Your shopping cart is empty
Tax disclosures: Is sunlight the best disinfectant?
Published on 01 Apr 19 by "THE TAX SPECIALIST" JOURNAL ARTICLE
It has been said that: “Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.” The belief that greater transparency and public scrutiny will result in large corporate taxpayers paying their “fair share of tax” has been a key driver of increased tax disclosures in recent years. This article considers the range of additional disclosures that have been introduced either on a voluntary or compulsory basis in recent years. The article also analyses when disclosures should be made, to whom they should be made, and the impact of not disclosing information. In addition, the article considers how fairness should be measured and refers to published information concerning tax gaps and taxes paid. In light of these additional disclosures and using international data about tax, the article asks whether the increased disclosures have resulted in greater “fairness”.
