Technical Assistance Reports
2024
September 13, 2024
United Kingdom-Montserrat-British Overseas Territory: Technical Assistance Report-Report on External Sector Statistics Mission (March 18–28, 2024)
Description: A technical assistance (TA) mission on external sector statistics (ESS) was conducted for the Statistics Department of Montserrat (SDM), during March 18–28, 2024. The mission was undertaken as part of the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC) work program on ESS. The main purpose of this mission was to assist the SDM in extrapolating the results of the Visitor Expenditure Survey (VES) conducted by the SDM and Montserrat Tourism Division (MTD). The purpose of the VES was to enhance estimates of travel services credits recorded in the current account of the balance of payments (BOP).
September 11, 2024
Republic of Armenia: Technical Assistance Report-Corporate Income Tax Gap Estimation Based on Operational Audits
Description: This report presents estimates of the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) gap for Armenia for the period 2020–2022. The CIT gap is based on a bottom-up approach using operational audits. The average CIT gap in Armenia is estimated at 26.4-35.2 percent of potential CIT liability.
September 4, 2024
Panama: Technical Assistance Report-Follow-Up on Stress Testing – Parts 2 and 3
Description: During two visits in 2023-24, the IMF mission implemented a set of recommendations made by a previous technical assistance mission in May 2022 which were aimed at improving the solvency stress model of the Superintendency of Banks, Panama (SBP). The mission also provided training on the design of a cash flow-based liquidity stress tool and another system-level liquidity stress testing methodology. During a follow-up mission, work was carried out on market risk and corporate risk, and the methodology for the liquidity stress test that was used during the 2023 Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) with Panama was anchored at the SBP.
August 23, 2024
Sri Lanka: Technical Assistance Report-Property Taxation at the National and Subnational Level
Description: This report analyzes Sri Lanka’s options for improving the fairness and progressivity of the tax system through the introduction of a nationwide property tax. Given constitutional constraints that limit the taxation of property at the central government level, it recommends taxing the imputed rental value of owner-occupied housing. With a suitable exemption threshold and a progressive tax rate structure, such a tax can support fiscal consolidation by raising revenue from the most affluent members of Sri Lanka’s society while introducing little distortions. Implementation and enforcement of the tax will require substantive investments in data infrastructure, including through the introduction of a digital sales price and rents register. The report also outlines options for improving the fairness and revenue productivity of subnational assessment rates (local property taxes) and suggests additional reforms that can complement the taxation of real property at the national and subnational level.
August 23, 2024
Sri Lanka: Technical Assistance Report-Repeal of Simplified Value Added Tax and the Transition to Risk-Based Value Added Tax Refund Processing
Description: This report summarizes an expert visit on VAT refunds that provided Inland Revenue Department officials with examples of good international practice in VAT refund management and risk management.
August 16, 2024
Republic of Uzbekistan: Technical Assistance Report-Report on National Accounts Mission (July 24–August 4, 2023)
Description: A technical assistance mission assisted the Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (SA) in conducting a major revision of national accounts time series. Based on the results of the 2023 survey on non-observed economy (NOE) in hotels, restaurants, and other services, the 2024 major revision increases the nominal GDP for 2017–2023 in the range of 10–12 percent. The mission reviewed the results of the 2024 major revision and provided recommendations for improvement before their publication. These improvements to data and methods will improve the understanding of the Uzbekistan economy, both for domestic policymaking and international surveillance.
August 16, 2024
Republic of Uzbekistan: Technical Assistance Report-Report on National Accounts Mission (April 8-12, 2024)
Description: A technical assistance mission assisted the Statistics Agency under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (SA) in conducting a major revision of national accounts time series. Based on the results of the 2023 survey on non-observed economy (NOE) in hotels, restaurants, and other services, the 2024 major revision increases the nominal GDP for 2017–2023 in the range of 10–12 percent. The mission reviewed the results of the 2024 major revision and provided recommendations for improvement before their publication. These improvements to data and methods will improve the understanding of the Uzbekistan economy, both for domestic policymaking and international surveillance.
August 16, 2024
Republic of Palau: Technical Assistance Report-Managing Government Employment and Compensation-Update
Description: Upon the authorities’ request, the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department provided technical assistance to Palau on implementing the recommendations of the technical report produced by the November 2023 mission on government compensation and employment. The creation of the Employment and Compensation Committee (ECC) demonstrated the authorities’ commitment to reform and the mission supports the authorities’ proposal to reorganize the ECC into a Steering Committee and a Working Group. Before awarding pay increases to address issues of recruitment and retention, the government needs to assess its fiscal space and determine its expenditure priorities. The importance of systematically and prominently advertising vacancies online cannot be overstated. Human resource laws and regulations are generally fit for purpose, but current practices governing new position creation and recruitment merit review by the ECC with support from FAD.
August 14, 2024
Republic of Armenia: Technical Assistance Report-Tax Compliance and Crypto Assets
Description: Armenia has committed to the adoption of the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework. To give effect it will need to enact legislation. An eight-step roadmap for implementation was developed. It sets out each activity, assigns responsibilities and sets timelines.
August 9, 2024
Solomon Islands: Technical Assistance Report-Central Bank Risk Management
Description: This report provides an overview of the assistance provided by the IMF to the Central Bank of Solomon Islands on enhancing its risk management in line with international best practices for central banks.