest
thinking on the subject from international experts.
“ITIC’s work is not done with getting good policy reforms. We must work to develop
effective and professional tax administrations in many countries.”
– William Morris, Tax Counsel International, GE International, Inc.
The results of our studies program, notes of various meetings and important tax
policy related documents are available in our program libraries, available to sponsors
only.
For more information on becoming an ITIC sponsor, please contact ITIC Washington
Office.