Senior Tax Administration Officials from Southern Africa Reviewed Approaches to Analyzing Tax Compliance at the IMF's AFRITAC South

The International Monetary Fund’s Africa Regional Technical Assistance Center South (AFRITAC South) held a Tax Gap Analysis seminar in Johannesburg, South Africa, from June 25 to 28, 2012. The seminar attracted senior tax administration officials involved in compliance management and research and planning. The seminar was attended by officials from 12 AFRITAC South member countries—Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

During the seminar, participants had the opportunity to share information about their current data collection and analytical activities and learn from recognized experts about international experiences in tax gap and tax compliance analysis. The seminar also provided a good setting for developing networks for cross-border collaboration in the development of tax gap models, as well as identification of solutions to tax administration challenges generally.

“Strengthening the revenue base is key for resource mobilization for sustainable development, poverty reduction, and resilience of public finances to shocks. The seminar on gauging tax compliance is an important milestone in AFRITAC South’s efforts to assist its member countries in strengthening revenue mobilization. The discussed analytical tools will help participants analyze the sources of the so-called tax gaps and elaborate strategies for reducing leakages in the tax systems,” Mr. Vitaliy Kramarenko, AFRITAC South coordinator, said at the conclusion of the seminar.

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Press Release No. 11/364: IMF Opens Fourth Regional Technical Assistance Center in Africa

Press release No. 12/104: IMF’s Southern Africa Regional Technical Assistance Center to Increase Capacity-Building Activities in the Year Ahead and Seeks $19 Million Additional Donor Funding for a Further Scaling-Up

Factsheet: IMF Technical Assistance

Factsheet: IMF Regional Technical Assistance Centers