IBFD Academic Tax Conference (ATC)

The IBFD Academic Tax Conference (ATC) is an annual event that takes place in May at the IBFD headquarters in Amsterdam. It offers a platform for a thorough discussion on selected topical subjects in international tax law.

Overview of The Academic Tax Conference 

The conference aims to explore new perspectives and generate innovative ideas on various international tax law topics. This inclusive event seeks to foster dialogue and collaboration among diverse stakeholders to advance the understanding and application of international tax laws: although we cannot predict the future, sound research can certainly inform it.

Each year, IBFD chooses a highly relevant topic in international tax law and issues a call for abstracts (typically in May of the year before the conference).

Academic Tax Conference image

Eligibility to apply to ATC

We encourage academics, judges, practitioners, students, and anyone who has a specific interest in the tax topic of the ATC to submit their proposals in accordance with the specified guidelines and the September submission deadline of the year before the conference.

Eligibility to submit posters

We invite doctoral candidates in law, economics, or related fields, whose dissertations include at least one chapter or sub‑chapter addressing the ability to pay principle or a closely connected topic to apply for the Poster Program of the 2026 ATC, ahead of the December submission deadline.

See the accepted posters for the 2026 ATC

Attendance information

The Academic Tax Conference stands out from traditional conferences in that it encourages active participation and engagement from the audience. The same categories eligible to apply are also eligible to participate as attendees. While the event is open to the entire tax community, if there is an overwhelming number of applications, IBFD will strive to curate a selection that best suits the conference format.

Submission Process

Abstracts are evaluated for their relevance to the conference theme and for their scientific content. Each submission undergoes a blind peer-review process by the conference editors, with the selection process taking place in October of the year before the conference.

Event timeline

Authors of accepted abstracts will receive an invitation to present their draft papers at the conference in May, where active discussion and exchange of ideas with the conference participants will take place. Following the conference, authors will have the opportunity to finalize their work for inclusion in the conference proceedings, which will be published by the IBFD after passing a final review by the conference's scientific editors.

Academic event

This year’s conference 

The Academic Tax Conference (ATC) 2026 focuses on the theme “Ability to Pay in Tax Law”. The event will explore the multifaceted dimensions of the ability to pay principle, examining the theoretical and practical challenges of application in an increasingly complex global economy. 

This year's ATC will be held in Amsterdam on 21 and 22 May 2026.

Registrations

Registrations for ATC 2026 are open

Previous Academic Tax Conferences

Participating in the ATC at IBFD was a truly enriching experience. As a lawyer from Peru, it was an invaluable opportunity to present my draft paper to leading international tax experts from Europe, the U.S., Asia, and beyond. Their insightful feedback helped me refine my arguments, broaden my perspective, and enhance the quality of my research. I especially appreciated the thoughtful comments from IBFD editors, who reviewed the entire paper and contributed to a more polished final version. Beyond the academic value, the conference also offered a unique space for networking, allowing me to connect with peers and professionals whose work and perspectives will be key to my development and future career.
Paul Nina Nina, International Tax Law Research Group at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (GIDIT)
The IBFD Academic Tax Conference 2025 provided a profound exploration into the shifting paradigms of corporate taxation. The event was exceptionally well-organised, offering valuable insights from expert peers and editors. Reconnecting with esteemed colleagues in Europe and beyond further enriched the experience. I highly recommend the ATC to researchers seeking future-oriented rigorous academic discourse.
Christina Allen, Curtin University