In 1938, the International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD), was established as a small centre staffed by 4 researchers. The purpose of this bureau was to supply information concerning (the application of) tax law and to stimulate the development of tax science. From that day, IBFD has steadily grown into what it is today: the world’s foremost authority on cross-border taxation.

Employing over 70 research specialists from over 30 countries, IBFD is the pre-eminent, independent (non-profit) foundation that tax practitioners from all over the world rely on for high quality:

• Independent tax research
• International tax information
• Education
• Government consultancy

Mission statement:

"IBFD is a unique centre of expertise offering high quality information and education on International Tax. IBFD’s powerful research platform allows Tax practitioners around the world to access this valuable content, on which they can rely to do their work faster and more effectively. IBFD is the pre-eminent independent (non profit) foundation with the ultimate goal to promote and disseminate the understanding of cross-border taxation at the highest level."

With over 190 staff members from more than 40 countries, IBFD is an international organization in every sense.

IBFD currently has offices in 4 countries, spread across 3 continents:

• The Netherlands (IBFD Head Office)
• The United States of America (IBFD Office for Americas)
• Malaysia (IBFD Office for Asia and the Pacific)
• China (IBFD China Office).