News

Once again, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) joined forces to deliver a virtual meeting, this time on Business Continuity Considerations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.The virtual meeting was held on Thursday, 28 May 2020, and served to share knowledge and experiences and discuss African country measures.

The workshop brought together more than 60 participants from 24 African countries, development co-operation agencies, civil society, as well as regional and international organization such as the West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF). The PCT Partners IMF and the World Bank also contributed to the workshop.

The potential duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic brings unique challenges in managing the many different elements involved in ensuring continuity of vital tax administration functions as well as the safety of staff and taxpayers.

The OECD’s Forum of Tax Administration (FTA) has provided an overview of strategies and measures that tax administrations may wish to consider to help ensure the delivery of their core functions and services during a period of possibly severe capacity constraints. Although most administrations will already have well-developed business continuity plans these may need some adjustments given the nature of the current pandemic and wider government responses.

For more information, please take a look at Centre for Tax Policy and Administration’s (CTPA) interactive module on COVID-19 Business Continuity Considerations using the materials published by the FTA.