As governments worldwide look for ways to raise revenues to finance their budgets, there is a clear shift emerging from direct to indirect taxes. Simultaneously, organisations have started to look into indirect tax management as a means to become more cost-efficient.

VAT and GST presently exist in over 150 countries and many other countries are planning to introduce consumption tax regimes.

Comprising of a two day conference and two half day pre conference workshops, our inaugural Global Indirect Tax Summit will focus on indirect tax developments mainly in OECD and EU countries, but not exclusively, and how these developments will impact your organisation.

WHO WILL YOU MEET?
-Industry Indirect Tax Key Experts
-Regulators
-Government Tax Officials
-Tax Advisors
-Law Firms
-Consultancies

Hot Topics to be Discussed

This must-attend industry event in London will include the following and much more:
-Overview of Indirect Tax Systems: Key Developments from Around the World and How this Affects your Business
-The EU Commission Perspective: From Strategic Forward-Looking Programmes to Short-Term Initiatives
-Indirect Tax Developments: What are the Challenges, Opportunities and Implications for Your Organisation
-VAT/GST Developments: Overview of Key Structural and Operational Changes and Its Impact On Your Business
-Indirect Taxes, International Trade and World Customs Duties: Managing Your Business Risks & Avoiding Disputes
-Indirect Tax Compliance Strategies: How to Keep Up-to-Date and Compliant
-Driving Indirect Tax Efficiencies through Shared Service Centres
-Minimising the Financial and Logistical Challenges of Managing Indirect Taxes
-Managing Indirect Tax in a Global Organisation
-E-Commerce and e-Invoicing: Leveraging Electronic Invoicing Methods to Reduce Obstacles and Costs
-Efficiently Adapting your ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Systems to Comply with the Various Tax Administrations’ Obligations


PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS – MORNING AND AFTERNOON 5th MARCH 2012

Driving Indirect Tax Efficiencies through Shared Service Centres – Morning of 5th March 2012
Attend this morning workshop and learn how to:
•Enhance your organisation’s VAT/GST reporting structure and its underlying processes - post the centralising of the accounting, tax and finance functions into a shared service centre
•Utilise a shared service centre towards indirect tax compliance, increased efficiency and effectiveness whilst reducing overhead costs, risks and penalty costs.
•Apply successful practical experiences on VAT and Shared Service Centres in your business

Successfully Preparing for VAT Audits – Afternoon of 5th March 2012
In just one afternoon you will discover how to:
•Ensure your business has policies and procedures in place to prevent VAT or customs assessments and litigation
•Devise a strategic approach to answer tax authorities’ questions
•Master tax provision calculations
•Effectively manage your relation with VAT authorities while protecting your company’s interests
•Use winning tactics to minimise any financial impact or liabilities during an inspection
•Set up internal control procedures to prepare for unannounced VAT or customs inspections

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS MONDAY 5 MARCH 2012

10:00 – 13:00 Workshop A:
Driving Indirect Tax Efficiencies through Shared Service Centres
Enhancing your organisation’s VAT/GST reporting structure and its underlying processes - post the centralising of the accounting, tax and finance functions into a shared service centre
Utilising a shared service centre towards indirect tax compliance, increased efficiency and effectiveness whilst reducing overhead costs, risks and penalty costs
Applying successful practical experiences on VAT and Shared Service Centres in your business
Carron McKinney, Senior International Tax Manager, Palm Global Business Unit, HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY

Ronan Collins, Indirect Tax Manager, PFIZER GLOBAL FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

13:00 – 14:00 60 Minute Networking Recess
14:00 - 17:00 Workshop B:
Successfully Preparing for VAT Audits
Understanding what are the potential risks and liabilities regarding VAT
Ensuring your business has policies and procedures in place to prevent VAT or customs assessments and litigation
Devising a strategic approach to answer tax authorities’ questions
Mastering tax provision calculations
Effectively managing your relation with VAT authorities while protecting your company’s interests
Mike Molony, Director, International VAT Consulting, MERIDIAN
DAY 1 TUESDAY 6 MARCH 2012

08:15 – 09:00 Registration, Coffee and Networking
09:00 – 09:15 Chairman’s Welcome & Opening Remarks
Prof. Dr. Han Kogels, Secretary General, INTERNATIONAL FISCAL ASSOCIATION-IFA; Em. Professor of European Tax Law, ERASMUS UNIVERSITY ROTTERDAM

Indirect Taxes Global Overview
09:15 – 10:00 Overview of Indirect Tax Systems: Key Developments from Around the World and How this Affects your Business
Implications of the current global financial crisis on indirect taxation
Reviewing key changes in indirect taxation in the world's largest consumer markets
Expected challenges and opportunities
Chris Lenon, Global Head of Tax, RIO TINTO

10:00 – 10:30 Speed Networking

10:30 – 10:50 Coffee Break

Indirect Taxes Latest Policy Developments
10:50 – 11:35 The OECD Perspective: Vision and Strategy for 2020
The role of VAT in exiting from the crisis
Dealing with perceptions of unfairness
Avoiding that VAT becomes a barrier to cross border trade
The role of tax in climate change
Jeffrey Owens, Director, Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, OECD

11:35 - 12:35 Panel Discussion
Indirect Tax Developments: Key Changes, Challenges, Opportunities and Implications for Your Organisation
Visions, strategies, initiatives and proposals: The challenge of keeping up with developments
Opportunities to influence developments at the OECD, in the EU and in the domestic setting
Exerting Influence: Whether to do so and what are the implications
Why is dialogue and cooperation key when it comes to VAT? And what can business and tax administrations achieve out of it?
Mike Cunningham, Senior Policy Advisor, VAT & International Excise, HM TREASURY
Karl-Heinz Haydl, VAT Manager CEE & European VAT Policy Leader, GE
Navin Jain, General Manager - Corporate Reporting and Taxation, CAIRN ENERGY
Carron McKinney, Senior International Tax Manager, Palm Global Business Unit, HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY

12:35 - 13:45 Networking Luncheon with Themed Roundtables
Roundtable 1: OECD Regulatory Developments
Roundtable 2: EU Regulatory Developments
Roundtable 3: Emerging Markets Developments
Roundtable 4: VAT/GST Management
Roundtable 5: Risk Management Strategies
Roundtable 6: Legal Challenges & Compliance Strategies
Indirect Taxes Legal Challenges, Compliance & Appeal Strategies
13:45 –
14:30

Indirect Tax Compliance Strategies: Keeping Up-to-Date and Compliant and Getting the Exercise Balance Right
Being in control – a change of mindset
How to maximise indirect tax controls in processes
Avoiding uncertainty that may lead to errors and disputes with tax administrations
Enabling enhanced relationships
Feddo Betist, Indirect Tax Lead Planning, Policies & Practice, SHELL INTERNATIONAL B.V.

14:30
– 15:15
Indirect Taxes, International Trade and World Customs Duties: Managing Your Business Risks & Avoiding Disputes
C-TPAT / AEO
Customs duties, import taxes and relief programmes
Export controls, inherent supply chain challenges and avoiding non-compliance
Peter Milbourne, Director, Global Indirect Taxes, ASTRAZENECA

15:15
– 15:45
Networking Coffee Break
15:45 – 16:30
Preparing a Winning Appeal to a Tax Tribunal
What to do and what not to do when appearing before a Tax Tribunal
Appealing against the tax tribunal decision
What happens after your appeal?
Don Mavin, Director, MAVIN & CO

16:30 – 16:45 Chairman’s Closing Remarks
Prof. Dr. Han Kogels, Secretary General, INTERNATIONAL FISCAL ASSOCIATION-IFA; Em. Professor of European Tax Law, ERASMUS UNIVERSITY ROTTERDAM
Day 1 Adjourns

DAY 2 WEDNESDAY 7 MARCH 2011

08:30 – 09:15 Registration, Coffee and Networking
09:15 – 09:30 Chairman’s Opening Remarks
Prof. Dr. Han Kogels, Secretary General, INTERNATIONAL FISCAL ASSOCIATION-IFA; Em. Professor of European Tax Law, ERASMUS UNIVERSITY ROTTERDAM

Indirect Taxes Management Strategies
09:30 – 10:15 Ground-Breaking Indirect Tax Risk Management Strategies
In a complex and dynamic tax world, what are the types and nature of indirect tax risks today? Does an organisation need tax risk policy?
Securing organizational interests by balancing tax opportunities (upsides) with likely costs (downside): Role of tax planning in tax risk management; most efficient tools available; creating a global VAT network to leverage shared planning practices
Proactively identifying indirect tax risks in operations, transactions etc. and mitigating if not eliminating these tax risks before they turn into tax disputes
How to quantify tax risks and disputes and continuously assess changing risks? Effective monitoring approaches
Streamlining processes including returns through outsourcing and/or automation technologies
Anthony Fernandes, Senior Vice President & Group Head – Indirect Taxation, ESSAR GROUP

10:15 – 11:00 Indirect Tax Challenges in Commodity Trading and Complex Cross Border Chains
Overview of key indirect tax issues in cross border commodity trades
Understanding the factors affecting indirect tax implications in commodity chains
Compliance risks in cross border trading
Review of some recent ECJ case law: Eurotyre and Facet BV
Reshma C. Sharma, Manager, Indirect Tax, MORGAN STANLEY

11:00 - 11:30 Networking Break & Refreshments

11:30
–
12:30 Panel Discussion
Minimising the Financial and Logistical Challenges of Managing Indirect Taxes
Ensuring strategic planning to reduce indirect tax liabilities, and improve cash flow and supply chain management
Aligning indirect tax issues with your company’s strategy
Managing indirect taxes changes while delivering long-term value
Strategic global indirect tax management: Making the most of exemptions, securing reclaims and minimising losses & risks
Managing diverse tax management demands in emerging markets
Ruth Felsing, Global Head of VAT/GST-Taxation, AMERICAN EXPRESS
Daniel Broekhuizen, General Manager, International Tax and Internal Audit Division, TOYOTA MOTOR EUROPE
Hafiz Choudhury, Program Advisor, INTERNATIONAL TAX & INVESTMENT CENTER - ITIC

12:30 –
13:45 Networking Luncheon with Themed Roundtables
Roundtable 1: OECD Regulatory Developments
Roundtable 2: EU Regulatory Developments
Roundtable 3: Emerging Markets Developments
Roundtable 4: VAT/GST Management
Roundtable 5: Risk Management Strategies
Roundtable 6: Legal Challenges & Compliance Strategies
E-Commerce & Taxation
13:45 - 14:30
Panel Discussion
Successfully & Adequately Managing Audits
Setting up internal control procedures to prepare for VAT or customs inspections
Using winning tactics to minimise any financial impact or liabilities during an inspection
Best practices emerging from key global jurisdictions
Stuart Martin, Indirect Tax Senior Manager, MORGAN STANLEY
Fiona Heron, Group Indirect Tax Manager, VOLKSWAGEN GROUP
Ronan Collins, Indirect Tax Manager, PFIZER GLOBAL FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS

Indirect Taxes & Shared Service Centres
14:30 –
15:15
E-Commerce and e-Invoicing: Leveraging Electronic Invoicing Methods to Reduce Obstacles and Costs
EU directive on VAT electronic invoicing and implications
Mini one-stop shop
Issuing and storing e-invoices
Supply of digital services via mobile phones
Cross-border invoicing arrangements
15:15 – 15:45 Networking Break & Refreshments

Indirect Taxes & ERP Systems
15:45 –
16:30 Using Shared Service Centres (SSC) as an Operating Model to Support Indirect Tax Compliance, Growth, and Profitability
Putting in place adequate compliance controls to maximise transparency
Transferring VAT functionality to SSCs and hence saving time to efficiently set up and implement your VAT strategy
Automating VAT decisions through SSCs to streamline filing and payment and reduce effort and errors
Gonçalo Rodelo, VAT Advisor, VODAFONE

16:30 – 16:45 Chairman’s Closing Remarks
Prof. Dr. Han Kogels, Secretary General, INTERNATIONAL FISCAL ASSOCIATION-IFA; Em. Professor of European Tax Law, ERASMUS UNIVERSITY ROTTERDAM
Conference Adjourns

Mr. Jeffrey Owens
Director, Centre for Tax Policy and Administration
OECD

Mr. Mike Cunningham
Senior Policy Advisor, VAT & International Excise
HM Treasury

Ms. Ruth Felsing
Global Head of VAT/GST
American Express

Mr. Navin Jain
General Manager - Corporate Reporting and Taxation
Cairn Energy

Mr. Anthony Fernandes
Senior Vice President & Group Head – Indirect Taxation
ESSAR Group

Mr. Karl-Heinz Haydl
VAT Manager CEE & European VAT Policy Leader
GE

Ms. Carron McKinney
Senior International Tax Manager
Hewlett Packard

Prof. Han Kogels
Secretary General
International Fiscal Association - IFA


Mr. Hafiz Choudhury
Program Advisor
International Tax & Investment Centre - ITIC

Mr. Don Mavin
Director
Mavin & Co

Mr. Mike Molony
Director, International VAT Consulting
Meridian Global Services

Ms. Reshma C. Sharma
Manager, Indirect Tax
Morgan Stanley

Mr. Stuart Martin
Morgan Stanley

Mr. Ronan Collins
Indirect Tax Manager
Pfizer Inc.

Mr. Chris Lenon
Global Head of Tax
Rio Tinto

Mr. Feddo Betist
Indirect Tax Lead Planning, Policies & Practice
Shell

Mr. Daniel Broekhuizen
General Manager, International Tax and Internal Audit Division
Toyota Motor Europe NV

Mr. Gonçalo Rodelo
VAT Advisor
Vodafone

Ms. Fiona Heron
Group Indirect Tax Manager
Volkswagen Group UK