ATOZ Foundation supports Tax Law research programme at the University of Luxembourg

The long-standing and trusted partnership between ATOZ Tax Advisers and the University of Luxembourg has entered into a new phase. After 15 years of generous support in the form of the ATOZ Chair in International and European Taxation, The ATOZ Foundation, under the aegis of the Fondation de Luxembourg, has signed an agreement with the University to support a targeted and strategic research programme in the field of international tax law.

During a signing ceremony to commemorate the new era of partnership, Keith O’Donnell, Managing partner of ATOZ and member of the Managing Board of the ATOZ Foundation evoked the Foundation’s core mission to support education through initiatives in Luxembourg and around the world. From aiding marginalised school children in Cambodia to promoting postdoctoral research in Luxembourg, the ATOZ Foundation seeks to shape the future, one idea at a time.

In their words to the audience, both Mr. O’Donnell and Marie-Hélène Jobin, Vice-Rector for Partnerships and International Relations, drew a parallel between the University and ATOZ. Founded in 2003 and 2004 respectively, the two organisations have grown together, sharing a rapid pace of development. For the tax firm, this has meant exponential growth from 50 members at the start to around 450 today.

‟ “It has been a fascinating ride for us, and we are delighted that the University has been at our side”

Keith O’Donnell

Managing Partner, ATOZ Tax Advisers

In 2009, when the Chair was first established, there was little academic interest in Luxembourg tax, remembers Mr. O’Donnell. However, through this close collaboration, the once-neglected field has grown to self-sustaining levels. “We need to have a crew of bright, educated people, and the University has done a fabulous job in that,” said Mr. O’Donnell, adding that “ (ATOZ) is delighted that the University has been so instrumental in raising awareness for tax and international tax in Luxembourg.”

For Prof. Jobin, both organisations “embrace a forward-looking and entrepreneurial spirit,” with ATOZ “proactively committed to research, education and knowledge transfer of topics crucial for Luxembourg’s financial centre and beyond.”

Following the opening words, former ATOZ Chairholder, Prof. Werner Haslehner and Associate Professor in Tax Law, Katerina Pantazatou, both instrumental in fostering the partnership over many years, presented the details of the cooperation project. Aiming to identify key gaps in the field, and address them with research projects that bring together international leading researchers and institutions, the programme’s research is already underway in three main areas:

• Withholding Taxation in International and EU Tax Law publication, coordinated by Dr Arthur Bianco
• EU Tax Law textbook, coordinated by Dr Alexandros Politis
• The second edition of Investment Fund Taxation (2018), with new contributions and updated information, coordinated by Dr Frank Salentiny

On behalf of all professors, researchers and students in the field of European and International Tax Law, the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance sincerely thanks ATOZ Tax Advisers and the ATOZ Foundation for their continued support of our shared research ambitions.

Photo credit: Sophie Margue