Andreia Verissimo, the senior manager for US tax policy at Amazon, never set out to become a tax lawyer. That wasn’t the plan. What brought Verissimo to tax law was a curiosity about why so many people in her circle at law school discouraged others from pursuing it. “I wasn’t sure if their opposition to tax law was due to a general aversion to numbers or a misunderstanding of what it entails, so I decided to see for myself,” she says.
What she discovered was a field far more dynamic and intellectually rich than she expected. “Tax law isn’t just about calculations—it’s deeply connected to economics, politics, and history,” she says. “Economics explains how taxes influence behavior and income distribution, political science provides insight into how tax policies are shaped, and history gives context for how systems evolve.” This eye-opening experience sparked Verissimo’s interest in the broader dynamics behind tax systems worldwide. After she earned her Juris Doctor at the University of Lisbon, she pursued a postgraduate degree in tax law in Portugal, followed by an LLM in taxation at Georgetown University.
After completing her education, Verissimo launched a career in New York at the Big Four accounting firm EY, where she specialized in international tax. She spent a decade at EY before a new door opened—an opportunity to work at Amazon. It was not an easy decision, since the move would push her outside her comfort zone and into the world of tax policy. But, once again, Verissimo found that her curiosity paid off. She quickly realized that her technical expertise could help build policy solutions with real-world impact. Working in tax policy for such a large company proved especially rewarding, blending strategic problem-solving, global collaboration, and continuous learning—particularly now that the tax landscape is undergoing significant changes in the United States and internationally.
One of Verissimo’s key achievements at Amazon has been strengthening the partnership between its tax policy group and the broader tax teams. By creating a formal collaboration process, she helped ensure that policy efforts remain grounded in sound technical expertise and timely cross-functional input. Verissimo says, “In many organizations, tax policy can operate in a silo, but I believe it can only be effective when supported by technical teams.” The tax teams, she says, “are uniquely positioned to provide valuable insights and recommend practical and principled tax solutions. We just needed a process to make that happen, and that’s what we did.” The result is a more effective approach to advocacy and strategy, positioning the team to respond proactively to significant policy developments.
Today, Verissimo is at the forefront of some of the most significant developments in the tax world. “This is a fascinating time to be in tax policy,” she says. “The potential for US tax reform this year brings a lot of anticipation. At the same time, the [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s] Pillar Two framework is pushing toward a global minimum tax. Never before have we seen domestic tax systems so intertwined.”
Verissimo also chairs TEI’s Tax Reform Task Force. This specialized committee takes a comprehensive view of tax reform, from corporate and international considerations to compliance and state-level impacts. She says, “It’s exciting to work on issues that will have a lasting impact on businesses and economies around the world.” A holistic approach across tax policy is essential for any organization seeking to provide thought leadership and policy guidance. In the coming year, amid anticipated US tax reform, Verissimo and the committee look forward to collaborating with other TEI groups and continuing to elevate TEI’s reputation for technical insight.
Verissimo also has words of wisdom for those working in the field of tax policy, and she underscores the importance of communication and credibility. “Effective communication is critical—translating complex tax issues into actionable insights makes a real difference. “Making reasonable asks,” she says, is incredibly valuable. “Whether advocating for policy changes or negotiating with stakeholders, align your requests with broader goals and ensure they are well-justified and principled. Thoughtful, measured requests build credibility and help navigate the complexities of tax policy effectively.”
Outside of work, Verissimo relishes traveling to Portugal, her home country, and spending time with family. Adventures on the water—particularly waterskiing—are a welcome outlet, as are long, leisurely meals filled with good conversation. Recently, she was moved by the 2024 film I’m Still Here, which highlights an important period in Brazilian history, the military dictatorship that lasted from the 1960s to the 1980s, and reinforces enduring themes of human rights and free speech. This blend of professional rigor, global perspective, and personal reflection underscores Verissimo’s belief that tax policy—and indeed life in general—has the most impact when approached with curiosity, open dialogue, and purposeful collaboration.
