The Cayman Islands Department for International Tax Cooperation has issued an advisory dated 1 February 2018 (the "Advisory") announcing that it has published updated lists of the CRS Participating Jurisdictions and CRS Reportable Jurisdictions.  Azerbaijan and Pakistan have now been included as Reportable Jurisdictions for reports due in 2018 onwards and Kuwait has been removed as a Reportable Jurisdiction for reports due in 2018 onwards. 

We note from the Advisory that the CRS Guidance Notes will be updated later this month to reflect the latest lists and certain other changes regarding CRS, such as the release of a revised form of Entity Self-Certification.

The AEOI Portal User Guide will also be updated to reflect new functionality on the AEOI Portal, including new processes for changing the Principal Point of Contact or Authorising Person of a Cayman Financial Institution ("CFI") and for deactivating a CFI.

The Advisory confirms that the AEOI Portal will reopen in early March 2018 and CFIs that have been unable to make their notification (i.e. register) via the AEOI Portal before then must do so by 30 April 2018. 

The Advisory also includes a reminder to CFIs that the deadline for filing FATCA and CRS returns and declarations with respect to the 2017 calendar year is 31 May 2018.

Further information about the AEOI regimes can be found on our dedicated FATCA and CRS webpage.  Additionally, you may contact any one of the above members of our dedicated AEOI team.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.