Pascal Saint-Amans

Pascal Saint-Amans is a prominent French tax policy expert renowned for his pivotal role in shaping international tax cooperation through his leadership at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). As the long-serving Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, he spearheaded landmark initiatives to combat tax avoidance by multinational enterprises, most notably the Base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project. His work has been central to the development of a new global tax framework, including the historic agreement on a global minimum corporate tax rate supported by the G20 and over 140 jurisdictions.

Early life and education

Born in Paris in 1966, he pursued higher education at the prestigious Sciences Po before graduating from the elite École nationale d'administration (ENA) in the promotion Copernic. His early career in the French civil service included significant postings within the Ministry of Economy and Finance, where he developed expertise in fiscal policy and international affairs. During this period, he also served as a technical advisor to the Minister of the Economy and represented France in various international negotiations, laying a strong foundation for his future work on the global stage.

Career at the OECD

He joined the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2007, initially holding the position of Head of the International Cooperation and Tax Competition Division. In 2012, he was appointed as the Director of the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration, a role in which he served for a decade. In this capacity, he oversaw the OECD's entire tax agenda, managing critical work on issues such as tax transparency, exchange of information, and double taxation. He played a key administrative role in the functioning of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes and was instrumental in the implementation of the Common Reporting Standard for the automatic exchange of financial account information.

Role in international tax reform

His most defining contribution was his leadership of the OECD/G20 BEPS project, launched in 2013, which produced a comprehensive 15-point action plan to close gaps in international tax rules exploited by multinational corporations like Apple, Google, and Amazon. Following the BEPS project, he led the complex negotiations for the so-called "Two-Pillar Solution" to address the tax challenges of the digitalization of the economy. This effort culminated in the 2021 landmark agreement among members of the OECD and the G20, including the United States, China, and the European Union, to implement a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% under Pillar Two and new rules on taxing rights under Pillar One.

Post-OECD activities

After stepping down from the OECD in late 2022, he transitioned to the private sector, joining the consultancy firm Brunswick Group as a senior advisor focusing on geopolitical and tax policy risk. He also took on roles as a non-executive director and advisor for several organizations, leveraging his extensive network and expertise. He remains a frequent speaker at major international forums such as the World Economic Forum and continues to contribute to public policy debates on global economic governance, often publishing commentary in outlets like the Financial Times.

Awards and recognition

For his transformative work on international tax reform, he has received numerous accolades. He was named one of the world's "Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting" multiple times by the publication Accounting Today. In 2014, the International Tax Review honored him with the **Tax Personality of the Year** award. The French government recognized his service by appointing him to the rank of **Knight of the Legion of Honour** (*Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur*), one of France's highest orders of merit. His leadership during the BEPS negotiations also earned him widespread recognition from finance ministers and officials across the G7 and G20 nations.

Category:French tax officials Category:Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development officials Category:1966 births Category:Living people