Guidance on Implementation on FATCA and CRS

F. No. 500/137/2011-FTTR-III
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
FOREIGN TAX AND TAX RESEARCH DIVISION

New Delhi, 31st August, 2015

GUIDANCE NOTES ON IMPLEMENTATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER RULES 114F TO 114H OF THE INCOME-TAX RULES

1.1 New Global Standards on Automatic Exchange of Information

To combat the problem of offshore tax evasion and avoidance and stashing of unaccounted money abroad requiring cooperation amongst tax authorities, the G20 and OECD countries working together developed a Common Reporting Standard (CRS) on Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI). The CRS on AEOI was presented to G20 Leaders in Brisbane on 16th November, 2014. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India speaking on the occasion supported the new global standard as it would be instrumental in getting information about unaccounted money hoarded abroad and in its eventual repatriation. The CRS on AEOI requires the financial institutions of the “source” jurisdiction to collect and report information to their tax authorities about account holders “resident” in other countries, such information having to be transmitted “automatically’ on yearly basis. The information to be exchanged relates not only to individuals but also to shell companies and trusts having beneficial ownership or interest in the “resident” countries. Further, the reporting needs to be done for a wide range of financial products, by a wide variety of financial institutions, including banks, depository institutions, collective investment vehicles and insurance companies. The Standard and its Commentary are available at http://www.oecd.org/ctp/exchange-of-tax-information/standard-for­automatic-exchange-of-financial-information-in-tax-matters.htm.

Read Full Guidance Note

Document Revision List