Experts from Leading Firms at ITRAF Urged to Make Tax Research More Visible

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a gathering of tax scholars and industry veterans at ITRAF’s eighth International Tax Conference in Bengaluru, stressing the need for the forum’s research to reach beyond specialist circles.

She praised the quality of ITRAF’s commentary, noting that it already guides senior tax professionals. “However, its impact will multiply if it is presented openly to lawmakers and the broader public,” the minister said.

Sitharaman highlighted that ITRAF’s roster includes former chief financial officers of India’s biggest tech giants, senior tax leaders, senior advocates, and senior partners from top advisory firms—individuals who have educated generations of tax experts.

To date, the organization has published seven volumes, each featuring forewords by internationally acclaimed tax scholars. The minister also referenced ITRAF’s collaborations with institutions in The Hague, the London School of Economics, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation in London, reinforcing its international stature. She urged the forum to adopt a more proactive communication strategy to shape tax policy and public understanding.