A global strategist for over a decade, Australian tax expert Jason Ward is known for commenting on global corporate tax issues – from US oil giants’ secretive tax practices to technology company Uber’s permanent establishment controversy.
Ward has multiple roles in the tax world.
He is a senior global strategist for the International Transport Workers’ Federation, adjunct senior researcher at the University of Tasmania, and a principal analyst at the Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability & Research (CICTAR).
Ward also became a spokesperson for Tax Justice Network in Australia.
Formed by a group of unions and organisations, CICTAR has provided data on the effects of corporate tax policies and conduct. The research centre aims to shed more light on corporations’ tax strategies – work which Ward has proactively taken part in.
With in-depth research into tax practices in the energy sector, Ward has strongly supported the Global Reporting Initiative by helping to mobilise over $10 trillion of investor capital – which is why ITR has chosen him in the top 50 tax profiles in 2022.
Ward is significantly involved in the fight against tax avoidance. Businesses should perhaps stay alert as he continuously pressures corporations to adopt greater tax transparency measures.
“Corporations with a poor track record on tax and lacking in transparency should not be rewarded with government contracts,” said Ward in early November this year.
Above all, Ward is determined to support shareholders to push companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Cisco Systems, to implement public country-by-country reporting.
