Government officials from over 100 countries will meet next week in Montreal to discuss “Tax Administrations in an Electronic World”.

The conference aims to help tax authorities provide a fiscal environment in which electronic commerce can flourish and governments can capture revenues. Canada Customs and Revenue Agency is hosting the conference.

Hon. Martin Cauchon, the Minister of National Revenue, is scheduled to open the conference. The 100 countries and 350 senior officials will examine and debate the key tax administration issues raised by electronic commerce with a view to developing a global taxation framework.

Conference attendees will learn practical approaches to electronic commerce, in terms of identifying, auditing and assessing taxpayers and collecting tax due. They will also identify new Internet opportunities for providing taxpayer service

Delegates will also explore the scope for the development of common standards and best practice in tax administration, and identify outstanding issues in this area.

“We are particularly pleased at the level of representatives and at the strong participation from the Latin America, Africa and Asia regions,” says Jeffrey Owens, head of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Centre for Tax Policy and Administration. “Large multinationals increasingly operate globally and so must tax administrations engage in a global dialogue. This is not only in the interest of governments, but also taxpayers.”