The Cook Islands have signed the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. The Convention, signed today, together with the [Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information](http://www.oecd.org/tax/automatic-exchange/international-framework-for-the-crs/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Multilateral%20Competent%20Authority%20Agreement&utm_campaign=Tax%20News%20Alert%2028-10-2016&utm_term=demo) which the Cook Islands signed in October 2015, will enable the jurisdiction to fulfil its commitment to begin the first of such exchanges by 2018.
The [Convention](http://www.oecd.org/ctp/exchange-of-tax-information/convention-on-mutual-administrative-assistance-in-tax-matters.htm?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Multilateral%20Convention%20on%20Mutual%20Administrative%20Assistance%20in%20Tax%20Matters&utm_campaign=Tax%20News%20Alert%2028-10-2016&utm_term=demo) is the most powerful instrument for international tax cooperation. It provides for all forms of administrative assistance in tax matters: exchange of information on request, spontaneous exchange, automatic exchange, tax examinations abroad, simultaneous tax examinations and assistance in tax collection. It guarantees extensive safeguards for the protection of taxpayers’ rights.
[OECD Release](http://www.oecd.org/tax/the-cook-islands-become-the-106th-jurisdiction-to-join-the-most-powerful-international-instrument-against-offshore-tax-evasion-and-avoidance.htm?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=The%20Cook%20Islands%20become%20the%20106th%20jurisdiction%20to%20join%20the%20most%20powerful%20international%20instrument%20ag&utm_campaign=Tax%20News%20Alert%2028-10-2016&utm_term=demo)
##New Brochure on OECD Work on Taxation##
The OECD also has released a new publication that highlights the key areas of work of its Centre for Tax Policy and Administration and the various groups that it serves.
[Brochure](http://www.oecd.org/tax/centre-for-tax-policy-and-administration-brochure.pdf?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=New%20brochure%20describes%20OECD%20work%20on%20taxation&utm_campaign=Tax%20News%20Alert%2028-10-2016&utm_term=demo)