Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the shipping fees for print books?

*European country list: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

When will my order arrive?

The estimated shipping time is 3-5 working days.

How can I track my order?

Upon shipment from our warehouse, an email notification containing tracking details will be sent to the shipping contact address provided in your order.

Are there custom duty or import fees?

Please note that import or customs duties, if applicable, are the sole responsibility of the recipient. These fees are assessed by the customs authorities of the destination country and can vary greatly. IBFD is not liable for these costs and will not include them on your order confirmation or invoice.

How do I make a purchase in the webshop?

Use the website navigation bar at the top of the page to visit our Shop. There, you can add the item(s) that you wish to buy to your cart and proceed to the checkout. You can choose to sign in, or you can check out as a guest. If you chose to sign in you can use your IBFD log in credentials, otherwise you will be prompted to create an IBFD account.

How do I use a discount code or promotional code in the webshop?

If you have an IBFD discount code, it can be added in the 'Review' step when making a purchase in the webshop. Once the discount code has been activated, the discounted payment amount will be calculated and indicated in the 'Summary'.

Can I get a student discounts and on which products?

Students with a valid student card are eligible for a 50% discount on all IBFD book formats. We offer a 20% student discount when purchasing third-party books.

How do I receive a student discount?

Students can receive a discount by emailing a copy of their valid student ID or acceptance letter to Customer Support. A discount code will be provided upon verification.

Am I entitled to discounts due to the IBFD collections that I already subscribe to?

Please get in touch with Customer Support for more information.

Can more than one discount be applied to my purchase?

Discounts are non-cumulative, and the highest discount will be applied. All discounts are calculated and shown in the 'Review' step when making a purchase in the webshop.

How will I know if my order and payment were successful?

After making a purchase, you'll receive an order confirmation email from us. This email will also confirm whether payment was successful. If you do not receive the confirmation email within 30 minutes of making your purchase, please check your spam folder and then contact our Customer Support team.

What are the payment conditions in the webshop?

All purchases via the webshop must be paid during the purchasing process.

What payment methods can I use in the webshop?

Payments can be made using a credit card (American Express, VISA and Mastercard accepted) or PayPal.

What should I do if my payment fails?

Below are some troubleshooting suggestions:

• Ensure your credit card is authorized for international transactions.
• If your credit card has a spending limit, ensure it has not been exceeded.
• Note that international credit cards use a two-factor authentication process for international transactions. Both processes need to be completed before payment is authorized.
• Often another tab needs to opens in your browser during the payment process. To ensure this tab can open, please check that pop-ups are enabled in your browser.

How will I receive my invoice?

All invoices are sent to the client’s e-invoicing email address.

How do I pay my invoice using a credit card?

On your invoice there is a secure link that can be used to pay by credit card. When you use this link, you will find that all the necessary invoice information is pre-filled for ease of payment. If you're unable to use the link provided in your invoice, you can instead follow this link to our secure online payment site. 

Is there a handling fee?

If a customer requires us to:

• attach certified legal documents to their invoice, and/or
• submit IBFD invoices via an invoicing portal

then the following handling fee is applied:

• Third party supplier portal:  USD 250
• Client own supplier portal:  USD 350

What is an eBook?

eBooks are digital versions of books that can be downloaded and read on a range of electronic devices. IBFD’s eBooks can be purchased in the following formats: ePub (electronic publication) and/or PDF (Portable Document Format).

What is the difference between an eBook and an Online Book?

eBooks and Online Books are both digital versions of a book. You need to have internet access and login credentials to access an Online Book. Conversely, eBooks can be accessed at any time, once you have downloaded them.

What is the difference between an eBook in an ePub format and in a PDF format?

An eBook in a PDF format has a fixed layout that is the same as the original print book. In this format, it is not possible to change the font size, but you are able to zoom in on a page or a graphic. PDFs can be viewed on a wide range of devices. ePubs have a reflowable format, which means that the contents of a page automatically adjust to fit the screen size of your device. It is possible to change the font size, font, and margins, making it highly customizable.

What are the restrictions for using IBFD’s eBooks?

When you buy an IBFD eBook, it is for your personal use only. Copyright restrictions mean that you cannot lend, share, or otherwise distribute your IBFD eBook. IBFD eBooks are protected by Social Digital Rights Management (Social DRM). Each eBook file is personalized and contains watermarks that link the file to the customer who purchased/downloaded the eBook. This allows us to protect our digital content without hindering user satisfaction.

Your eBook must be download within 28 days of the date of purchase. Your eBook can be downloaded a maximum of five times to one or more devices. You cannot alter or modifying the contents of your eBook, or combine any part of your eBook into another document. You cannot copy or otherwise transfer any eBook file to any other person's device.

How will I receive my eBook?

After purchasing an eBook, you'll receive an email from us with a link that will allow you to download your eBook.

How do I download my eBook?

Our eBooks can be read on a number of devices. How you download your eBook will depend on the device that you're using. Before you upload your eBook to your chosen device, we recommend that you download it to your personal computer.

1. To download, click on the unique link that was emailed to you. Depending on your browser, the file will be downloaded to a folder on your computer (typically, to your “Downloads” folder). Otherwise, you may be prompted to open or save the file. If so, you can then save the file in a folder of your choice.

   Open your eBook reader software application (Adobe Digital Editions® is recommended for ePubs and Adobe Acrobat Reader for PDFs) and open the file from the location where it is saved.

2. To read your eBook, navigate to your eBook file and open it. You can also right-click on the eBook file in Windows Explorer, and then select the program that you'd like to open it in.
3. If you saved the eBook to your personal computer and then want to upload it to your iPad, you will need to connect the iPad to your computer, open iTunes on your computer, copy the eBook file and paste it into the Books folder of your iPad in iTunes. The eBook will then be accessible in Apple Books on your iPad.

Which eBook reader and software program should I use?

We recommend using either Adobe Digital Editions, Google Play Books or Apple Books for reading eBooks in an ePub format.

We recommend using either Adobe Acrobat Reader, Adobe Digital Editions, Apple Books, Google Chrome or Firefox for reading eBooks in a PDF format.

Due to the number of different eBook readers on the market, it is not possible for us to test our eBooks on all available devices. Our eBooks in ePub format should work on most devices, but the how it displays will vary depending on the devices being used.

I can't download Adobe Acrobat Reader/Adobe Digital Editions to my computer. What should I do?

Your firewall or virus software may be stopping you from downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader/Adobe Digital Editions. Check to ensure that pop-ups are not blocked on your device and that you are not using an Internet “accelerator”. If you are using a company device, please speak to your IT helpdesk for support.

How long will it take to download an eBook?

Downloading an eBook should take no longer than 3-5 minutes, but this will vary depending on the quality of your internet connection, your device and the size of the book.

How do I upload my ePub file from my computer to an iPad using Apple Books?

Before uploading your ePub to your iPad from your computer, be sure you have Apple Books installed. You can download the Apple Books application for free from the Apple iTunes Store.

Connect your iPad to your computer. iTunes should open automatically. If not, you will need to launch iTunes.

Copy the ePub file saved to your computer and paste it into the iTunes Books folder on your iPad. The ePub will now be accessible in Apple Books.

How do I upload my ePub file from my computer to a Samsung tablet?

Connect the tablet to your computer. You should then see a pop-up window on your computer giving you several options. Choose “Open device to view files”.

If this is not the case, choose “Computer” in Windows Explorer. You will find the tablet (GT) as one of the drives. Open Google Play Books on your computer, open the folder “Tablet”, then “Documents” and copy the ePub from your personal computer to the “Documents” folder.

On your tablet, open “My Files”, then “Documents”. Tap on the title of your ePub and select the application “Play Books” to open the ePub.

Ordering an annual subscription

When you buy an annual book subscription, your subscription will start with the next year's edition. If you would like to get the current year’s edition at a 30% discount, you can add the book to your shopping cart (along with your subscription to the same title), via the book subscription product page in the webshop. The discount will be applied automatically.

How long do I have to subscribe to a book subscription for?

Your subscription must last for at least two consecutive editions.

Do I need to order the latest edition every year?

Each year, when the latest edition is published, a copy will automatically be shipped to you. Also, a new invoice will be emailed to you for payment.

How do I cancel my book subscription?

After you have received and paid for two consecutive editions, you can contact our Customer Support team to cancel your subscription. If you have already received the next edition by post and you do not wish to keep it, you will need to return this to us before your subscription can be cancelled. Please see the 'Returns and refunds' section on our FAQ page.

What is an online book?

An online book is a digital version of a book. Our online books are hosted on the IBFD Tax Research Platform. When you buy an online book, we will send you login credentials for you to access it.

Are there access restrictions for an online book?

A subscription to an IBFD online book provides access to the book for one year, for up to five users at one location.

What is an online book library subscription?

If five or more online books are purchased at one time, this is considered an online book library subscription.

What are the access restrictions for an online book library subscription?

An online book library subscription provides access to the book for one year, for up to five users at one location.

When does automatic renewal apply to a online book library subscriptions?

• For institutions, the subscription is renewed automatically each year, with a renewal fee.
• For individuals, the subscription runs for a year and does not renew automatically.

The first year, you are charged the book price. Thereafter, a renewal fee is charged each year. Annual renewal fees are:

• 1–10 titles: USD 30
• 11–25 titles: USD 120
• 26–50 titles: USD 300
• 51–100 titles: USD 600

What is a pay-per-view journal article?

Pay-per-view enables you to select and purchase specific articles of interest from IBFD's highly regarded journal article collections.

Where can I find pay-per-view journal articles to purchase?

All of our articles can be found in our webshop, under the heading Journal Articles.

How will I receive my pay-per-view journal article?

After purchasing a journal article, you'll receive an email from us with a link that will allow you to download your article as a PDF. You will receive one unique link for each article ordered.

Are there any restrictions for pay-per-view journal articles?

You must download your article within 48 hours of receiving the email. It is forbidden to share your journal article with anyone else.

What language are webinars presented in?

IBFD's webinars are given in English.

Can I ask questions during a webinar?

If you join a live webinar, there is a chat function available that allows you to interact with the presenters.

Are IBFD webinars eligible for CPE (continuing professional education) credits?

Yes, IBFD webinars are eligible for CPE credits. We do advise you to check with your accrediting body as to whether only live webinars are eligible, or whether credits also apply to on-demand webinars.

Can I download the presentation given in the webinar?

Yes. The presentation given in a webinar can be downloaded via our webinar platform.

When will I receive access to the webinar and how long will I have access for?

On-demand webinars can be accessed for 12 months from the date that you purchase the webinar. For live webinars, you will have access to the webinar for 12 months from the time and date that the webinar is broadcast.

Can I cancel my purchase of a webinar and receive a refund?

Purchases of webinars cannot be refunded.

What software/hardware do I need to view a webinar?

To view a webinar, you need a working internet connection and a browser. The webinar viewing platform works on any device with a browser.

What should I do if I'm having problems viewing a webinar?

• My audio and video are not working properly: Check your internet speed, as this is likely to be the cause. If your internet speed is low, you can try switching to a different internet connection. You can also try refreshing your browser and video stream by hitting F5.
• There is an echo in my audio stream: Check that the webinar is not playing in two or more browsers at the same time.
• I'm having trouble watching the webinar via a corporate network: You might experience problems when watching through a corporate network or via a VPN connection. If possible, close the connection and instead watch the webinar through another permissible browser.
• Part of my video stream is shutting down/is not visible: Your screen may be zoomed in. Click Ctrl+0 to zoom out.

What format do IBFD's online courses follow?

Most of our online courses are self-study and self-paced.

When will I receive access to my online course?

If an online course has a specified start date, you'll receive login details to the learning platform on the day before the course starts.

If an online course does not have a set start date, you'll receive login details to the learning platform once your order has been processed and confirmed.

How long will I have access to my online course for?

If an online course has a specified start date and end date, you will find this information on the on the product page of the course in our webshop.

If an online course does not have a set start date and is entirely self-study, then the length of time that you have access to the course is fixed. The length of access is detailed on the product page of the course in our webshop and ranges from 2-4 months.

What study materials will I receive when I follow an online course?

You will receive access to audio-visual materials that include tax expert videos, interactive multimedia lessons, case studies, quizzes and assignments, as well as recommended and/or optional reading. The content of each of our courses is divided into separate lessons or modules. These are designed to ensure that topics are covered in a logical and systematic way. Key topics within a course are complemented by video interviews and discussions with international tax specialists. For easy reference, a folder containing your course material is available for you to download on the learning platform.

Is the online course material up to date?

To ensure that our course content remains up to date, they are updated whenever necessary and regularly reviewed for accuracy.

Can I ask questions during my online course?

If the course you're taking includes live sessions, you'll be encouraged to ask questions and interact with the instructors through the learning platform.

When a course is self-study, and therefore does not include live sessions, you'll receive immediate online feedback through revision quiz questions. If you have additional questions, these can be sent to us by email and an IBFD tax specialist will address them.

Are live sessions recorded?

Yes, if you cannot attend a live session, you'll be able to view a recording of the session later. By joining the live sessions, participants give their consent for the session to be recorded. There is a minimum number of participants required in order for a live session to take place.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes, once you have successfully completed a course, you'll be able to download a personalized certificate of completion from the learning platform. The passing grade for final assessments is 60%.

Depending on the course, the final assessments can be retaken once or twice.

Are IBFD online courses eligible for CPE (continuing professional education) credits?

Yes, IBFD online courses are eligible for CPE credits. Your certificate of completion will state the hours spent on study and can be submitted to professional bodies for CPE credits where applicable. If a course is also eligible for NASBA CPE credits, the number of NASBA CPE credits will be stated on the certificate.

Can access to an online course be transferred to another person?

Access to an online course cannot be transferred to another person.

Can I cancel my participation in an online course and get a refund?

Once you've been given access to an online course, it is not possible to get a refund.

What software/hardware do I need to access an online course?

To access you online courses, you will need a working internet connection. For the best experience, we recommend the latest versions of the following browsers:

• Windows: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox.
• Mac: Safari, Google Chrome, Firefox.
• Mobile: Safari in Apple iOS/iPadOS, Google Chrome in Apple iOS/iPadOS, Google Chrome in Android OS 6 or later.

You'll need a sound card and speakers for audio output.

What IBFD certification programs are available?

We offer several advanced certification programs in international tax, all of which are run twice a year on fixed dates:

• Advanced Professional Certificate in International Taxation (APCIT): Starts 1 April and 1 October annually.
• Advanced Professional Certificate in Transfer Pricing - Intangibles, Intra-group Financing & Services, Benchmarking and Valuation (APCTP-1): Starts 1 April and 1 October annually.
• Advanced Professional Certificate in Transfer Pricing - Business restructuring, Controversy, Indirect Taxation and Operational Transfer Pricing (APCTP-2): Starts 1 May and 1 November annually.
• Advanced Professional Certificate in VAT/GST (APCVAT): Starts 1 April and 1 October 1 annually.

When will I receive my login details to access the certification program?

You'll be sent your login details for the learning platform by email on the day before the program starts.

When do I have to make the payment?

Full payment is required upfront, when you register for the certification program. Payment can only be made by credit card or PayPal, via the webshop. It is not possible to pay in instalments.

Do you offer any scholarships or financial aid for certification program participants?

We do not offer scholarships or financing programmes to certification program participants.

Are there any one-off discounts available for the programs?

We do not offer one-off discounts for our certification programs. Only existing clients with a subscription may qualify for discounts.

What kind of study materials will I have access to?

Participants will gain access to a comprehensive suite of online learning resources, including online courses, videos, webinars, reading materials, and case study assignments.

Will I be able to track my progress as I move through the program?

Yes, you will be able to track your progress through the program and see how far you are with your studies.

Does the program follow a fixed schedule of times and dates?

While you have the flexibility to choose how you approach the program, there may be fixed dates and deadlines for case studies assignments, final assessments, and any live sessions that take place as part of the program. Please consider this before you enroll. 

Will I be able to communicate with IBFD tax experts and fellow participants throughout the program?

Each program offers discussion forums where you can speak with fellow participants. During any live sessions you'll be able to interact with the participating tax experts.

What are the requirements for successfully completing the certification program?

To successfully complete a certification program, you must:

• Comply with the stipulated percentage requirements for all compulsory program components and activities.
• Submit all case study assignments in accordance with the specified deadlines.
• Secure a minimum passing grade of 60% on any final assessment.

Do I have to complete all modules of the program within the 6 month period?

Yes, all components of a certification program must be completed in the set 6 month period and be completed consecutively.

When can I take the final assessment and what does it entail?

Participants are required to complete an assessment, in the form of an online test, either at the end of each module or at the end of the program.

APCIT
At the end of phase III of the APCIT certification program, a week will be selected during which the final assessment will take place. Within that set week, you can choose the date and time that you will take your final assessment. Once selected, the date cannot be changed.

Can I retake the final assessment if I fail?

APCIT
Yes, you may retake the final assessment once, free of charge, within the 6 month period the certification program is running. If you fail the re-take, you'll need to re-enroll and successfully complete the program to earn the certificate.

APCTP / APCVAT
Yes, you can retake the final assessment of each module once, free of charge, within the 6 month period the certification program is running. If you fail the re-takes, you'll need to re-enroll and successfully complete the program to earn the certificate.

Are IBFD's certification programs eligible for CPE (continuing professional education) credits? 

Yes, IBFD certification programs are eligible for CPE credits. Your certificate of completion will state the hours spent on study and can be submitted to professional bodies for CPE credits where applicable.

APCIT
Certificates are also available upon completion of each program component i.e., online courses and webinars. 

Can I transfer my place on a certification program to another person?

As the certificate is a personal qualification, registration cannot be transferred to another individual once the program has commenced and access has already been granted.

Can I defer my enrollment to a certificate program starting at a later date?

Registration cannot be rescheduled or deferred to a subsequent program once the program has begun.

Can I cancel my participation in a program after payment?

To cancel your registration, please notify us in writing. Please note the following fees:

• Early cancellation: If a cancellation is received 7 or more days prior to the program start date, a USD 250 administration fee will be charged.
• Late cancellation: For cancellations received less than 7 days before the program start date, the full fee will be charged.
• No refunds after program start: Once the program has commenced, no refunds will be provided.

I've forgotten the password for my IBFD account, how do I reset it?

Go to our website homepage and click on 'Sign in'. Click on 'Forgot password?' then follow the steps to reset your password.

How do I change my password?

Sign in and then click on the icon showing your initials in the top right corner of your browser. Select 'Account' then navigate to 'Personal Information', where you will see the option to 'Change password'. Follow the steps to change your password.

Why can't I login to the Tax Research Platform?

Below are some troubleshooting suggestions:

1. Check your login credentials. To access the Tax Research Platform, please ensure that your login credentials (email address and password) are correct. If you've forgotten your password or are unable to log in, please contact Customer Support. [info@ibfd.org]

   If you typically access the Tax Research Platform without logging in (e.g., IP or Referred Based Access) but are encountering issues, please continue reading below.

2. We strongly recommend that you use Google Chrome to access the Tax Research Platform, as it is the optimal browser for our database.
3. To ensure you receive important emails from IBFD, such as password reminders and other communications, please add the IBFD domain to your email safe list. You may also want to review your email provider settings to ensure that emails from IBFD are not filtered to your junk folder.
4. Clear your browser cache:

• If you use Google Chrome: You can find instructions on how to clear your browser cache here.
• If you use Firefox: You can find instructions on how to clear your browser cache here.

If you still cannot access the platform, please contact Customer Support.

I'm getting an error message when trying to access content on the Tax Research Platform. What shall I do?

Please contact Customer Support and provide us with the following information:

1. What are you trying to do? (e.g., view a specific page)
2. What link are you clicking on? (Please provide the full URL)
3. What error message are you seeing? (Please describe it in detail or attach a screenshot)

Please ensure the URL address bar is visible in the screenshot.

Once we have this information, we'll work to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

How many users can have access to a standard online collection subscription?

A standard online collection subscription includes access for up to 5 users.*

*With the exception of IFA Cahiers, where only 1 online user is permitted.

Can I add more users to an online collection subscription?

Yes, you can add more users at any time during your subscription period, for an additional fee. Please contact Sales for more information.

Can I change which users have access to an online collection subscription?

Yes, you can change who has access at any time during the subscription period. Please contact Customer Support detailing the changes that you'd like to make.

How long is the subscription period for an online collection?

Online collection subscriptions last for one year. Your subscription will automatically renew 60 days prior to the end of your current subscription period.

How do I access my online collection subscription?

Our online collections are accessible via the IBFD Tax Research Platform using your unique login credentials. We can also provide IP access. To request IP access, please contact Sales.

What is IBFD’s tax community?

The IBFD Tax Community is an exclusive online network designed for a select group of practitioners collaborating with IBFD. Through brief online activities, we aim to enhance practitioner engagement with tax by fostering interaction and exploring key topics.

How do I join IBFD’s tax community? 

If you'd like to join the IBFD Tax Community, you can register here. 

What can I expect when I join?

We aim to make your participation enjoyable and engaging. You'll receive occasional updates (roughly 1-2 emails per month). These might include quick quizzes, surveys and polls, invitations to join forum discussions, or opportunities to share your feedback.

Why should I join?

We'll share our findings with you regularly, providing valuable insights and allowing you to contribute to a stronger tax community. This is also a chance to connect with other tax professionals worldwide and understand their unique perspectives.

What is Incling?

Incling is the online platform we use to host the IBFD Tax Community. To find out more about Incling, you can visit their website: Incling.com.