India Signs Multilateral Convention to curb tax evasion

28 Jan 2012 Evaluate

India and 31 countries have joined hands to ensure that individuals and multinational enterprises pay the right amount of tax, at the right time and in the right place. The convention sends a strong signal to individuals and companies that it will no longer be easy to evade taxes. It is of greater significance to India as it will give a further boost to the efforts of the Government in bringing the Indian money illegally stashed abroad.

The convention was signed by Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary, Foreign Tax & Tax Research Division, Department of Revenue. The instrument till now was available only for members of OECD and Council of Europe. It was amended in 2010 and is now open for all countries since June 2011. Many more countries are expected to sign the Convention in future.

This instrument is multilateral and a single legal basis for multi-country co-operation as against the DTAAs/TIEAs which are bilateral. It not only facilitates the exchange of information, but also provides for assistance in the recovery of taxes. It allows tax officials to enter into the territory of the other country to interview individuals and examine records. The Convention also allows exchange of past information in criminal tax matters. The information received under the convention can also be used for other purposes besides those related to tax co-operation, for example to counter money laundering with the approval of the supplying state.

Present signatories to the amended Convention are: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

 

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