OECD releases Version 2.0 of GIR XML Schema. 22 October, 2026 The OECD has released Version 2.0 of the Pillar Two GloBE Information Return XML Schema, incorporating Side-by-Side Package changes and technical updates, with mandatory use for international exchanges from June 2028. The OECD published an updated user guide and XML schema for the Pillar Two GloBE Information Return (GIR) on 20 October 2026. Version 2.0 reflects recent changes to the GIR made after the adoption of the Side-by-Side Package. It also includes technical upgrades to support future information exchanges. This documentation provides technical standards and instructions for tax administrations and multinational enterprise groups regarding the automatic exchange and domestic filing of tax calculation data. It details the schema's structural hierarchy, which encompasses message headers, entity identification categories, corporate structure summaries, and top-up tax allocations. Purpose and regulatory context The Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) Model Rules under Pillar Two require Multinational Enterprise (MNE) Groups to file an annual GloBE Information Return (GIR) detailing their top-up tax calculations under the Global Minimum Tax regime. To establish a consistent technical standard across implementing jurisdictions, the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework on BEPS developed the GIR XML Schema and User Guide. The primary objective of the XML schema is to facilitate the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) between tax administrations under bilateral or multilateral agreements, such as the GloBE Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (GIR MCAA). 2026 revisions and evolution of the schema The GIR XML schema has progressed through multiple key updates to keep pace with evolving guidance: * July 2023: Agreement by the Inclusive Framework on a standardised GIR template. * 15 January 2025 (Version 1.0): Updated to incorporate technical clarifications, administrative guidance from December 2023 and June 2024, and exchange notification templates. * 11 September 2026: Revised to integrate the Side-by-Side Package (adopted on 5 January 2026) alongside further technical refinements. * 14 October 2026 (Version 2.0): Formally approved by the Inclusive Framework on BEPS as the updated October 2026 User Guide for Schema Version 2.0. Implementation timeline & version transition The User Guide sets two schema versions with a hard handover: * Version 1.0, released in January 2025, governs standard GIR exchanges during the initial rollout and stays in use until 15 June 2028. * Version 2.0, released this month (October 2026), takes over from 25 June 2028 for all exchanges. The catch is that 2.0 also applies to amendments and corrections of returns first exchanged under 1.0, so a late correction to an early filing will have to be submitted in the newer format. International exchange vs. domestic filing The XML schema supports both international exchange of GIR filings under a Central Filing Framework (GIR401/GIR402) and domestic reporting under a Local Filing Framework (GIR403-GIR405), with local filings excluded from international exchange. Structural architecture of the schema The GIR XML schema is split into three layers: a header, a set of shared identifier types, and the GloBE body where the real content sits. The message header carries the routing and filing metadata: which tax authorities are sending and receiving, when the message was created, the Reporting Fiscal Year, and whether the report is original, corrected, or nil. The ID and TIN types standardise how entities are identified. They cover Tax Identification Numbers for Constituent Entities, Joint Ventures, JV Subsidiaries, and Ultimate Parent Entities, so every later section refers to the same entities in the same way. The GloBE body has five sub-sections, which run from broad to granular: * Filing Info covers group reporting arrangements, corporate changes, accounting standards, and filing frameworks. * The General Section maps the MNE Group's corporate hierarchy and names the recipient jurisdictions. * Summary gives the high-level picture per jurisdiction: how the GloBE rules apply, ETR ranges, safe harbour status, and top-up tax figures. * Jurisdiction Section is the detailed layer, with ETR calculations, covered tax adjustments, safe harbour elections, and top-up tax allocations, one jurisdiction at a time. * UTPR Attribution calculates how top-up tax under the Undertaxed Profits Rule is allocated across the participating jurisdictions.

Ethics month dialogue highlights need for ethical leadership and institutional trust. Johannesburg, South Africa, 14 October 2026 - Earlier this month, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), in partnership with the OECD, hosted a high-level Ethics Month dialogue focused on the role of ethics, integrity and leadership in strengthening trust in South Africa's institutions. The discussion took place against the backdrop of a country grappling with profound questions about governance, accountability and public confidence in institutions. Participants reflected on the broader national conversation unfolding across South Africa, including issues being examined through the Madlanga Commission, concerns regarding public sector governance, and the ongoing challenge of restoring trust in institutions at a time when citizens continue to demand greater transparency, accountability and ethical leadership. A recurring theme throughout the engagement was that ethics must extend beyond compliance and regulation. Participants emphasised that ethical leadership is ultimately tested when institutions and leaders are faced with difficult decisions, competing interests and heightened public scrutiny. They further noted that public trust is not sustained through policy alone, but through consistent conduct, principled decision-making and a demonstrated commitment to serving the public interest. The dialogue also considered the importance of ethical governance as South Africa prepares for future local government elections and continues efforts to strengthen confidence in public institutions. Discussions highlighted that rebuilding trust requires a collective commitment from leaders in government, business, the professions and civil society to uphold integrity, transparency and accountability in both word and action. SAICA believes these conversations remain particularly important at a time when South Africans are asking fundamental questions about how institutions can become more responsive, credible and trusted. Ethics Month served as an important reminder that strong institutions depend not only on robust frameworks and oversight mechanisms, but on the values and behaviours of those entrusted to lead them. About SAICA The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), South Africa's pre-eminent accountancy body, is recognised as the world's leading accounting institute and is home to the leading CA designation in the world. The Institute provides a wide range of support services to more than 60 000 members and associates who are chartered accountants (CAs[SA]), as well as associate general accountants (AGAs[SA]) and accounting technicians (ATs[SA]), who hold positions as CEOs, MDs, board directors, business owners, chief financial officers, auditors and leaders in every sphere of commerce and industry, and who play a significant role in the nation's highly dynamic business sector and economic development. SAICA is a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW), a global family that connects over 1,8 million fellow Chartered Accountants and students in more than 190 countries. Together, SAICA International support, develop, and promote the role of Chartered Accountants as trusted business leaders, difference makers, and advisers. SAICA media contact Kgauhelo Dioka, ***@saica.co.za or +27 68 087 1867 Manager: Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Engagement SAICA Strategic Affairs division

Vice-Minister Misumi attended the first in-person OECD DFFT Community of Experts and Senior Officials Meeting. On October 19, 2026, Vice-Minister for Digital Transformation Misumi attended the first in-person OECD DFFT Community of Experts and Senior Officials Meeting, held on October 19 and 20 at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, France. OECD DFFT Expert Community. The OECD DFFT Expert Community is a framework established under the OECD following the endorsement by G7 Leaders in 2023. Bringing together government officials, experts, and other stakeholders from participating countries, the Community promotes projects on Privacy-Enhancing Technologies (PETs), health and medical data, and cross-border data flows in supply chains to operationalize Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT). On October 19 and 20, 2026, the first in-person meeting was held at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, France, where government officials, industry representatives, and experts from participating countries discussed topics including the utilization of PETs and data sharing across cross-border supply chains. During the meeting, the OECD announced the launch of the "OECD Global Repository for PETs" as well as policy docments on the secondary use of health data, while ensuring legal certainty and interoperability and establishing methodologies to measure the value of data were raised as issues. In his opening remarks, Vice-Minister Misumi stated that amid major shifts in the digital landscape, such as the rapid advancement of generative AI and growing demands for economic security, realizing DFFT has become more critical than ever. He also commended the OECD's leadership in organizing the first in-person meeting of the DFFT Expert Community and called on participants to collaborate on translating DFFT principles into concrete implementation.