Today’s audit committee is a far cry from the audit committee of years past.
Audit committees would often hold brief quarterly meetings in conjunction with regular board meetings. The responsibilities of the audit committee were often nothing more than approving the work plan for the external auditor and a perfunctory review of year-end reports and internal audit activities.
However, with the passage of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, the role of audit committees changed dramatically. Today’s audit committee is heavily involved in oversight of all aspects of the company’s financial operations.
The area of taxation is often not specifically listed, but it can be assumed to be under the oversight of the audit committee. Taxes are a part of the financial reporting process but may be housed apart from financial accounting as a part of the tax department.
Tax risk should be a paramount issue for the audit committee. At least four sources of tax risk have been identified.
I. Reputation Risk
Taxes paid by large corporations have become a matter of scrutiny by government, the media, watchdog agencies and the individual citizen. If a corporation is seen as not paying its “fair share” of taxes, negative publicity may result.
This can affect the company’s reputation and its shareholder value. For example, one well-known bank recently reported earnings of $3.1 billion on revenues of $75.2 billion and an income tax of a negative $1.1 billion. This was not well received when it became public knowledge.
II. BEPS Risk
BEPS means “base erosion and profit shifting.” It is a concern for companies operating internationally. The concern is that the current international tax standards in some countries may not have kept pace with today’s global business practices.
When there is a disparity between the tax laws of different countries, companies have an opportunity to escape or minimize taxation by shifting profits across borders. This enables companies to take advantage of tax rates lower than countries in which the profit is actually earned.
Three popular methods of shifting profits include hybrid mismatches, special-purpose entities (SPE) and transfer pricing. In 2013, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued an action plan to deal with this problem.
Many of these actions are already driving change. Companies must be aware of developments in this area because the impact on a particular company can be substantial.
III. Legislative Risk
Related to BEPS is the third risk – legislative risk. As pressure mounts for tax reform, there could be significant changes in domestic as well as international tax laws.
The tax department should attempt to “read the tea leaves” and keep management and the audit committee apprised of any tax changes that occur or are anticipated. This will enable the company to adapt and be prepared for changes when they occur.
IV. Compliance/Enforcement Risk
The fourth risk is that of compliance, or enforcement, risk. While some would list these separately, they are intertwined.
In recent years, enforcement of the tax laws has increased, due largely to rising deficits and efforts to reduce the tax gap. Companies are faced with more rigorous enforcement of the tax laws, which makes compliance with the laws that much more important.
The difficulty here is that the application of the law may not be totally clear, leaving room for interpretation. How a particular company interprets the applicability of law to its situation can increase or decrease its compliance risk.
Actions
Audit committees must to do more than be aware of these particular tax risks. They need to act to ensure that the company is doing what it can to minimize these risks.
The audit committee should:
- Ensure that the organization understands the tax risks that it faces. This should go beyond the tax department and involve management, the audit committee and the full board.
- Ensure that the company is alert to any changes in the tax system and understand any changing attitudes on the part of taxing authorities. Keep in mind that interpretations of tax laws can change over time.
- Be proactive in tax transparency. Don’t wait for new legislation to compel disclosures. Thinking ahead of the curve can improve the organization’s profile and reputation.
- Be aware that tax risk comes from many sources– state and local governments, the United States federal government, and governments of any countries in which the company may operate. It also includes more than income tax.
- Focus on compliance. Employ effective tax processes and controls to identify potential exposures. Make certain that all tax filings are made on a timely basis. Timely and effective compliance can help resolve tax disputes early, before they get out of control.
