Tax Task Force Meeting, New York City 2004

In November 2004, the Tax Task Force convened for the first time with the support of the UNDP. At the meeting, expert practitioners and academics explored why tax policy in developing countries varies so greatly from policies in wealthy countries and from theoretical predictions. Participants compared the experiences of Brazil, Pakistan, and India. These case studies led to discussions on how information technology, tax administration, and corruption affect tax policy. The task force outlined a list of other countries to review and a plan for augmenting existing literature on tax policy and administration in the developing world. The next meeting, scheduled for March 2005 in Cancun, Mexico, will bring together tax specialists from a range of emerging market countries.