A tax management framework

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PricewaterhouseCoopers' new publication,Tax function effectiveness, is the definitive guide to the "why," the "what" and the "how" of managing an effective tax function. Based on a tax management framework, the book is filled with the practical tools, best practice examples and insights to help organisations manage their tax function in a dynamic, global environment. With tax authorities increasingly focused on the "tax gap" and corporate agendas focused more on compliance and regulatory reporting, the book is designed to help companies optimise tax outcomes, manage risk, improve transparency and contribute value.

Why: The book begins by looking at why tax needs managing, putting some context around the key external business and regulatory drivers affecting tax management.

What: The publication goes on to deal with what needs to be managed within an organisation in relation to tax, expanding on the concept of the enablers and deliverables and what we mean by tax risk.

How: Finally, the book sets out best practice tools, methodologies and approaches for creating a strategic tax plan, developing the enablers and executing the deliverables.

Tax function effectiveness addresses the unique challenges of the tax function. The tax function's objectives should themselves be driven by what is happening in the business and the wider business and regulatory environment. While the objectives of different tax functions will vary in the detail, we believe that the effectiveness of the tax function is fundamentally based on its ability to achieve three core objectives:
  • Create, protect and optimise value in the context of the organisation’s business objectives;
  • Manage a wide range of tax related risks from carrying on business; and
  • Ensure compliance with tax laws and reporting requirements.
Tax planning and advisory activities should be focused on optimising tax outcomes and managing risk, both in respect of strategic transactions and day-to-day operations. Compliance and reporting activities tend to be process driven activities that are focused on both risk management and external communication of tax outcomes. It is critical for the effectiveness of the tax function that an appropriate balance is reached between the achievements of the three core objectives set out above.

A tax management framework

This book contains an established tax management framework for how a tax function should operate. The starting point is a properly documented tax strategic plan.

We believe there are eight “enablers” which underpin the efficient implementation of the strategy (see inner circle of diagram to the right). The results of the plan, together with the “enablers”, are the four “deliverables” (see outer circle of the diagram). These “deliverables” are the outputs required for the successful management of the tax affairs of the business.

To achieve the right balance, the tax function needs to understand and focus on the enablers as well as the deliverables.

Tax strategic plan: How a tax function should operate
Meet the authors
Meet the authors: Tony Elgood

Tony Elgood
PwC Partner


Tony Elgood is a tax partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (UK) and specialises in tax function effectiveness. Tony is part of the Global Compliance Services (GCS) team, and in particular helps organisations to enunciate and document their tax strategy. He regularly speaks at conferences and has written two leading guides on the subject, namely PwC's 'Best Practice' tax function guide (published 2002, reprinted 2004, 2nd edition 2006) and their Tax Risk Management guide (published 2004, reprinted 2004).

  Meet the authors: Tony Fulton

Tony Fulton
PwC Partner


Tony Fulton is a tax partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers Australia specialising in corporate tax management, compliance and reporting. He advises major corporates in the Asia Pacific region on the effectiveness of the tax function and managing global risk and compliance. Tony leads PwC's Tax Function Effectiveness practice in Australia which has a particular focus on controls, risk management and process improvement in the tax area.

  Meet the authors: Mark D. Schutzman

Mark D. Schutzman
PwC Partner


Mark is a tax partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (US). He is a founder and the leader of PwC's US Tax Function Effectiveness practice, regularly consulting with CFO's and Tax VP's to improve the effectiveness of their corporate tax function. He has visited dozens of Fortune 500 companies across the U.S. and leads PwC's efforts to benchmark corporate tax function performance and operational practices.

 
Tax function effectiveness: The vision for tomorrow's tax function
Contacts
Tony Elgood
Tax partner
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 11 7930 7025
Tony Fulton
Tax partner
Australia
Tel: +61 (3) 8603 6231
Mark D. Schutzman
Tax partner
United States
Tel: +1 (646) 471 5305


© 2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers. All rights reserved. PricewaterhouseCoopers refers to the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity.
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