Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) Programme

Subject : International Relations

Context : Recently, the Ministry of Finance has announced that Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) programme was launched in Bhutan.

Concept :

Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB)

It is a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
It was launched at the Third Financing for Development conference in Addis Ababa in 2015.
It was widely hailed as capable of assisting developing countries mobilize much-needed domestic revenues in support of the post-2015 sustainable development agenda.
It facilitates targeted, tax audit assistance programmes in developing countries across the globe.
It is a strong response to the attention given to effective and efficient mobilisation of domestic resources in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to strengthen international tax co-operation.
The joint OECD/UNDP TIWB Secretariat is based in Paris and supported by UNDP’s network of Country Offices in developing countries.

TIWB in Bhutan

It is expected to be of about 24 months’ duration.
Under the programme, India in collaboration with the UNDP and the TIWB Secretariat aims to aid Bhutan in strengthening its tax administration.
India will transfer the technical know-how and skills to its tax auditors, and through sharing of best audit practices.
The focus of the programme will be in the area of International Taxation and Transfer Pricing.