Indirect taxes and global trade

In recent years, issues related to managing indirect taxes — such as VAT, GST, customs and excise duties — have risen on the corporate agenda.

The team

photographic portrait of Kevin MacAuley
Kevin MacAuley
EY Global Director of Indirect Tax
Photographic portrait of Maria Hevia Alvarez
Maria Hevia Alvarez
EY Global Indirect Tax Deputy Leader
Photographic portrait of Jeroen Scholten
Jeroen Scholten
EY Global Trade Leader, Indirect Tax
Featured Thinking

A multi-ethnic family of three are walking hand-in-hand outdoors with their adorable mixed-race son in the middle.

What EY can do for you

Knowing the indirect tax rules for your business operations and applying them correctly are key to avoid assessments, penalties and goods blocked on airports, harbors, roads, etc. Taxpayers and tax administrators do not always agree about the rules. Complex local legislation, evolving business models and widely different compliance obligations in different jurisdictions add to the risk of disagreements.

We can advise you on the steps to take to strategically meet your tax obligations and resolve tax controversy. We foster an open dialogue with customs authorities, government officials, business partners and other stakeholders about customs and international trade issues, the impact of policy decisions and the importance of free trade.

Indirect tax symposium highlights 

Welcome to Issue 2 2024 of TradeWatch

In this second issue of the year, we explore some key themes impacting global trade, including customs valuation, digital trade, outsourcing and sustainability. We have dealt with many of these topics in previous editions of TradeWatch, and in this issue, we provide additional updates and insights into how these topics are developing.

Download full report
Tradewatch cover 2024

How EY can help

The team

Kevin MacAuley

EY Global Director of Indirect Tax
Longtime authority on VAT and its impact on global supply chains. Digital thinker skilled in designing and implementing systems. Regular speaker at conferences around the world.
London, GBR

Maria Hevia Alvarez

EY Global Indirect Tax Deputy Leader
VAT automation leader. Frequent conference speaker. Avid traveler.
New York, USA

Jeroen Scholten

EY Global Trade Leader, Indirect Tax
University lecturer. Podcast enthusiast. Global trade account leader across multiple sectors.
Amsterdam, NLD

Yoichi Ohira

EY Japan Indirect Tax Leader; Partner, Ernst & Young Tax co.
Providing practical, results-oriented services that companies can immediately put into action.
Tokyo, JPN

Tracey Kuuskoski

EY Asia Pacific Tax Centre, Indirect Tax Leader
Redesigning operating models, exploring the art of the possible and innovating what comes after what is next. Flexible. Family. Nomad.
Hong Kong SAR,

J. Michael Heldebrand

Partner, Global trade, Ernst & Young LLP
Transformational market leader passionate about relationship development and inspiring others with vision. Committed to promoting diversity and inclusiveness. Married and dad to two teenage daughters.
San Jose, USA

Walter De Wit

EY Global Trade Indirect Tax Partner
Experienced partner and thought leader in indirect tax and global trade. Family man. Father of three sons. Loves golf, hiking and wine.
Amsterdam, NLD

Ros Barr

EY Global Indirect Tax Knowledge Leader
Seeking to communicate information, insights and knowledge about indirect taxes in a direct and innovative way.
London, GBR

Robert Smith

EY Trade Connect Leader
Experienced at helping companies to manage their global indirect tax function in developing and developed markets.
Irvine, USA

Worldwide VAT, GST and Sales Tax Guide

Outlining value-added tax (VAT) systems in 150 jurisdictions, the 2024 edition of our Worldwide VAT, GST and Sales Tax Guide is now available.

Find out more
Aerial view of yachts victoria australia

Our latest thinking

    Podcast: How unilateral digital services taxes put global tax reforms in motion

    This episode of Tax and Law in Focus explores how the proliferation of DSTs has helped fast-track BEPS 2.0, triggering the biggest shake-up in international taxation for decades.

    Discover more
    Woman using laptop at home
    Contact us
    Like what you’ve seen? Get in touch to learn more.

    EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.