In this Preliminary Report, Towards Greater Fairness in Taxation: A Model Taxpayer Charter, the Asia-Oceania Tax Consultants Association (AOTCA), Confédération Fiscale Européenne (CFE) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) have collaborated on the development of a Model Taxpayer Charter. The provisions were derived from a survey of taxpayer rights and responsibilities in 37 countries, collectively representing over 73 per cent of world GDP. The overriding purposes of the Charter are to foster a relationship of mutual trust, respect and responsibility between taxpayers and the State, regarding taxpayers' obligations to the State; and, on behalf of the State as to the rights of taxpayers, to codify certain duties of the tax administration Through these means, it is suggested that it will reduce the costs of compliance, increase the quality and efficacy of willing compliance, and ensure that all taxpayers are treated equally and without bias or preference. The purpose of this preliminary report is to obtain input on the preliminary Model Taxpayer Charter through an extensive worldwide consultation process, in order to refine it and produce a final product that reflects a global consensus.
