Two men in office

Business leaders and financial professionals closely monitor general elections, understanding that the outcomes can significantly impact areas ranging from compliance requirements to international trade regulations. Recent elections in the UK, EU, and the U.S. have brought about an atmosphere of uncertainty for international businesses, with potential changes in the tax compliance landscape looming on the horizon.

Amidst this volatility, one trend remains constant: the growing adoption of digital tools by governments to monitor economic activity and maximise tax collection in real-time. As the push towards digitalisation intensifies, it has become increasingly urgent for businesses to move away from outdated manual tax processes and embrace digital solutions that ensure global and regional regulatory compliance.

The Shift Toward Real-Time Tax Reporting

One of the most significant developments in this digital transformation is the shift toward real-time tax reporting. This trend is exemplified by initiatives such as the EU's VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) and the UK's "Making Tax Digital" programme, which has been progressively rolled out for various taxes since 2019. These initiatives reflect a broader understanding that governments benefit when they can automatically receive relevant data from business systems rather than relying on businesses to compile and transmit extensive reports.

This transition to real-time reporting represents a win-win scenario for both governments and businesses. For governments, it means improved tax collection efficiency and enhanced oversight. For businesses, it simplifies compliance, reduces administrative burdens, and opens up new opportunities for innovation.

The Benefits of Digitalisation in Tax Compliance

The move toward embedding tax law enforcement within business process automation tools also necessitates the broader adoption of system interoperability standards. These standards are crucial for enabling a more extensive revolution toward e-invoice adoption and, by extension, a wider digital transformation across industries.

The benefits of digitalisation in tax compliance are manifold. By centralising and standardising tax data across multiple regions, digital platforms allow businesses to manage their tax obligations more effectively. This not only reduces the risk of errors and penalties but also provides businesses with real-time visibility into their tax data. This transparency enables companies to identify discrepancies, overpayments, and other anomalies quickly, allowing them to take corrective action before these issues escalate.

Moreover, the insights gained from real-time data can inform strategic decision-making, helping businesses identify trends, optimise processes, and explore new revenue streams. The integration of tax compliance into business process automation also supports broader digital transformation efforts, enhancing supply chain efficiency and simplifying cross-border transactions.

Strategic Approach to Embracing Digital Tax Compliance

To fully capitalise on the benefits of digital tax compliance, businesses must adopt a strategic approach rather than reacting to regulatory changes as they arise. One of the first steps in this process is conducting a thorough audit of existing tax processes and systems. This audit will help identify areas where digital solutions can provide the most value, whether by streamlining data collection, improving accuracy, or enhancing visibility.

Once these areas have been identified, businesses can implement a cloud-based tax compliance platform that consolidates all relevant data in one place. Such a platform offers unprecedented visibility across the entire business, enabling companies to drive profits and growth while ensuring compliance with shifting international tax regulations.

In the EU, for example, complying with new regulations under ViDA may require significant upfront investment. However, the long-term benefits of having a rich stream of real-time data around financial transactions far outweigh the initial costs. This data enables business owners to move past the fragmentation of their enterprise applications, spot errors, overpayments, and anomalies in real-time, and imagine new opportunities or even new ways of doing business.

The Future of Tax Compliance: Real-Time and Beyond

As the global business landscape continues to evolve, the importance of real-time tax compliance will only increase. Governments worldwide are increasingly recognising the power of digital tools to enhance tax collection and improve economic governance. Historically, many governments were slow to adopt digital solutions, but this trend is rapidly changing. Regulations such as "Making Tax Digital" are part of a broader movement to align tax controls more closely with business operations.

For businesses, this shift presents a dual opportunity. On one hand, it necessitates compliance with new regulations, which can be challenging. On the other hand, it offers the chance to leverage technology for competitive advantage. By investing in cloud-based tax compliance solutions, businesses can not only meet regulatory requirements but also gain valuable insights that can drive innovation and growth.

In conclusion, staying ahead of political and legal uncertainty requires a multifaceted approach from business leaders. One crucial strategy is to embrace digital transformation in tax and compliance. By adopting cloud-based solutions, businesses gain the flexibility to transparently address changing laws and the ongoing movement towards 'real time' tax reporting, all of which position them favourably in a rapidly changing global economy.

Created by Kevin Akeroyd Kevin Akeroyd

As the CEO of Sovos, Kevin leads the industry's premier SaaS technology platform company focused on enabling 100% compliance in a digital, cross-border, regulated world. With a diverse background encompassing roles at VC startups, private equity firms, and Fortune 500 companies like Oracle and Salesforce, Kevin's success is built on his distinct ability to identify opportunities for companies to innovate and find their break-through potential, applying strategic acumen, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to driving company growth and success.

Prior to Sovos, Kevin served as the CEO of Magnit, where he spearheaded the growth of the largest contingent workforce management SaaS and services player in the HCM market. During his tenure, he significantly increased revenue from $700 million to over $2 billion across various business segments, delivering a remarkable 4x+ MOIC return for the private equity sponsor.

Before Magnit, Kevin held the position of CEO at Cision, where he successfully led the company through an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CISN) and drove substantial stock price appreciation within the first year post-IPO. Kevin's strategic vision and operational expertise also played a key role in company's successful multi-billion dollar private equity acquisition.

Kevin's extensive experience in the tech industry includes leadership roles at some of the tech industry's most well-known brands, including Oracle, where he served as GM and SVP of Oracle Marketing Cloud, overseeing remarkable revenue growth from $100 million to over $1 billion. His tenure at Oracle was also marked by strategic acquisitions and unparalleled organic growth rates, positioning Oracle Marketing Cloud as a key player in the industry.

Throughout his career, Kevin has demonstrated a deep commitment to driving innovation, fostering customer success, and building high-performing teams. His leadership style is characterized by a strong focus on purpose-driven initiatives, inclusive organizational culture, and people-centric values. Kevin's ability to navigate complex international business landscapes and drive sustainable growth strategies has earned him a reputation as a visionary leader in the tech sector.