International Tax Avoidance and Evasion with Special Reference to India

International tax avoidance and evasion is a serious problem in developing countries where the tax systems are still evolving. While it is true that international business operations are exposed to the risk of being subject to double taxation, such activities also provide various opportunities for tax avoidance and evasion. This paper analyses at the various methods adopted for international tax evasion and avoidance such as tax treaties, tax havens, and transfer pricing. It also examines the general causes of this evasion along with the detrimental impact that it has on the economy. In addition, it discusses the various estimates of tax evasion in India from time to time. While examining the history of taxation law amendments in India, it is seen that it is essentially a history of plugging loopholes, as and when discovered, to prevent leakages of revenue rather than making structural changes in the taxation system to strike at the root cause of the problem. India needs tougher laws and stricter enforcement of existing provisions to deal with the root causes of international tax evasion and avoidance.