Public trust in tax systems in Asia ranks highest worldwide, according to a recent survey examining citizens’ confidence in fiscal processes.  

The findings suggest that digital accessibility and transparent systems play a significant role in strengthening this trust, particularly in South-East Asia and Anglophone Pacific countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.  

In contrast, survey responses from Europe and Latin America indicate lower levels of confidence in the relationship between taxpayers and the state. 

The research titled Public Trust in Tax 2025: Asia and Beyond was conducted by Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Accountants Australian and New Zealand (CA ANZ), International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).  

More than 12,000 participants from 29 countries took part, with the majority representing Asian countries but also including responses from Western Europe, Latin America, and Pacific nations. 

The report considers how people view their own experiences with taxation as well as their attitudes towards competition and co-operation between tax authorities.  

These insights were discussed at the IFAC Connect ASIAPAC 2025 event held recently in Jakarta, Indonesia.  

According to the findings, individuals surveyed in Asia generally perceive their tax systems as fairer and are more confident that public spending funded by taxes reflects value for society compared to those in other regions. 

In all participating countries, many respondents described taxation as a positive contribution to their community rather than simply a cost.  

This perspective was most common in South-East Asia where nearly two-thirds (64.7%) agreed. 

This contrasts with countries outside Asia where only about one-third of respondents shared this view.  

In three quarters of the Asian countries surveyed, there was a higher likelihood of agreement with the statement that their tax system is equitable.

This contrasts with less than one quarter of respondents outside Asia who held a similar view on system fairness. 

The survey also noted that digital tax services rank as the most successful aspect of tax administration across all regions surveyed.  

However, satisfaction with how tax authorities communicate was noticeably lower among participants from Latin America and Western Europe compared to those from Asia. 

Accountants are regarded as the most reliable source of tax information across all regions.