FIRS Boss Becomes Member Of UN Tax Body

The secretary-general of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon has appointed the executive chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, member of the UN Committee of experts on international cooperation in tax matters. The appointment which is on a part-time basis, requiring attendance in a 5 day meeting once a year, is to last for four years. According to a letter dated 20th August 2009, and signed by the UN – Under-secretary-general Sha Zukange Ifueko would with other global experts on tax matters discuss and fashion international policies in taxation for greater international cooperation and human development. Federal Inland Revenue Service special adviser on communication to executive chairman, John Edemode said “the mandate of the committee is to keep under review and update as necessary the United Nation’s Model Double Taxation Convention between developed and developing countries and the manual for negotiation of bilateral tax treaties between developed and developing countries”. It is to provide a framework for dialogue with a view to enhancing and promoting international tax cooperation among national tax authorities, as well as consider how new and merging issues could affect international cooperation in tax matters and develop assessment, commentaries and appropriate recommendations on capacity building and provision of technical assistance to developing countries. He also pointed out that special attention will be given to developing counties with economies in transition.