KU Research Institute for Taxation

The KU Research Institute for Taxation pools and coordinates research, teaching and outreach on tax topics at the Ingolstadt School of Management (WFI) of the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU).

Seraphin Schwarzbauer attends Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

Discussing their own research projects with Nobel Prize winners – two young scientists from KU had this rare opportunity. Seraphin Schwarzbauer and Terhemen Agabo, research assistants at the Faculty of Economics, took part in the eighth Lindau Nobel Meeting on Economics at the end of August 2025. The international event is considered a unique forum for scientific dialogue and networking. Since 1951, Lindau has been a venue for top-level scientific meetings, regularly bringing together experts from the fields of chemistry, physics, medicine and economics.

Among other things, our institute member Seraphin Schwarzbauer had the opportunity to exchange ideas with American economist James Heckman over a walk and coffee. Heckman received the Nobel Prize in 2000. He discussed beer foam over dinner with Philip Dybvig, winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Economics.

Although the participants only spent just under a week in Lindau, Schwarzbauer says a strong sense of community developed: ‘I went home with the impression that I had made lasting connections.’ Through exchanges with colleagues, he realised how much he could gain from understanding different approaches, cultures and experiences. ‘That's why I'm now even more motivated to maintain curiosity and passion in my research and to engage with different perspectives.’

Hiking trip of the KU Research Institute for Taxation 2025

This year's hiking trip organised by the KU Research Institute for Taxation took place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in high summer temperatures. The hike started at the Kreuzeckbahn mountain station. From there, we began the ascent to the Hupfleitenjoch. Once at the top, we enjoyed the view of the Zugspitze and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. We then descended into the rear Höllental valley and reached the Höllentalangerhütte via the Knappenhäuser. After a short refreshment break, the last section of the approximately 10-kilometre hike took us through the Höllentalklamm gorge back to the starting point.

IN Campus Festival 2025

Last Friday and Saturday, we had our own stand at the IN Campus Festival 2025 on the campus lawn of the WFI - Ingolstadt School of Management!

Numerous visitors took the opportunity to find out more about the activities of the KU Research Institute for Taxation and the Master's programme in Taxation. Of course, our tax quiz was also a must — here, participants could test their tax knowledge and learn something new.

Thank you very much for your interest and the good discussions. We are already looking forward to the next time!

Job profile: tax advisor – career paths and activities

Last week, we welcomed Viktoria Feller (in-house tax advisor) from Rohde & Schwarz and Dr Benjamin Graßl (tax advisor) from Flick Gocke Schaumburg at WFI for a joint guest lecture.

The speakers presented the multifaceted profession of a tax advisor. In particular, they discussed the professional duties of a tax advisor and the choice between freelance work and employment. The content of the work and permitted secondary activities were also presented. Another important topic was on how to become a tax advisor by taking the German tax advisor exam. 
The informative part was supplemented by interesting insights into the practical work of a tax advisor. As part of a case study, the students gained concrete, case-related insights into the profession of tax advisor.

German Tax Advisor Congress 2025

On 19 and 20 May 2025, a group of students and doctoral candidates from the Ingolstadt School of Management attended the 63rd German Tax Advisors' Congress in Dresden.

The varied programme offered exciting insights into current developments in German and international tax law. Particularly noteworthy was the panel discussion on the topic of ‘Restart - How can Germany's economy become fit for the future again?’, in which experts from business, academia and politics debated ways to strengthen the German economy.

Another cutting-edge topic was the use of artificial intelligence in tax consultancy. In the presentation ‘Tax and AI - New developments in the symbiosis of man and machine’, practical application scenarios were presented on how AI tools can support the day-to-day work of tax law firms, for example through automated processes and intelligent assistance systems.

Half marathon participation of the KU Research Institute for Taxation

Participation of the KU Research Institute for Taxation in the half marathon in Ingolstadt on 10 May 2025

The KU Research Institute for Taxation took part in the Ingolstadt Half Marathon relay race for the first time on 10 May 2025 in perfect weather. In mixed teams of three participants, each team had to cover the half-marathon distance of 21 km together. The route led from the Konrad Adenauer Bridge across the city centre to the quarry pond and via the Klenzepark back to the finish line at the theatre. With great team results and happy about the distance achieved, the participants ended the day with a cosy dinner.