Minister of National Revenue concludes two days of meetings in London
September 9, 2014 London, England Canada Revenue Agency
The Honourable Kerry-Lynne D. Findlay, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of National Revenue, today wrapped up a successful two-day trip to London, England. During her visit, Minister Findlay met with David Gauke, Financial Secretary to the Treasury for the United Kingdom (U.K.) and responsible for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), as well as HMRC senior officials, members of the tax community, and other stakeholders.
During her discussions with Financial Secretary Gauke, Minister Findlay highlighted Government of Canada priorities with regard to tax compliance as well as support for small business. Canada is continuously looking for ways to enhance the exchange of information through negotiations of tax agreements, renegotiations of existing treaties, and enhancements of administrative arrangements with other countries. These efforts have led, for example, to the signing on July 21, 2014, of a protocol between Canada and the U.K. amending the Convention between our two governments for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital.
Information sharing with the U.K. was at the forefront of discussions between Minister Findlay and Financial Secretary Gauke to combat international tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance. By working together bilaterally and in multilateral fora, both jurisdictions can more effectively address global non-compliance with a strong and united front.
Minister Findlay and Financial Secretary Gauke discussed the importance of a fair and competitive tax environment for small business. Recognizing the importance of being able to determine the relative effectiveness of different approaches to promote tax compliance overall, Minister Findlay took the opportunity to be briefed on an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development project being led by the U.K. on methods and approaches to measure the success of compliance strategies. She congratulated HMRC on the work accomplished so far and looks forward to the public release of the report this fall.
Another priority for both the CRA and HMRC is the continued expansion of online options for individuals and businesses. Improved service supports voluntary compliance by reducing the burden and making it easier for taxpayers to meet their tax obligations. Minister Findlay was pleased to learn about the similarities between HMRC’s and CRA’s approach to e-services aimed at enabling taxpayers and businesses to self-serve online.
The minister also participated in a workshop hosted by the Canadian Tax Foundation and attended by Chartered Professional Accountants Canada as well as representatives from the U.K., Ireland, the Netherlands, and Canada. The workshop explored the benefits of a collaborative approach to compliance between tax administrations and intermediaries. The CRA has recently introduced innovative approaches that promote tax compliance through earlier and more collaborative interventions, direct support services and education and it continues to explore new and innovative ways to enhance voluntary compliance as well as to cut red tape and reduce the compliance burden.
While in London, Minister Findlay also met with officials from the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS), who acknowledged Canada's successful approach to reducing red tape, and the CRA and OTS have agreed to an on-going exchange of ideas. She visited the U.K.’s Tax Administration Research Centre, a partnership with academia partly funded by the U.K. tax administration, and confirmed Canada’s desire to explore opportunities to leverage their work over the coming years.
Rebecca Rogers
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of National Revenue
613-995-2960
Noël Carisse
Media Relations
Canada Revenue Agency
613-952-9184
