Survey finds only 19% have budgeted for increased costs to meet a tax transparency strategy

Global organisations are not adequately prepared for the global government push for greater tax transparency, according to a study by Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source of intelligent information for business and professionals.

The Thomson Reuters 2013 Transparent Tax Survey, in association with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), surveyed the heads of tax of more than 100 global organisations and found that only 35% of respondents already have or are currently planning a tax transparency strategy. The findings have serious implications in relation to the potential success of a global mandate to better manage information transfer across borders and for organisations to provide open and clear financial data by the end of 2015: a deadline set by the G20. The results reveal that despite a belief that tax transparency will add a significant additional administrative burden (52%) on the tax department, just 19% of respondents have budgeted for increased costs.

Key findings from the report include:

• 62% say they understand the implications of tax transparency on the tax department
• 65% would like to see more guidance and advice around managing tax transparency from government organisations
• 36% think tax transparency very important to their business compared with 7% who think it very unimportant
• 52% consider tax transparency will add a significant administrative burden on their tax department
• 51% of respondents consider internal processes that do not support efficient reporting and information gathering to be the largest major obstacle to improved transparency

Even though 62% say they understand the implications of tax transparency on the tax department, the findings suggest that the definition of what transparency means to their business varies considerably. ‘Explaining tax policies and strategies’ was the most popular, followed by ‘supplementary figures in the annual report’ and in third place, ‘disclosures to explain total tax contribution (borne and collected)’.

Commenting on the study, Charlotte Rushton, managing director Asia Pacific and EMEA, for the Tax & Accounting business of Thomson Reuters, said: “The G8 and OECD have committed to a global government push for greater transparency in the way companies comply with local and global tax laws. Tax authorities around the world are becoming more aggressive and focused, in turn increasing disclosure and transparency requirements on the business community. Our findings suggest that there is a risk that many could find themselves on the back foot if they do not start planning their transparent tax strategy soon.”

The findings reveal the key factors driving tax transparency strategy include:

• 47% said to meet corporate social responsibility obligations
• 28% said an expected increase in future tax disclosure requirements
• 26% said to improve our brand image with the public
• 17% said to improve our relationships with NGOs

“The majority of organisations surveyed are concerned that increased transparency will result in a significant administrative burden. The pressure from governments is set to grow in coming years and additional support is paramount in moving towards a new set of regulations as seamlessly as possible and with the least amount of resource and administrative disruption.

“It’s no longer a case of ticking the local tax box, companies need to be comfortable and confident if they come under scrutiny no matter where they do business,” concluded Ms Rushton.