Optimizing technology for better value
Despite opportunities, such as case study #2 illustrates, harnessing additional tax technology and process improvements is not high on the agenda for most survey respondents this year. Only 17 percent feel their level of investment in technology and
tax processes is too low, down from 26 percent in 2009. About three-quarters say that their company’s level of investment is “about right”.
Similarly, despite the widely touted cost savings and efficiencies that cloud computing can offer, only a minority of respondents work in companies that use cloud computing. An even smaller group use the cloud for the storage of accounting or transactional data, which can limit the ability to actively use cloud storage for its potential benefits to the tax department. And only about a quarter of respondents are focusing on cloud computing’s international tax implications.
Case study #3 – using technology to free up time
A global telecommunications company needed to prioritize its tax department’s workload. Initially, the company focused on outsourcing their compliance needs, but this was not their preferred option. However, further investigation of the reasons for the tax department’s excessive workload revealed that 70 to 80 percent of the time in preparing tax returns was spent on preliminary work that involved extracting, formatting and understanding accounting data before any tax technical analysis began.
By gaining a better understanding of the nature of
the data housed within the company’s accounting system and how to access it, and by coupling this
with appropriate mapping and analysis technology,
the company was able to cut the amount of preliminary work almost in half. This enabled the tax department to keep its compliance work in-house while maintaining its ability to deliver on other priorities.
Outsourcing tax responsibilities
Outsourcing remains a valuable option for the tax department when considering its global responsibilities. Outsourcing is often used strategically to free up in-house resources for other activities
and to access best practices and investments in people, processes and technology that cannot be developed in-house.
To the extent that your company operates internationally, where do you focus on the implications of cloud computing?
Source: KPMG International 2012
62%
Do not use cloud computing
26%
Transfer pricing with respect to related-party cloud payments
23%
Server location and permanent establishment issues
22%
Impact of indirect taxes (e.g. VAT/GST) on cloud payments
19%
Foreign country income characterization of outbound cloud payments© 2013 KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Member firms of the KPMG network of independent firms are affiliated with KPMG