The IMF report was commissioned by the Group of Twenty (G-20) industrial and emerging market countries to analyze policy options “for how the financial sector could make a fair and substantial contribution toward paying for any burdens associated with government interventions.”

In a statement announcing the beginning of the consultation, IMF First Deputy Managing Director John Lipsky, who is heading the IMF group preparing the report, said that the consultation is “an important aspect of [the IMF’s report] as we move forward.”

“We will be seeking the views of a broad set of observers, who will bring varied perspectives and valuable insights to the process.”

According to the IMF statement, to ensure that the consultation is comprehensive it will involve IMF staff interaction with tax experts, academics, labor unions, and civil society. In addition, IMF Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Lipsky will hold meetings with senior officials of civil society organizations, who have already submitted 91 letters opining the proposals.

Along with these meetings, the IMF is issuing a call for written comment on the matter of financial sector taxation as part of the consultation process. Interested parties are asked to submit their comments by February 1, 2010, after which time submissions will be posted on the IMF website. A second call for comment will take place after the initial IMF study is published.