(This article is from Tax-News, and we put it here only for our internal members to study and research. If it violates the author’s copyright, please send e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and we will delete it immediately.)

Panama on October became the 105th signatory to the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters.

The OECD, which sets global standards on tax information exchange and tax transparency, said the signing shows that Panama is now implementing its commitment to fully cooperate with the international community on transparency.

The Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes is expected to publish in early November a peer review assessment of how Panama's legal framework and practices over the last three years match up against existing international standards of transparency and exchange of information on request.

The forthcoming report will reflect Panama's past record on transparency issues. The signing, combined with very recent legislative changes opening the door for wide-ranging international cooperation, illustrates the good disposition and commitment by Panama to move forward in the area of tax transparency.

The Convention provides for all forms of administrative assistance in tax matters: exchange of information on request, spontaneous exchange, facilitating tax examinations abroad, simultaneous tax examinations, and assistance in tax collection. It guarantees extensive safeguards for the protection of taxpayers' rights. It also allows automatic exchange of information on option.

The OECD said the global Convention is seen as a critical instrument for swift implementation of the new Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters, developed by the OECD and G20 countries, which is slated to go into effect from 2017.

The opinions expressed do not constitute investment advice and specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Published on our website on Oct.28, 2016