OTR bets on synergy between various tax authorities to fight tax fraud

Economic governance

Tuesday, 06 November 2018 17:41

OTR bets on synergy between various tax authorities to fight tax fraud

(Togo First) - Lomé is currently hosting until November 9 a regional seminar on ways to counter tax fraud. Organized by the International Monetary Fund's Regional Technical Assistance for West Africa (AFRITAC WEST - AFW), the seminar’s theme is “Fighting tax fraud efficiently”.

The general commissioner of Togo’s Revenue Office (OTR), Kodzo Adedze, who expressed himself at the seminar’s opening put emphasis on working in synergy. He believes “synergy between tax administrations is a major lever to efficiently fight tax fraud”.

Indeed, he adds that, still in line with the same objective, “information sharing (Between tax administrations – ed. note) can help clear suspicions in the case of tax fraud”. This, according to the official will improve control of declared goods from a point A to point B, and fight tax fraud more efficiently.

Also, “our tax offices must have a control mechanism that relies on data collection and risk assessment”, he concluded.

Séna Akoda

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At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

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Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

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In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

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