About IFA

13,000+

global members

116

members from 116
countries worldwide

70+

more than 70 Branches globally

The International Fiscal Association, established in 1938 in the Netherlands, is the only non-governmental and non-sectoral international organisation 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.

The Association has particularly close relationships with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), its sister organisation, the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD), and the European Commission.

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.

History of IFA

The International Fiscal Association (IFA) was established in the winter of 1938 in The Hague, Netherlands, at the end of the interbellum. Though there were indications of a new war, the need had arisen for an independent organisation with certain objects. Along with the increasing internationalisation of the world’s economies, international tax issues had become more numerous and of greater importance.

With the need for more studies of comparative fiscal law and the need to cope with these new challenges, a platform was created by a group of people involved, with the aim to encourage the research on international tax issues by:

  • Publishing the annual cahiers in print and digital, with general reports on international subjects and the reports by countries related thereto. As well as other publications on specific subjects;
  • Organising annual congresses since 1939, regional conferences and seminars. Creating a prominent platform for bringing down the thoughts within IFA members and for making them known to the world, stimulating the discussion and bringing nuances to these.
  • Providing incentives on scientific work such as the Maurice Lauré Prize, the Mitchel B. Carroll Prize and the YIN Scientific Award.

IFA has grown to a truly global association with around 13,000 members from 116 countries. In 72 countries IFA members have established IFA Branches. For members in countries where an IFA Branch has not been yet established, IFA facilitates direct membership.

Membership

Joining IFA entitles you to become part of the world’s independent fiscal network and is simple to do through one of the following options:

  • Through affiliation with an IFA Branch in your country;
  • Through direct membership with the IFA General Secretariat in the case an IFA Branch has not yet been established in your country.

IFA is close to you: the great majority of IFA membership is organised in Branches established in 72 tax jurisdictions world-wide so to apply for membership please contact the IFA Branch in your country; they have all the information regarding membership and annual membership rates.

Applications for a membership in countries where there is no IFA Branch should be made to the General Secretariat accompanied by a recommendation from two members of the Association.

Upon notification and nomination by the IFA Branches, applicants for membership are registered in Global IFA’s membership administration. New members are officially admitted during the next Annual Congress.

The General Secretariat coordinates the Association’s administrative and scientific activities. For further information, please send an e-mail to Anita Burggraaf: ab.gensecr@ifa.nl