A International Tax Manager is a professional who specializes in managing and navigating the complex world of international taxation. They play a critical role in ensuring compliance with tax laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions while optimizing tax strategies for multinational organizations. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for International Tax Managers.

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Main Responsibilities of an International Tax Manager

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an International Tax Manager:

Advise

Advise on transfer pricing and intercompany transactions.

Analyze

Analyze and interpret tax implications of cross-border transactions.

Anticipate

Anticipate and address client concerns and escalate problems as they arise.

Assess

• Assess and manage permanent establishment risks in different jurisdictions.

• Assess and manage value-added tax (VAT) and goods and services tax (GST) matters.

Assist in

• Assist in international tax planning initiatives and special projects.

• Assist in resolving transfer pricing disputes and double taxation issues.

• Assist in the business development and go-to-market activities.

• Assist in the development of tax policies and procedures.

• Assist in the implementation of tax technology solutions for efficient tax management.

• Assist with foreign treasury and cash management activities.

• Assist with global transfer pricing and updates for agreements.

• Assist with preparation and review of federal and state returns as needed.

• Assist with research and documentation of international issues and positions as needed.

• Assist with the development, maintenance and delivery of group policy and procedures and controls.

• Assist with US GAAP reporting for non-US acquisitions and integration of acquired entities.

Assume

Assume leadership with the team by mentoring and supervising staff.

Build

Build cross-functional relationships and understand tax position impacts on business divisions.

Calculate

• Calculate and maintain calculations of foreign earnings and profits.

• Calculate foreign tax provisions of overseas entities for completion of statutory audit filings.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with finance and legal teams on tax-related matters.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to optimize tax planning strategies.

Communicate

Communicate tax planning, goals, risks, and priorities to senior management.

Conduct

• Conduct due diligence reviews related to international tax matters.

• Conduct primary and secondary review of complicated or complex international tax returns.

• Conduct research and analysis of international tax laws and regulations.

Contribute to

• Contribute to systems integration projects for any newly acquired or formed entities.

• Contribute to tax awareness and appreciation.

Coordinate

• Coordinate and manage international tax training programs for internal teams.

• Coordinate outside advisers engaged to assist in tax controversy matters.

• Coordinate the preparation and review of the U.K. & Mexico tax returns.

• Coordinate with external tax advisors and authorities on tax audits and inquiries.

Develop

• Develop and deliver ongoing client education and training on Equus' tax solutions.

• Develop and implement international tax planning strategies.

• Develop and implement tools for efficient taxes management.

• Develop an understanding of client needs and become a 'functional expert' in the area.

Drive

Drive and implement changes required as a result of changes to tax legislation.

Ensure

Ensure compliance with country-by-country reporting requirements.

Evaluate

Evaluate and recommend tax-efficient financing structures.

Handle

Handle tax audits / queries / investigations / litigations with local tax authorities.

Help

Help with withholding determination and contract structuring.

Identify

• Identify and answer complex domestic and international tax issues.

• Identify and manage tax risks associated with cross-border transactions.

• Identify and research tax issues impacting global mobility.

Implement

Implement strategies to minimize tax exposure and maximize tax savings.

Keep

• Keep lines of communication open with staff and clients.

• Keep up with new tax developments and ensure compliance with local rules and regulations.

Lead

• Lead continuous improvement of internal processes.

• Lead this team and manage the overall process.

• Lead transfer pricing processes.

Maintain

• Maintain current tax-related certification.

• Maintain foreign tax credit schedules.

Manage

• Manage and drive the success of multiple I-TAX engagements.

• Manage and optimize global tax compliance processes.

• Manage and review Canadian tax returns including and coordinate for SR&ED credit.

• Manage and review U.S. federal and state returns including foreign information reporting.

• Manage, develop and coach team members through tax projects.

• Manage, direct, and monitor multiple client services teams on client engagements.

• Manage filing of Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act filings.

• Manage foreign income tax audits as they arise.

• Manage foreign R&D credit study.

• Manage intercompany loan agreements.

• Manage teams to produce client deliverables.

• Manage the cash tax forecasts.

• Manage the preparation of quarterly and annual tax provisions.

• Manage the preparation of tax filings in foreign jurisdictions.

• Manage the preparation of the estimated tax payments in foreign jurisdictions.

• Manage within budgetary and time constraints while providing a high-level of client satisfaction.

Meet

Meet agreed OKR targets in clients' engagement and issues resolution.

Monitor

• Monitor and analyse the changes to tax legislation that impact the Group.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with tax treaties and international agreements.

• Monitor and manage international tax compliance calendars and deadlines.

• Monitor global tax law changes and address financial and operational implications.

Oversee

Oversee and assist current clients, and participate in philanthropic community events.

Participate in

Participate in tax technology, automation and process improvement initiatives.

Perform

Perform tax research and analysis of technical tax issues, tax legislation and regulatory proposals.

Plan

Plan, execute, direct, and complete international tax projects in a wide variety of industries.

Prepare

• Prepare and present reports on international tax matters to senior management.

• Prepare and review international tax returns and forms.

• Prepare and review multi-jurisdiction income tax returns, and review assessments and tax payments.

• Prepare income tax analyses for accounting purposes.

• Prepare / Review international tax calculations for global tax provision.

• Prepare tax notes to financial statements.

Provide

• Provide advice on tax implications of employee mobility and international assignments.

• Provide appropriate and timely performance feedback to those supervised.

• Provide guidance on foreign tax credit planning and utilization.

• Provide guidance on international tax implications of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures.

• Provide guidance on tax-efficient repatriation of earnings.

• Provide planning assistance, audit defense and resolution, and prepare documentation.

• Provide support to both internal and external audits.

• Provide tax desk support for ad-hoc tax enquiries from the Group's UK and overseas businesses.

• Provide tax support to the treasury function as needed.

Research

Research and determine compliant and efficient tax treatment for a wide variety of transactions.

Review

• Review and advise management on compliance obligations in new international jurisdictions.

• Review and analyze GAAP financial statements.

• Review and optimize international tax structures for maximum tax efficiency.

• Review and work with outsource provider for foreign tax compliance and tax payments.

• Review international tax returns.

• Review tax legal entity organizational chart and manage changes in tax status.

• Review the reconciliation and analysis of tax accounts for foreign entities.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with changes in international tax laws and regulations.

Support

• Support foreign tax audit defense and notices as required.

• Support global transfer pricing planning, computations, maintenance and documentation.

• Support international aspects of acquisition accounting and integration, as needed.

• Support key business initiatives, including modeling for financial impact of taxes.

• Support the calculation of deferred taxes on acquisitions.

• Support the development of tax-efficient supply chain and operational structures.

Track

Track tax legislation and the potential impacts on the company's effective tax rate and cash taxes.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an International Tax Manager:

1. Expertise in international tax laws, regulations, and treaties.

2. Proficiency in tax compliance and reporting requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

3. Knowledge of transfer pricing principles and documentation.

4. Experience in international tax planning and structuring.

5. Understanding of tax implications of cross-border transactions and investments.

6. Familiarity with country-specific tax regimes and regulations.

7. Knowledge of global tax accounting principles (such as ASC 740 or IFRS).

8. Proficient in tax research tools and databases.

9. Ability to analyze complex tax issues and provide strategic recommendations.

10. Familiarity with tax technology solutions and software.

11. Understanding of international tax implications of digital business models.

12. Knowledge of foreign tax credit planning and limitations.

13. Experience in tax due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.

14. Familiarity with transfer pricing methodologies and documentation requirements.

15. Proficiency in interpreting and applying tax treaties.

16. Understanding of international tax compliance and reporting frameworks (such as FATCA, CRS).

17. Knowledge of tax-efficient supply chain and operational structures.

18. Experience with tax-efficient financing structures and treasury operations.

19. Understanding of value-added tax (VAT) and goods and services tax (GST) rules.

20. Proficient in tax planning software and tools.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an International Tax Manager:

1. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

3. Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

4. Attention to detail and a focus on accuracy.

5. Strong organizational and project management skills.

6. Adaptability and ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

7. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.

8. Strong leadership and decision-making abilities.

9. Ethical and professional conduct.

10. Continuous learning mindset and staying updated with industry trends.

Conclusion

International Tax Managers play a pivotal role in helping organizations navigate the complex landscape of international taxation. By possessing a combination of hard and soft skills, they ensure compliance with tax laws, optimize tax strategies, and mitigate tax risks. Their expertise in international tax matters contributes to the financial success and global competitiveness of multinational organizations.