Companies worldwide are battling rising operational challenges and better prices introduced on by advanced regulatory environments, in response to BDO’s newest International Tax Outlook Report.
The analysis highlights an uptick in time spent on tax authority queries, with 81% of companies reporting extra such interactions in comparison with 2023.
The survey of 500 international tax leaders finds rising funding in expertise and expertise, rising adoption of hybrid outsourcing, and broader use of AI in tax operations.
Half of the respondents (50%) recognized navigating shifting laws as their most urgent problem.
Latest developments, such because the OECD’s Pillar Two framework and obligatory digital reporting, are cited as drivers behind compliance workloads and a rise in potential threat.
The report added that operational points linked to this regulatory atmosphere are additionally evident with 61% of contributors reporting lacking deadlines for tax filings, whereas 50% acknowledging errors of their returns.
These missteps can have repercussions, together with audits and strained relationships with authorities.
To handle these obstacles, corporations are increasing investments in each applied sciences, upskilling their workforce and making compliance a core facet of their organisational technique.
The report notes that just about two-thirds (66%) count on the price of compliance to proceed rising over the subsequent yr as they allocate extra funds in the direction of expertise upgrades and extra employees.
Hybrid outsourcing—mixing in-house and exterior experience—is changing into more and more frequent. Whereas 62% of companies plan to boost coaching initiatives, 47% are set to spice up spending on outsourced companies.
The survey added that 70% of respondents have adopted AI instruments for data administration and information processes, with expectations that these applied sciences will enhance effectivity and accuracy over the subsequent few years.
Greater than half (51%) of them anticipate reallocating workers to extra strategic roles as AI adoption grows.
The usage of third-party suppliers for tax compliance is widespread, with 71% using exterior help to complement inner groups. Flexibility (69%), high quality (66%), and the chance to deal with strategic actions (48%) have been highlighted by chief monetary officers as key benefits of outsourcing components of tax compliance work.
BDO International Tax head Niek De Haan stated: “These findings underscore a basic shift, tax compliance is evolving rapidly and so are expectations on tax leaders.”
Haan added: “The info reveals that 2026 will must be a yr of motion for a lot of. What’s encouraging is that companies are responding proactively, investing to remain forward.”
