Peer-to-Peer Learning on Strengthening Collaboration Between Tax and Anti-Money Laundering Authorities

The IMF’s Legal Department in collaboration with the World Bank and the OECD engaged in a peer-to-peer learning event on the topic of Strengthening Collaboration Between Tax and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Authorities for Improved Revenue Enforcement and Financial Crimes Investigations. The event took place from October 28-30 and brought together 22 representatives of AML, anti-corruption and tax authorities from 9 countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus. 

The program relied less on traditional lectures and more on the sharing of experiences by participants on the benefits and challenges of greater collaboration and information-sharing between tax and AML authorities. Discussions centered on the desirability of developing and institutionalizing a “whole of government” approach which posits that addressing financial crime and revenue losses were a common responsibility of governmental agencies. Participants were candid on legal and operational obstacles to information sharing (including, for example, cultural and trust issues). Participants also presented excellent case studies on examples of successful collaborations between tax and AML investigatory authorities, including through the use of joint investigation centres and sharing of information between the tax and AML authorities.

Discussion also covered those areas of tax policy that can have AML implications, such as Voluntary Tax Compliance programs and Free Trade or Economic Zones. The participants also learned about the World Bank’s risk assessment module which evaluates the national risks of tax crimes as well as the OECD’s Tax Crime Trust Maturity Model, which facilitates jurisdictions self-assessing the operational obstacles to information sharing. 

Response to the program was very positive, with participants enjoying the more facilitation-led discussions. The program also leveraged the excellent working relationships between the Fund, World Bank and the OECD and benefitted immensely from the deep expertise of these partners.

Robin Sykes, Senior Counsel, Legal Department, IMF