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SAP S/4HANA Tax: Ready for the Transformation

More and more companies worldwide are adopting the new SAP S/4HANA system. Since the current SAP ERP (ECC 6.0) systems will no longer be supported by the manufacturer starting in 2030—and no later than 2033—it is advisable to begin planning for the migration to S/4HANA early on. In addition to the new, device-independent FIORI user interface, the latest SAP version offers, above all, a significantly more powerful technical foundation: the HANA (High-performance ANalytic Appliance) database.

The transition to SAP S/4HANA presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the tax department. WTS supports you with tax and technological expertise—from tax strategy to implementation in the system.

Why SAP S/4HANA Is Now a Tax Issue

Our many years of experience show how important it is to involve the tax function as a key stakeholder early on in S/4HANA transformation projects. A comprehensive requirements analysis is the foundation for the long-term success of the entire project, including from a tax perspective. This applies to core tax processes and pre-processes, such as procurement (P2P), sales (O2C), and accounting (R2R). Within the core tax processes, there is a wide range of issues that the tax function must take into account during the SAP S/4HANA implementation or migration.

In addition to necessary adjustments for migrating the current status quo (“lift and shift”) amid changing framework conditions (e.g., account logic/tax ledger, tax determination logic, master data management), tax in S/4HANA offers enormous potential for digitizing and automating processes. This not only helps reduce the workload on employees in the tax function but also leads to sustainable cost savings through increased efficiency.

Your Partner for a Successful SAP S/4HANA Migration

With WTS, you benefit from a combination of in-depth tax expertise, many years of SAP experience, and proven project methodologies.
We speak the language of both the tax department and IT—and ensure that tax requirements are not only designed but also implemented correctly in the system.

Risk Mitigation

Reducing tax errors through well-defined process and data models

Increased Efficiency

Streamlined, automated tax processes in SAP S/4HANA

Transparency & Compliance

Transparent tax logic and robust reporting structures

Future-proof and tailor-made

We create a customized architecture that is prepared for further steps toward digitalization

Entire Process

From requirements analysis through technical development to final implementation and training of your employees

Tax & IT

We combine tax expertise with IT expertise

Our SAP S/4HANA Tax Service Portfolio in Detail

WTS provides comprehensive support for the tax planning and implementation of your SAP S/4HANA landscape—regardless of whether you are in the strategy phase, the design phase, or already in the rollout phase.

SAP withholding tax

VAT Reporting DRC

SAP RAM

What Matters to Tax Departments

In many projects, we repeatedly encounter similar questions from tax departments:

How can I ensure that all tax requirements are taken into account in the SAP S/4HANA project?
How do I organize collaboration between Tax, Finance, IT, and external implementation partners?
What data will I need in the future for tax compliance, documentation requirements, and tax analyses?
How can I use the SAP S/4HANA transformation to fundamentally modernize my tax processes?

We systematically address these questions—and translate them into concrete business and technical measures within the project.

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Strengthen Your Tax Function for SAP S/4HANA Now

Are you planning to implement SAP S/4HANA, or are you already in the midst of a transformation project? We’d be happy to work with you to assess whether your tax function is optimally integrated and where additional value can be created. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation or an SAP S/4HANA Tax Readiness Check.

Ellen Birkemeyer

Partner Digital

Germany, Dusseldorf

+ 49 211 20050 851

ellen.birkemeyer@wts.de

Mischa Brehm

Director Digital

München

+49 171 9268995

Mischa.Brehm@wts.de

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Frequently Asked Questions About SAP S/4HANA and Tax

Does the tax department need to be involved in every SAP S/4HANA project?

Yes — at least when it comes to key design decisions that have tax implications. These include the chart of accounts, tax codes, posting logic, data models, and reporting requirements. If the tax function is brought in too late, it often results in retroactive adjustments and additional costs.

At what point should the tax department start looking into SAP S/4HANA?

Ideally, this should be done as early as the strategy and concept phase. At this stage, tax requirements can still be efficiently integrated into the overall architecture. Later in the project, adjustments are usually more time-consuming and involve greater risk.

What role does tax technology play in the SAP S/4HANA environment?

Tax technology solutions and tax engines can efficiently model complex tax logic, such as for indirect taxes. When integrated with SAP S/4HANA, they enable automation, standardized processes, and improved data quality for tax compliance and reporting.

Does WTS also support international SAP S/4HANA rollouts?

Yes. We support national and international rollouts and ensure that local tax requirements and global governance guidelines are consistently implemented in your SAP S/4HANA landscape.

How can I start with SAP S/4HANA transformation?

A pragmatic starting point is a concise SAP S/4HANA Tax Readiness Check. During this process, we work with you to identify the most important areas for action, risks, and opportunities—and define specific next steps for your tax department.

Further Digital Services

Tax Tech & Processes

Digital Income Tax & Reporting

Digital service per tax topic

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Do you have any questions about our services or WTS? Please let us know. Please fill in our short contact form. We will get in touch with you as soon as possible.

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