ACCA tax chief urges simplicity in India’s new tax regime

CONNAUGHT PLACE, India - Oct. 31, 2013 - PRLog -- 31^st October 2013: The head of taxation at ACCA (the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants), the global accountancy body, has said the Indian Government’s new vision for tax reform must be kept simple to avoid the plethora of loopholes and ineffective measures that other countries currently face.

ACCA’s Chas Roy-Chowdhury told the delegates at the Cross Border Transactions: Challenges of Foreign Investment and International Taxation Conference on October 30, 2013 at Jindal Global Business School in Delhi that while tackling tax evasion was essential in all countries and on an international scale, India’s tax authorities had an opportunity to get it right.

Chas Roy-Chowdhury told the conference in his keynote speech: “We have seen a recent drive on the global stage for a move towards a global corporate tax regime aimed at stamping out transfer pricing and income shifting. While the sentiment is good, the reality is flawed.

“Worldwide attempts at a corporate tax crackdown will only work with the US joining that initiative. Different countries have different ideas about what the new tax regime should look like, and with many eager to attract business to their shores with tax advantages unanimity on a global tax regime such as this could be beyond reach.

“While the work of the OECD on this should be welcomed, the expectation about what it can deliver may be too high.”

GAAR

On the issue of a general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR) Chas Roy-Chowdhury said: “I draw comparisons with the UK where the GAAR has been introduced and portrayed as the answer to tax avoidance. The reality is that the UK didn’t need this legislation.

It was designed to tackle tax evasion, which is illegal and already covered by the law. It was never a tool for catching businesses who avoided paying tax through legal methods.

“Despite this, measures such as GAAR send a message to the outside world that the UK is not friendly to the business community, which is a bad message to send at a time when the economy needs more businesses to set up in the UK.

“India, which has also seen a slowdown, has a tightrope to walk in establishing a more internationally focused tax landscape, while not being seen as a no go area for overseas investors and the international trade community if it is to return to the heights of economic success seen in recent years.

“A clear, simple tax system for commerce as well as individuals must be the top priority for the Government.”

About Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants that aim to offer business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. The Institute supports more than 162,000 members and 428,000 students in 173 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. It delivers its courses through a network of over 89 offices and centres and more than 8,500 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development.