Amendment to the Guideline on the Implementation of the Tax Information Exchange Agreements (United States of America) Act, 2017

CENTRAL BANK OF TRINIDAD &TOBAGO Eric Williams Plaza, Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago Postal Address: P.O. Box 1250 Telephone: (868) 621-CBTT (2288), 235-CBTT (2288); Fax:(868) 612-6396 E-Mail Address: mfo@central-bank. org. tt Website: www.central-bank.org.tt December 23, 2019 Circular Letter To: Financial Institutions Regulated under the Financial Institutions Act, Chap. 79:09 Insurance Companies Registered under the Insurance Act, Chap 84:01 The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Trinidad and Tobago and The Institute of Internal Auditors of Trinidad and Tobago REF: CB-OIFI-3319/2019 AMENDMENT TO THE GUIDELINE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TAX INFORMATION EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS (UNITED STATES OF AMEMCA) ACT, 2017 ("THE GUIDELINE") ISSUED NOVEMBER 22, 2017 The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago ("Central Bank") advises that it proposes to amend the captioned Guideline as follows:

1. Section 11 to allow for the appointment of a Group Responsible Officer for entities within a financial group; and
2. Section 12.3 to clarify the requirement regarding the completion and submission of the external audit. Please note that with respect to bullet #1, there is precedence based on the December 2018 amendments to Regulation 3 of the Financial Obligations Regulations (as amended), 2010, in respect of the appointment of Compliance Officers of financial institutions within a fmancial group. The change at bullet #2 is prompted by Circular Letter Ref No. CB-OIFI-2711/2018 ("Circular Letter") issued on October 9, 2018, as it relates to the timing of external audit requirements. In addition, with reference to the Circular Letter referenced above, the internal audit pertinent to the requirements of the Guidelme was required to be completed by March 31, 2019, in the first instance. In this regard, reporting financial institutions are requested to submit a copy of this internal audit report to the Central Bank no later than December 31, 2019. Please disregard this request if you have already submitted this report to the Central Bank. The proposed amendments can be viewed at www. central-bank. or .tt in the "Drafts and Consultation Papers " section of your respective sector. Kindly provide feedback on the proposals via email to tieaa assessment central-bank.or .tt by January 06, 2020. We look forward to your usual co-operation, Yours sincerely 's Michelle Francis-Pantor Deputy Inspector - Banks, Non-Banks and Payment Systems Oversight FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SUPERVISION DEPARTMENT