Three New NTO Products to Enhance Data Governance in Tax Administrations

Over the past year, the Network of Tax Organisations (NTO) has been developing materials and resources aimed at improving data and information management for tax administrations. Recognising the importance of data in decision-making, the NTO is introducing three innovative products that will be valuable to tax administrations globally.

These include a comprehensive Data Governance course, translations of the "Data Governance for Tax Administrations: A Practical Guide" manual into French and Spanish, and three online events to further knowledge through practical case studies and real-time exchanges with international experts.

The NTO’s Data Governance initiative addresses needs that have been identified in numerous tax administrations, where issues like data validation, irregular data capture, and unnecessary storage have resulted in additional costs and reduced data quality. Data, being one of the most crucial assets of tax administrations, requires stringent management to optimise its use and improve strategic decision-making.

Data Governance Manual in Spanish, English, and French

The NTO has sponsored the translation of the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations (CIAT) publication “Data Governance for Tax Administrations: A Practical Guide” into French and Spanish. Originally published in English in 2022, this manual is a product of the technical assistance projects that CIAT provides to its member countries. Through these projects, CIAT identified opportunities for improvement in data capture and storage, as well as data quality enhancement.

The manual outlines various tools for data management, such as data catalogues, documentation portals, and information lifecycle management. Its goal is to provide tax administrations with a comparative perspective to self-evaluate their Data Governance processes based on best practices. This also helps tax administrations to develop their own roadmap for improving their Data Governance. It is a comprehensive guide that explains how Data Governance functions within the context of tax administrations. By facilitating translations into Spanish and French, the NTO extends this knowledge to a broader range of tax authorities worldwide.

Download the manual here. 

Massive Open Online Course on Data Governance

The second product is an Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Data Governance, set to launch in mid-October. This interactive course introduces the content of the “Data Governance for Tax Administrations: A Practical Guide” manual.

This 8-hour online course is conducted in English and allows participants to progress at their own pace. It is free for tax administrations affiliated with NTO member organisations. Through video lessons, case studies, and a collection of additional resources, participants will gain a deep, applicable understanding of data management.

The course is unique as it offers deeper understanding and practical applicability on the subject matter, it was developed by professionals who apply Data Governance in their daily work. It is a course created by tax administrators for tax administrators. The curriculum covers common policies, both strategic and operational, and introduces a maturity model that allows each administration to assess its level of development in this area. Additionally, it provides practical tools for implementing significant improvements in data management.

It is designed for officials from various areas and levels within tax administrations. It is particularly useful for executives who require a general understanding, and for employees working in areas involving Data Governance. It provides them with a common language and understanding of what data and information represent. Essentially, it unites all strategic, operational, and support areas under a general framework, facilitating coherence in data management within the tax administration.

Online Events on Data Governance

The final product is a series of three events designed to offer an overview of Data Governance and its practical impact. The inaugural event “Data Governance at a Glance: from Theory to Practice” took place on 7 August, 2024, and introduced data governance and management. It was led by Antonio Seco, the author of the CIAT manual “Data Governance for Tax Administrations: A Practical Guide”.

This first webinar focused on Guatemala’s perspective, offering a detailed view of how Data Governance can transform tax management. The second and third webinars of the series will take place in September and November 2024, respectively. More information is this regard will follow soon.

These events are designed to raise awareness among participants about the importance of effective data management and to foster both practical and theoretical exchanges between peers and international experts. Subsequent online events will also serve as forums to address questions related to the course.

The value of the Data Governance initiative

The primary goal of these products is to equip tax administrations with the tools and knowledge needed to assess and improve their data management practices. This not only enables more informed and efficient decision-making but also contributes to better resource management and reduced costs associated with poor data quality.

The target audience for the NTO initiative includes officials from tax administrations affiliated with NTO member organisations. These data governance products are also valuable for secondary audiences such as customs officials or tax administration consultants providing services to multilateral organisations.

The NTO is committed to the continuous improvement of the capacities of tax administrations affiliated with its members. This three-pronged initiative aims to strengthen the abilities of tax authorities in effective information management and Data Governance. In doing so, the NTO seeks to optimise data-driven decision-making and enhance the operational efficiency of these tax administrations.

For more information, please contact: secretariat@taxcompact.net