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Intra-group lending raises transfer pricing and thin capitalization concerns. Whatever form the challenge takes, the prudent approach is multi-pronged. By Thessa Mac, CMS Cameron McKenna, London

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the US, the prospect of a week in the beautiful US West Coast city of San Francisco did not prove alluring enough to the members of the International Fiscal Association (IFA) this year. Estimates put the level of cancellation for the 55th Congress ? held from September 30 to October 5 ? at an astonishing 30%-35%. In total, just over 900 delegates registered for the congress. Although the number of accompanying persons boosted numbers for the social side of the congress, attendance was still down on the Munich event last year.

Australia’s wide-ranging programme of consultation on tax reform seems still to be captive to the desire to protect the country’s revenue base. By Michael Collett and Jason Wrigley, Australian Tax Desk, Ernst & Young - International Tax Services, UK and Europe

Tax advisers and industry are reacting to Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhorstadt's tax cutting budget with uncertainty. The budget, announced early October, included a cut in corporate tax from 40.17% to 33.99% from January 1 2002. A second reduction in the tax rate, down to 30%, is being considered over a two-year period.

Baker & McKenzie has strengthened its indirect tax group by hiring a senior lawyer from HM Customs & Excise in the UK. Hassan Khan has joined Baker & McKenzie as a senior associate after spending six years with Customs & Excise where he was also EU legal coordinator and human rights act coordinator. The expansion is part of the London office's strategy to concentrate on specific industries.

Legislative proposal Tax Plan 2002 II sets out key changes to the Netherlands participation exemption regime and its rules on hybrid debt, among others. By Eelco van der Stok, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, London

The Italian tax authorities are gearing up for more detailed monitoring of major taxpayers. Perhaps the traditional deficit of qualified tax personnel can be offset by Italy’s sectoral studies approach. By Dr Davide Bergami, Studio Associato Legale Tributario, Milan (correspondent firm of Ernst & Young)

On October 10 2001 the Italian Parliament approved a new law including, among other things, a number of new tax provisions in respect of tax incentives and inheritance and gift tax. Final approvals were expected at the time of publication, but substantial amendments were still possible.

London law firm Nabarro Nathanson has hired a tax partner from the London office of PricewaterhouseCoopers. Jim Mottram joins the firm on November 26 after spending just under two years at PricewaterhouseCoopers specializing in the taxation of investment funds. Prior to that he worked at Norton Rose.

KPMG's German law firm, KPMG Treuhand & Goerdeler GmbH, has merged with BBLP alliance member BBLP Beiten Burkhardt Mittl & Wegener. The merger will be effective from January 1 2002 and the combined firm will go by the name of KPMG Treuhand Beiten Burk hardt. The decision poses questions about the future of other BBLP alliance members, Meyer Lustenberger, Moquet Borde & Associes and Pavia e Ansaldo.