The world’s tax authorities are showing much greater interest
in evaluating how a company’s tax matters are governed. For
example, current tax authority risk assessment programs in the
UK, Australia and the Netherlands explicitly address the strength
of a company’s tax governance policies.
Tax authorities are also demanding more transparency in
compliance processes. For example, in the UK, senior accounting
officers of large companies must annually certify that their tax
systems and controls are adequate. The US requires companies
to report the impact of “uncertain tax positions” on their balance
sheets and tax returns. Using these disclosures, tax authorities
will focus on areas of potential non-compliance or differing
interpretation, with the expectation of resolving disputes and
settling tax assessments more efficiently.
Other regulators and non-governmental organizations are also
looking at how a company’s approach to tax management is
helping fulfill what are seen as its wider corporate responsibilities.
For example, reporting requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act in
the US and the proposed EU Transparency Directive will require
detailed country-by-country (or project-by-project in some cases)
tax data. A company’s own need for timely and accurate financial
data is also challenging the tax department to think more widely
about what its responsibilities entail and how to fulfill them.
Since our last survey in 2009, boards and finance executives are
clearly responding to this rising focus on the management of tax.
The current survey shows senior executives and directors are
taking more interest in, and responsibility for, tax matters.
“In today’s world, you need to have transparent information in a
timely manner. Internally and externally, there’s more and more
emphasis on tax, in terms of tax transparency initiatives, total tax
contribution and so on. I think the tax department will become even
more important in the future.”
—Tax director of a leading multinational mining company
Which of the following statements are
true of your company?
Source: KPMG International 2009, 2012
2009 2012
84% 93% We have a tax strategy that is consistent with
our overall business strategy
The board has approved the tax strategy 48% 77%
48% 75%
Our approach to tax risk management has
been approved by the board and/or corporate
leadership
51% 73%
The board and/or corporate leadership has
provided guidance directly to the tax department
regarding the strategy
66% 71% We have a documented approach to tax risk
management
60% 70% We have global standards related to tax policies
and procedures
N/A 63% We have formally documented our tax strateg