Tax Evasion and Avoidance: Strategies and Initiatives ... (ISBN 0955354013)

An invaluable reference and resource:
Tax Evasion and Avoidance: Strategies and Initiatives Used by CATA Member Countries is a straightforward report of successful strategies and initiatives used by tax administrations worldwide, especially in Commonwealth countries, to prevent, detect, and respond to tax evasion and avoidance. Chapters discuss common economic and societal factors that contribute to tax evasion, and governmental techniques to counter tax evasion such as simplifying/amending tax law, applying penalties for promoters of tax-avoidance schemes, tax amnesties, risk-based audits, random audits, use of "mystery shopping", registering the tax base, voluntary disclosure programs, and much more. "In some cases, taxpayers may not pay their tax on time because of severe personal circumstance or have unintentionally provided incorrect information or made an honest mistake on their tax return. In these situations, if the tax administration came down heavily on the taxpayers with punishments and penalties, the taxpayers are likely to 'rebel' and lose respect for the tax authority - this is likely to have an impact on future compliance behavior as well. It is therefore not surprising that some tax administrations provide taxpayers with the opportunity to voluntarily disclose." An invaluable reference and resource especially for governmental policymakers in the sphere of tax laws, regulations, and procedural implementations.