Global and EU experts discussed how to contribute to the UN SDGs and enhance public trust in tax through taxpayer education at a webinar jointly organised by ACCA and IFAC in collaboration the OECD, attended by over 1,200 participants from over 110 countries globally.

To make responsible tax decisions, people need to have the knowledge, skills and confidence in tax systems.

There are number of ways in which the public can gain these, such as teaching tax - educating taxpayers about the tax system, how it works and why it matters.

But educating taxpayers is not just the business of tax administrations. To succeed, collaboration and partnerships with other stakeholders such as schools, professional bodies, business associations and non-governmental organisations are essential, especially at a time when already stretched tax authority resources are strained further by the impacts of the COVID pandemic.

With all this in mind, ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IFAC in collaboration with the OECD, organised a global online event to discuss the main findings of a recent OECD report, Building A Tax Culture, Compliance and Citizenship: A Global Source Book on Taxpayer Education about the three main approaches around taxpayers’ education identified in this publication - teaching tax; communicating tax; and supporting taxpayers directly in compliance.

Focusing on these core themes, Grace Perez- Navarro, the Deputy Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, said: ‘While there are differences between these three approaches, there are also common threads. Identifying and reaching the target audience is often the biggest challenge. We cannot rely on existing tools to reach that target audience, we need to come up with new ones. Partners beyond the tax administration are also important. Finding partners who are in contact and are trusted by the target audience is vital to the success of these programmes. Taxpayer education is a long term project-changing the culture won’t happen overnight so we need to be realistic about what can happen and when. Securing resources and keeping them going is a universal challenge, and timing of delivery can be vital as well’.  

The panel of experts was moderated by Scott Hanson, Director of Public Policy & Regulation at IFAC who welcomed Agnija Rasa, Deputy Head of Unit Management of Programmes and EU Training at DG TAXUD; Giulia Mascagni, Research Director of the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD) and Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS); Richard M Kayombo, Director for Tax Payer Services and Education at Tanzania Revenue Authority and Jason Piper, Head of Taxation at ACCA who all examined how to foster effective collaboration among the key actors.

Helen Brand OBE, chief executive, ACCA said: ‘To build public trust in tax systems, it’s vital to provide citizens with the information necessary to understand how the tax system works; the rights and obligations of taxpayers; and importantly how citizens can influence the evolution of the tax system. At ACCA, we’re determined to play our part, though the education, lifelong learning materials and the series of technical and policy reports we deliver. And through engaging with key stakeholders - including the younger generation - to support financial education, and drive trust in tax and trust in the profession, in the public interest.’

The discussions confirmed that the question is not whether education is needed - the lack of tax education is a world-wide problem - but how this should be done, and that there is a need to be more specific in understanding the impact of tax education. All speakers agreed on the vital need to collaborate to promote it.

To achieve this, the contribution from public authorities for taxpayer education and for creating partnerships built on trust and accountability is central along with other trusted sources such as the community of accountants, civil society and academics to use all voices to reach a wide audience. It was stressed that influencers such as musicians can also become tax ambassadors, and the power of social media needs to be used for impact and engagement. Panellists agreed the importance of this to start collaborating from the design stage of tax education.

Victor Negrescu, MEP said: ‘Ownership, responsibility and accountability are three key elements when it comes to the purpose of tax education, with short- and long-term impacts attached. I call on the organisers - ACCA, IFAC and the OECD - the EC and the EP to organise a stakeholders' group where we can elaborate more on this issue and enhance taxpayer education, but also take a leadership role in promoting tax education, thinking ahead. All the money allocated in tax education is an investment in better policies for better lives and a sustainable future for everyone.’

Alta Prinsloo, CEO of PAFA (the Pan-African Federation of Accountants) said: ‘I am pleased to note that the OECD report encourages further research, debates, and initiatives, particularly in developing countries, to better understand and ultimately strengthen tax morale. In many developing countries there are significant development co-operation projects that support domestic resource mobilisation. The full potential of taxpayer education will only be realised when it is integrated into this wider ecosystem.’

Kevin Dancey, CEO of IFAC concluded: ‘Today’s discussion has given a hint of the diversity of stakeholders that need to come together on the issue of tax education, and highlighted how central the accountancy profession is amongst those stakeholders. There are numerous important intersection points to consider. First, the role of professional accountancy organisations, and their role in driving ethics in tax practice. Second, the role of the individual accountant in upholding the core principles of the International Code of Ethics. And finally, that there is more that accountants and PAOs can do, not just in tax education, but in financial literacy more broadly.’

- Ends -

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Notes to Editors

About ACCA:  ACCA is the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. We’re a thriving global community of 233,000 members and 536,000 future members based in 178 countries and regions that upholds the highest professional and ethical values.

We believe that accountancy is a cornerstone profession of society that supports both public and private sectors. That’s why we’re committed to the development of a strong global accountancy profession and the many benefits that this brings to society and individuals.

Since 1904 being a force for public good has been embedded in our purpose. And because we’re a not-for-profit organisation, we build a sustainable global profession by re-investing our surplus to deliver member value and develop the profession for the next generation.

Through our world leading ACCA Qualification, we offer everyone everywhere the opportunity to experience a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. And using our respected research, we lead the profession by answering today’s questions and preparing us for tomorrow.

About IFAC: The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is the global organization for the accountancy profession dedicated to serving the public interest by strengthening the profession and contributing to the development of strong international economies. Comprised of 180 members and associates in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions, IFAC represents more than 3 million accountants in public practice, education, government service, industry and commerce. Over four decades, IFAC has represented the global profession and supported the development, adoption, and implementation of international standards that underpin the contributions of today’s global accountancy profession. IFAC has maintained a long-term approach to building and strengthening a global accountancy profession that supports transparent, accountable, and sustainable organizations, financial markets, and economies. More information is here www.ifac.org