Mediating with the taxman for amicable resolutions to tax disputes
Mediation works particularly well in countries that try to build a relationship between taxpayers and tax authorities that is based on trust and cooperation.
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ON AUG 7, 2019, in a ringing endorsement of Singapore's contributions, the United Nations made the historical decision of naming its Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation as the "Singapore Convention on Mediation". Since then, 52 countries have signed the Convention. The Singapore authorities have expressed hope that the Convention will put Singapore on the world map for mediation.
However, there remains a significant category of disputes that has yet to embrace mediation: disputes with the government. The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), for example, has yet to embrace mediation to resolve domestic tax disputes.
I believe that it is an appropriate time for IRAS to re-evaluate its apparent reticence towards mediation.
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