The International Fiscal Association

The International Fiscal Association (ifa.nl) is the only non-governmental and non-sectoral international organization dealing with fiscal matters. IFA is a neutral, independent, non-lobby organisation and as such the only global network of its kind. As a non-profit organisation, IFA provides a neutral and independent platform where representatives of all professions and interests can meet and discuss international tax issues at the highest level.

Its objects are the study and advancement of international and comparative law in regard to public finance, specifically international and comparative fiscal law and the financial and economic aspects of taxation.

IFA seeks to achieve these objects through its Annual Congresses and the scientific publications relating thereto as well as through scientific research.

Although the operations of IFA are essentially scientific in character, the subjects selected take account of current fiscal developments and changes in local legislation. IFA UK Branch is one of the 71 IFA branches worldwide of the International Fiscal Association. 

Two main subjects are selected by the Permanent Scientific Committee, which form the basis of IFA’s Cahiers and plenary seminars, often followed by a companion seminar. The “Cahiers de Droit Fiscal International” contain IFA Branch reports and the General reports on these subjects which are made available to members.

The annual Congresses attract 1500-2200 participants and their accompanying persons. The Scientific programme is supplemented by a choice of seminars, covering more topical subjects, whether international in character or focused on the law of the jurisdiction where the Congress is being held. In the evening participants are invited to join a scale of cultural and social events.

The Executive Board of IFA is responsible for the management of the Association and for developing strategy to manage the Association. The Executive Board is supervised and advised by the Supervisory Board. The Board composes of President Guglielmo Maisto (Italy), Vice President Natalia Quifiones (Colombia), Secretary General, Jean-Blaise Eckert (Switzerland), the Chair of the Permanent Scientific Committee, Robert Danon (Switzerland) and Chair of IFA Regions, Kuntal Dave (India).

The IFA Supervisory Board was developed to advise the Executive board in order to be proactive in addressing challenges faced by local IFA branches. It is chaired by Marta Villar Ezcurra (IFA Spain) and its Vice Chair is Valetin Savov (IFA Bulgaria). its members currently compose of branch members from the UK, USA, People’s Rep. of China, Germany, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, Mexico, Italy, India, Portugal, South Africa and Bulgaria. Sarah Blakelock (UK Branch Vice Chair) represents the UK Branch on the Supervisory Board.

The Permanent Scientific Committee (PSC) selects the topics for IFA’s annual Congress programme, as well as coordinating the planning and implementation of the scientific work of the Association. The Chair and Vice-Chairs of the PSC report to the Executive Board. The PSC is chaired by Professor Robert Danon (Switzerland) and its Vice Chairs are Professor Adolfo Martin Jiménez (Spain) and Professor Miranda Stewart (Australia). Dr Richard Collier represents the UK Branch on the Permanent Scientific Committee.

There are 30 IFA Branches in the European Region. The IFA activities in the region are organised by the IFA European regional committee and the country branches. The IFA Branches in the European region promote IFA’s global and regional research activities by organising an annual European regional meeting, seminars and events where representatives from the public and private sectors can network and discuss international tax issues. Ashley Greenbank represents the UK Branch on the European regional committee.

This year the Switzerland IFA Branch will welcome members to Lausanne for the 4th IFA European Region Conference from 12 – 14 June 2024.