IKV, in cooperation with Istanbul Kemerburgaz University and Munster University, organized a meeting entitled “Second Turkish-German Biennale on Tax Law” hosted by the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO). In this meeting, Automatic Exchange of Information (AEoI) and Prospects of Turkish-German Cooperation were discussed. 

IKV Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Çiğdem Nas delivered the opening speech of the Biennale which was held in ISO’s Assembly Hall. In her speech, she stressed that tax is a crucial concept for a fair and sustainable society and that it constitutes the most important source of income for governments. Furthermore, she also emphasized that automatic exchange of information is of critical importance with respect to the implementation of tax equity. IKV Secretary-General Nas also touched upon G20 studies conducted on this topic and stated that EU Member States have taken the necessary steps for the implementation of this standard at the EU level.

In her opening speech, Istanbul Kemerburgaz University Dean of the Faculty of Law Prof. Şükran Şıpka indicated they expect that the meeting will contribute to the International Tax Law area in general, and more specifically to enhance tax administrative cooperation between Turkey and Germany.

62 people have the same income of 3.6 billion people

In the context of the session entitled “International Developments and Their Reflection in Turkish-German Tax Cooperation”, AEoI Expert Group at the European Commission and Senior Analyst at TJN Markus Meinzer explained that economic inequalities are increasing rapidly in the world and that the richest 62 people in the world have the same income as 3.6 million people. He emphasized that whilst this number was 85 in 2014, capital is moving easily with global causes. He remarked that setting a common standard for global tax equity came up in 2012 firstly and Global Forum set a standard. Afterwards a more specialized standard was set under the OECD pressure in 2014. Meinzer also stressed that the Multilateral Exchange of Information (CRS) was signed in October 2014 and that at the present time, there are 79 signatory countries including Switzerland. On the other hand, Meinzer highlighted that the US is not party to the agreement.

Istanbul Kemerburgaz University Faculty of Law lecturer Assoc. Prof. Leyla Ateş participated at the session entitled “Legal bases and key issues of Turkish-German AEoI: Implementing the Standard in Turkey” and assessed AEoI and the double taxation agreements of Turkey. She also stated that within the framework of cross border tax administration cooperation, the scope subject to AEoI is being enlarged day by day and financial account information, nonfinancial categories, cross border advance rulings and spot price contracts on country basis reports will be subject to AEoI. As for Turkey, the only existing legal principle to AEoI is based on double taxation agreements. Leading to AEoI with tax haven countries depends on access to mutual administrative assistance in tax matters.

At the Turkish-German Biennale on International Tax Law, lecturer at Münster University Faculty of Law Prof. Joachim English, Prof. Michael Hendricks, German Ministry of Finance Head of Division for Direct Taxation Ernst Czakert, lecturer at Koç University Faculty of Law Prof. Billur Yaltı and Turkish Revenue Administration Head of EU and Foreign Relations Department Tahir Erdem also made presentations respectively.