Together for 30 Years and Beyond
Welcome to the 30th anniversary page of the Intra-European Organisation of Tax Administrations (IOTA)!
This milestone offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on how far IOTA has come since its foundation in 1996, and to recognise the commitment, expertise, and cooperation of our Members and partners. Over the past 30 years, IOTA has evolved alongside its Members, adapting to changing environments, emerging challenges, and new ways of working. What has remained constant is our shared belief in the value of collaboration, open dialogue, and practical knowledge exchange.
As we celebrate this anniversary, we also look to the future.
IOTA will continue to support its Members in navigating an increasingly complex tax landscape, fostering innovation, and strengthening trust in tax administrations across Europe and beyond.
Who We Are in Numbers
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MEMBERS and 1 associate member tax administrations in Eurasia
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Tax officials of which about 60% are female
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Million registered PIT taxpayers
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Trillion EUR total net tax revenue
A Shared Journey of Cooperation: The Story of IOTA
The story of the Intra-European Organisation of Tax Administrations (IOTA) begins in a moment of transition and opportunity. In the mid-1990s, as Europe was reshaping itself politically and economically, tax administrations across Central and Eastern Europe faced the shared challenge of modernisation. Recognising the power of cooperation, seven tax administrations came together in October 1996 in Warsaw during the 3rd Conference of Central and Eastern European and Baltic Countries’ Tax Administrations. From this meeting, IOTA was born.
Formally established later that year, IOTA set out with a clear and pragmatic mission: to provide a trusted platform where tax administrations could exchange experiences, learn from one another, and develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. The Secretariat was launched in December 1996, and by March 1997, it became fully operational. That same year, the organisation took a decisive step forward with the signing of its Seat Agreement with the Government of Hungary, firmly establishing its Secretariat in Budapest—a home that continues to anchor IOTA’s Secretariat today.
The adoption of the IOTA Charter and the creation of the Executive Council marked key milestones in the organisation’s early years. These foundations enabled IOTA to develop structured annual work programmes and to grow steadily, both in size and influence. Under the leadership of its first Executive Secretary, Jacques Carre of the French Tax Administration, IOTA focused on building credibility and fostering trust among its members.
In its early stage, IOTA played a crucial role in supporting the modernisation of tax administrations in Central and Eastern Europe, especially during European Union enlargement. As many member states joined the EU, IOTA’s role naturally evolved. The organisation moved from focusing on transition support to becoming a mature platform for sharing best practices, fostering innovation, and enabling peer-to-peer learning among a diverse membership.
The story continues through the 'Voices of IOTA', as we pass the floor to our members and invite everyone to share their reflections, experiences, and memorable moments from this remarkable journey.
Voices of IOTA - What does IOTA mean to you?
important networking opportunity
To me, IOTA is important and a qualified networking opportunity with other Communication experts from all over Europe. We meet across borders, cultures and languages, exchanging experiences and inspiring one another in all the different ways (or fields) of communicating.
Gratulerer med 30 års-dagen IOTA!
Bente Karmann Tranberg
Senior Communication Advisor, Skatteetaten/ Norwegian Tax Administration
growth and collective learning
For me, IOTA represents networking, sharing challenges, and solutions, which is truly enlightening.
And IOTA for me means growth and collective learning, centred around building trust and creating value together.
So, Happy Birthday, IOTA!
Inge Mattens & Florence Angelici
Team chef Employer Branding, Spokesperson, SPF Finances/Belgian Tax Administration
trusted compass
For me, IOTA is a trusted compass in an increasingly complex tax world — a space where administrations learn from each other, exchange openly, and build lasting professional and personal relationships. Many of my most valuable insights and inspirations have come from IOTA meetings and discussions with colleagues worldwide. It has accompanied my professional journey for years and continues to shape how we think about cooperation and innovation in tax administration.
Alles Gute zum 30. Geburtstag, IOTA!
Chantal Sauber
Head of Collection Division, Main Division for Value Added Tax VAT, Swiss Federal Tax Administration FTA
discovering new friends and horizons
What IOTA means to me is discovering new friends and having new horizons, especially in the technical areas. I wish you a very Happy Birthday, IOTA, and best regards from Switzerland.
See you all soon!
Phil Abgottspon
Head of HR, Swiss Federal Tax Administration FTA
big family
For me, IOTA is a big family. It's a professional, stimulating environment in which collaboration and mutual support turn challenges into opportunities for collective growth.
Tantissimi Auguri, IOTA, per il tuo 30° compleanno.
Ilaria Petracca
International Sector, Agenzia delle Entrate/Italian Revenue Agency
valuable opportunity to foster dialogue
For us, IOTA represents a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and foster dialogue with colleagues from foreign tax administrations who, like us, work in institutional communication. Over the years, IOTA has provided us with insights that have helped us improve both our daily work activities and our professional skills. Buon trentesimo compleanno, IOTA!
Alessandra Gambadoro & Giulia Marconi
Communication Officers, Italian Revenue Agency
building together to become stronger
IOTA is about the connection among member states, providing useful information & lessons learned. Building together to become stronger. ‘Gelukkige 30e verjaardag IOTA!’
Jeroen Vandevelde
Assistant International Coordination Unit, PCP for FPS Finances/Belgian Tax Administration
community where we grow together
For us, IOTA is not only a network of tax administrations but also a community where we share ideas, support each other, and grow together. Being part of IOTA means contributing towards more innovative and stronger tax administrations.
გილოცავ ახალ წელს!
Dachi Kinkladze
Deputy Head of Department for International Relations, IOTA PCP, Georgia Revenue Service, the Ministry of Finance
The Story of IOTA Continues
Over the past years, IOTA has expanded well beyond its original core. From its seven founding members, the organisation steadily grew to include tax administrations from across Europe and beyond. Today, it brings together 43 full member tax administrations and one associate member, reflecting both its relevance and its reputation as a trusted international partner. Alongside this growth, IOTA strengthened its international engagement, formalising cooperation through Memoranda of Understanding with key global organisations such as the European Commission, the OECD, the IMF, and CIAT.
Throughout its three decades, IOTA has remained firmly grounded in practice. Its workshops, forum meetings, and publications focus on real administrative challenges, offering members concrete tools, shared solutions, and a space for open dialogue. At its core, IOTA has always been about people—experts learning from experts, administrations supporting one another, and a community built on cooperation and mutual respect.
As IOTA celebrates its 30th anniversary, it does so as a confident, forward-looking organisation. Guided by its vision to be a leading international platform for practical collaboration and knowledge sharing, IOTA continues to adapt to a changing tax landscape—while staying true to the spirit of cooperation that inspired its creation in 1996.
30 Years of Evolution
