There are a number of further examples this month of the growing theme around the globe of tax authorities increasing tax revenues, not by raising tax rates, but by broadening the tax base and clamping down on tax avoidance. There continues to be plenty of activity in the area of EU law, including various actions by the European Commission and some important cases on the topic of withholding tax on portfolio dividends. The Chinese tax authorities are exploring the possibility of setting up an advance ruling system with an initial pilot scheme being run.