Program: Fiscal

Tax Expenditure and the Treatment of Tax Incentives for Investment

, , , , , and | 12 July 2018
Fiscal, Policy Briefs | Tags: Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Investment, Tax Expenditures
Governments use tax expenditures to boost investment, innovation and employment. However, these schemes are largely opaque, costly and often ineffective in reaching their stated goals. They also frequently trigger unwanted side effects. In order to improve the performance of these tools, we present three concrete ... continue reading

Domestic Revenue Mobilization and Tax Expenditures in Developing Countries

and | 11 July 2018
Fiscal, Blog | Tags: Domestic Revenue Mobilization, Tax Expenditures
Domestic revenue mobilization (DRM) is a fundamental component of any sustainable development strategy. This is particularly salient in developing countries where low DRM levels are often one of the most important impediments to inclusive economic growth. Whereas external financing – including, e.g. official development assistance ... continue reading

Energy Tax Expenditures in a Globalized Economy

and | 9 May 2018
Fiscal, Trade, Discussion Notes | Tags: Energy, Tax Competition, Tax Expenditures
Countries around the world have introduced energy taxes to expand revenues, reduce energy consumption and curb greenhouse gas emissions. In that context, they have frequently also implemented tax provisions to lower the energy tax bill for certain industries, households and regions. Tax exemptions and deductions ... continue reading

How’s Life?

| 22 January 2018
Fiscal, Monetary, Trade, Publications | Tags: Environment, Inequality
In November, the OECD published its most recent report on a short but fundamental question: How’s Life? Income is an important, but not the only factor in determining the answer. The OECD reflects this by going beyond the focus on GDP, that has for long ... continue reading

Shedding Light on Hidden Government Spending: Tax Expenditures

and | 20 December 2017
Fiscal, Blog | Tags: Tax Expenditures
Tax expenditures (TEs) are used by governments around the world to promote public policy objectives. Examples include tax deductions on mortgage interest to encourage home ownership and preferential tax treatment of pension savings. ... continue reading