Tax avoidance: a global problem
The issue of tax avoidance has attracted international attention, particularly through the OECD's Base Erosion and Profit Shifting initiative and the G20. The tax loopholes utilised by large companies have led to protests. More and more people and governments believe that corporations and wealthy individuals should pay their ‘fair share’ of taxes to support the social, education and healthcare systems from which they also benefit. In the academic debate, tax avoidance is increasingly seen as an ethical problem for our society.
The guest speaker, Prof. Barbara Summers, PhD, MBA, Professor of Human Judgement and Decision Making at Leeds University Business School and Director of the Centre for Decision Research, focused on the role of tax advisors in tax avoidance in her online lecture ‘Ethical Thinking and Decision Making in Tax Advisors’ as part of the ‘International Researchers’ series. According to Summers, they advise their clients on tax matters and thus play a key role in shaping the economic framework conditions of our time. The expert also discussed in detail how tax advisors contribute to tax avoidance and the development of tax strategies.
The insights into the researcher's practical work were fascinating. As part of the online lecture, she also presented a research project that deals with the ethical considerations and motivation of this professional group of tax consultants.
This was followed by a lively discussion that enabled an in-depth exchange on the topics raised.
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