Plans to allow the tax authorities to require online businesses to disclose customer personal data and transactions have been unveiled by the Ministry of Finance.

The proposals aim to limit tax evasion in e-commerce, reflecting the large growth in unregistered business being conducted online. They will apply to all forms of e-commerce including online auctions as well as to banks and sellers of advertising space.

Businesses may appeal against demands for information by the tax authorities. Otherwise, they face a fine for failure to provide it on demand without a valid justification.

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The original publication date for this article was 16/02/2009.