Deloitte’s 2025 Global Tax Policy Survey reveals a rapidly evolving landscape for tax executives, driven by heightened demands for transparency, digital transformation, and sustainability. The survey, which polled over 1,100 senior tax and finance professionals across 28 countries, found that 82% of tax leaders anticipate increased public tax disclosure requirements within the next three years. Meanwhile, 86% report progress toward the OECD’s “Tax Administration 3.0” vision, though confidence in AI’s benefits is declining. Sustainability has surged to a top-three priority, with carbon compliance costs and ESG reporting reshaping tax strategies. As global tax regimes navigate regulatory shifts, technological disruption, and environmental pressures, organizations are focusing on transparency, digital readiness, and sustainable tax planning to stay ahead.

The survey highlights a dual challenge: maintaining stability in traditional reporting obligations while adapting to volatile policy changes driven by digitalization and climate goals. Tax leaders are under pressure to align internal governance with public-facing narratives, particularly as stakeholders and regulators demand greater accountability. “As they grapple with widespread uncertainty, global organizations are focusing on what they can control as the tax function undergoes significant policy shifts with the added complexity of a fast-moving tariff environment,” said Amanda Tickel, Deloitte Global Leader, Tax & Legal Policy.

Transparency as a cornerstone

Tax transparency remains the top priority, with 82% of respondents expecting public tax disclosures to rise significantly within two to three years. National-level transparency laws, such as those mandating country-by-country reporting (CBCR), exert the strongest influence, outpacing voluntary disclosure initiatives. The growing use of AI to scrutinize CBCR data is pushing companies to enhance global data alignment, ensuring consistency between public tax narratives and internal strategies. This shift reflects broader stakeholder expectations for accountability, as investors, regulators, and the public demand clearer insights into corporate tax practices.

The survey also notes a rise in regulatory complexity, with tax authorities leveraging digital tools to enforce compliance. For example, real-time reporting requirements are becoming standard in many jurisdictions, requiring companies to integrate tax processes into their operational systems. This trend underscores the need for cross-functional collaboration, as tax leaders work with finance, IT, and sustainability teams to meet disclosure mandates. “Tax leaders must collaborate across the organization to understand where they are, where they’re going, and how they can get there,” Tickel added.

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Digitalization: Progress with caution

Digital transformation is a key focus, with 86% of tax leaders reporting “some movement” toward the OECD’s Tax Administration 3.0 framework, which envisions seamless integration of tax processes into business systems. However, optimism about AI’s role is waning. Only 29% of respondents believe AI tools will significantly improve accuracy, down from prior years, and even fewer expect cost savings. This cooling confidence stems from challenges in implementing AI-driven solutions, which often require significant upfront investment and data standardization.

E-invoicing, once hailed as a compliance simplifier, is now seen as a source of complexity. Many jurisdictions have introduced unique e-invoicing mandates, creating a patchwork of requirements that strain global operations. “This survey underscores a dual reality in global tax policy—while regulatory requirements and expectations for transparency remain paramount, emerging priorities like digitalization are reshaping, and even complicating, the tax landscape,” said Willem Blom, Deloitte Global Leader, Tax & Legal. Despite these challenges, digital tools remain critical for managing real-time reporting and ensuring compliance in a data-driven regulatory environment.

The survey also highlights governments’ use of tax incentives to attract global talent, with 66% of executives noting an increase in such measures. These incentives, often tied to mobile, high-skill workforces, add another layer of complexity as companies balance talent strategies with tax compliance. For multinational corporations, this requires sophisticated tax planning to optimize benefits while navigating varying national policies.

Sustainability’s rising prominence

Sustainability has surged from fifth to third in Deloitte’s impact ranking, reflecting its growing influence on tax strategy. Over half (55%) of respondents now view sustainability as a top tax concern, driven by carbon taxes, ESG reporting requirements, and energy levies. Compliance with carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs), particularly in Europe, is a significant cost driver, with 45% of African respondents citing CBAM expenses as a major challenge. These mechanisms, designed to level the playing field for carbon-intensive imports, are increasing operational costs for companies in high-emission sectors.

Despite the availability of grants and incentives to offset ESG investments, only 36% of respondents are fully leveraging these opportunities. This gap suggests a need for better awareness and strategic planning to align tax strategies with sustainability goals. For example, companies investing in renewable energy or energy-efficient technologies may qualify for tax credits, but accessing these benefits requires navigating complex eligibility criteria and documentation processes.

Sustainability is also reshaping corporate governance, as ESG metrics become integral to stakeholder evaluations. Tax leaders are increasingly tasked with quantifying the tax implications of sustainability initiatives, from carbon pricing to supply chain decarbonization. This requires integrating ESG data into tax reporting systems, a process that demands collaboration with sustainability and finance teams. The survey emphasizes that companies proactively addressing these challenges are better positioned to mitigate risks and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Navigating a complex future

Deloitte’s findings signal a transformative period for tax functions, with transparency, digitalization, and sustainability at the forefront. The anticipated rise in public tax disclosures underscores the need for robust data governance and stakeholder communication. Meanwhile, the cautious embrace of AI highlights the importance of realistic expectations for digital transformation, as companies balance innovation with compliance costs. Sustainability’s rapid rise as a priority reflects broader market and regulatory pressures, with carbon compliance and ESG reporting reshaping tax strategies.

To thrive in this environment, tax leaders must adopt a forward-looking approach, leveraging technology to streamline compliance and aligning tax strategies with corporate sustainability goals. Cross-functional collaboration will be critical, as tax functions work alongside IT, finance, and sustainability teams to navigate regulatory complexity. Governments’ increasing use of tax incentives to attract talent also suggests that tax planning will play a pivotal role in shaping global workforce strategies.

The survey concludes with a call to action: tax leaders must prepare for deeper disclosure requirements, embrace digital transformation with nuanced expectations, and integrate sustainability into their core strategies. By doing so, they can turn regulatory challenges into opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage. As global tax policies continue to evolve, organizations that prioritize agility and collaboration will be best equipped to succeed in an increasingly complex landscape.

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