Global Trends in Tax Administration

This paper starts with the proposition that the descriptor, ‘tax reform’ can apply to different elements of a tax system. It argues that reforms affecting one aspect of the tax system often, but not always, provide the incentive or opportunity for reform of other components of the tax system. Within this broader context, sustainable tax reform requires good policy, an empowered, effective and efficient tax administration of high integrity, and community trust in the tax system. Trends in tax policy and the international tax environment impact on the strategies used by tax administrations to protect their revenue. At the same time, leading tax agencies seek to promote an investment climate by providing high levels of certainty and service to taxpayers. How well the tax agency is able to achieve these two, often disparate, objectives is of critical importance to the economy. This article outlines modern trends in tax administration that help leading tax administration reconcile these twin objectives.