Public confidence in taxation remains highest across Asia—particularly South-East Asia—and the Anglophone Pacific, supported by strong digital access, transparency, and perceptions of fairness, according to a new global survey on public trust in tax systems.
The report, Public Trust in Tax 2025: Asia and Beyond, has been jointly released by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The survey covered more than 12,000 respondents across 29 countries spanning Asia, Latin America, Western Europe, and the Pacific.
The findings show that taxpayers in Asia are significantly more likely to view their tax systems as equitable and believe that tax revenues are used for the public good, compared to respondents in Europe and Latin America. The results were discussed at the IFAC Connect ASIAPAC 2025 event held in Jakarta in December.
India emerged as a strong performer on tax morale and ethical attitudes. Nearly half of Indian respondents believe taxes are spent in the public interest, while a substantial proportion view paying tax as a civic contribution rather than a financial burden. Ethical standards were also high, with a large majority rejecting tax evasion under any circumstances. Additionally, India showed strong support for using taxation to fund sustainability and long-term development goals.
Across all regions, respondents were more inclined to see tax as a contribution to society than a cost, with this sentiment strongest in South-East Asia. Digital tax services were rated as the most effective element of tax administration globally, while clear and understandable communication from tax authorities was closely linked to higher trust levels.
The survey also found that professional accountants remain the most trusted source of tax information worldwide, reinforcing their role in promoting transparency, ethics, and accountability. Support for international cooperation on tax policy was strong, with respondents favouring collaboration to address global challenges, including infrastructure financing and green energy development.
The report concludes that while trust in tax systems is relatively strong in Asia, it must be continually reinforced through fairness, transparency, and visible public outcomes to sustain long-term confidence.
Read the report here.
