SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter Ascends to Vice Chair of OECD Tax Forum

South Africa takes a significant stride in the realm of international tax relations with the appointment of South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner, Mr. Edward Kieswetter, as the Vice Chair of the prestigious OECD Forum on Tax Administration (FTA). The appointment underscores South Africa's initiative to ensure representation of the interests of developing countries on this global stage.

Held in Athens, Greece, from November 13 to 15, 2024, the 17th FTA Plenary saw leaders in tax administration converge to discuss avenues through which taxation could further contribute to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals—a matter of critical importance in the transformative narrative of tax administration worldwide.

Reflecting on the significance of his new role, Commissioner Kieswetter reinforced SARS's strategic objectives, particularly the objective to engage and collaborate with stakeholders to improve the tax ecosystem. This approach aligns with the emergence of transboundary tax risks which necessitate robust international partnerships and networks. As a vital link to this wider web of collaboration, South Africa, through Commissioner Kieswetter, aims to facilitate and improve voluntary tax compliance as well as enhance cross-border tax cooperation effectively.

The OECD Forum on Tax Administration is a critical assembly. Since its inception in 2002, the FTA has facilitated cross-border collaboration, thought leadership, and knowledge exchange among over 50 countries, thereby promoting enhanced tax administration and the development of innovative approaches and practical tools.

The plenary discussions in Athens spanned a broad spectrum of tax administration issues, from digital transformation, which holds the potential to realize seamless and near-real-time tax processes, to the implementation of the Global Minimum Tax, leadership during transformative times, and capacity building in tax administrations. An important milestone reached during the Plenary was the launch of the FTA's Gender Balance Maturity Model, marking a step forward in inclusive practices within tax authorities worldwide.

Highlighting the essence of the Forum's work, Commissioner Kieswetter's opening presentation at the plenary set the tone for imminent discussions. He drew attention to the crucial role of effective domestic resource mobilization in funding pivotal public investments, which are keystones in achieving sustainable goals. In his concluding reflections, he reiterated the necessity for modern, adept tax and customs administrations, which are instrumental in safeguarding democracy by ensuring it is adequately funded amidst the complexities of globalization and financial malpractices.

With this prominent appointment, Commissioner Kieswetter has positioned SARS and South Africa at the vanguard of shaping the transnational tax administration landscape while championing the causes pertinent to developing economies.