In the last fifty years, many countries have moved toward broad-based and flat-rate tax systems such as the value-added tax (VAT) and the flat-rate income tax. The main rationale for introducing a broad-based and flat-rate tax system is the belief that such a system increases the incentive to work, save, and invest, leading to a higher aggregate income and a higher standard of living. Yet, empirical evidence on the actual effectiveness of broad-based and flat-rate taxes is very limited. This dissertation combines novel methodologies with newly available data to provide causal estimates of the economic effects of broad-based and flat-rate tax systems. The first essay analyzes the impact of the flat tax reforms on GDP per capita and its main drivers. I identify 8 Eastern and Central European countries that adopted flat tax systems between 1994 and 2005 and apply synthetic control methods to estimate their counterfactual trajectory of GDP per worker in the absence of a flat tax. I find positive impacts in all 8 countries, with 7 out of 8 cases significant at the conventional level. The second essay estimates the efficiency gains of adopting a VAT in a worldwide sample of countries using synthetic control methods. I find that the VAT has, on average, positive and economically meaningful impact on economic efficiency. However, I find that this result is driven by richer countries only. There is no significant impact of the VAT on poorer countries. I find similar results when estimating the impact of the VAT on total factor productivity and capital stock per worker â"u20ac"u201c two important channels through which a VAT affects economic efficiency. The third essay estimates the causal impact of a VAT on productivity, capital accumulation, and input cost using Regression Discontinuity Design and firm-level data from France. I find no significant impact of a VAT on firms' productivity or input cost. However, I find some evidence that the VAT increases firms' capital accumulation. In addition, I also find that the impact of a VAT is heterogeneous across different sectors of the economy. / Bibek Adhikari

This study examines the operating costs of, and intentional compliance with, the value added tax (VAT) in Ethiopia. The study focuses on assessing the magnitude and nature of operating costs, identifying areas in the design and administration of the tax that contribute to the operating costs and the problems in the operation of the tax at large, and also on the link between VAT compliance costs and intentional output VAT reporting compliance decisions. The study adopts a mixed methods research approach to test a series of hypotheses and answer research questions that emerge through the review of existing literature and the experiences of the researcher in respect of the Ethiopian tax system. Specifically, the study uses surveys of taxpayers and tax practitioners, experimental design, interviews with tax officials and documentary analysis. The study statistically analyses the data elicited from the surveys and experimental design. It also analyses the results of in-depth interviews with tax officials and examination of documents held by tax authorities and other institutions. The results of this combined research methodology reveal that VAT operating costs in Ethiopia in the fiscal year 2005/06 appear to be relatively low. However, this low level of operating costs may not imply that the VAT system in Ethiopia is simple. In particular, in the case of administrative costs it is argued that it may indicate that the tax authorities are under-resourced which in turn may have affected their ability to accomplish the responsibilities entrusted to them. In respect of compliance costs, although the total costs seem to be low, it is contended that their regressiveness is likely to impact on the equity of the tax system as a whole. Further, the results show that VAT compliance costs and intentional VAT reporting compliance decisions are inversely correlated; but this correlation is statistically weak. The results also identify several concerns in the design and administration of the tax that have bearing on the operating costs and the operation of the tax. Specifically, the existence of the relatively high registration threshold, the high frequency of VAT reporting, the use of the invoice method of accounting (the latter two pertain mainly to small businesses) and weak administration are noted. iv The thesis suggests a series of measures which could be taken by the government and by the tax authorities in particular, to address the various problems identified in the study. These measures include strengthening the administration; allowing small businesses to adopt the cash basis of accounting and report less frequently; and reducing the registration threshold. The use of tax education is also emphasised as a strategy to improve compliance.

This study examines the operating costs of, and intentional compliance with, the value added tax (VAT) in Ethiopia. The study focuses on assessing the magnitude and nature of operating costs, identifying areas in the design and administration of the tax that contribute to the operating costs and the problems in the operation of the tax at large, and also on the link between VAT compliance costs and intentional output VAT reporting compliance decisions. The study adopts a mixed methods research approach to test a series of hypotheses and answer research questions that emerge through the review of existing literature and the experiences of the researcher in respect of the Ethiopian tax system. Specifically, the study uses surveys of taxpayers and tax practitioners, experimental design, interviews with tax officials and documentary analysis. The study statistically analyses the data elicited from the surveys and experimental design. It also analyses the results of in-depth interviews with tax officials and examination of documents held by tax authorities and other institutions. The results of this combined research methodology reveal that VAT operating costs in Ethiopia in the fiscal year 2005/06 appear to be relatively low. However, this low level of operating costs may not imply that the VAT system in Ethiopia is simple. In particular, in the case of administrative costs it is argued that it may indicate that the tax authorities are under-resourced which in turn may have affected their ability to accomplish the responsibilities entrusted to them. In respect of compliance costs, although the total costs seem to be low, it is contended that their regressiveness is likely to impact on the equity of the tax system as a whole. Further, the results show that VAT compliance costs and intentional VAT reporting compliance decisions are inversely correlated; but this correlation is statistically weak. The results also identify several concerns in the design and administration of the tax that have bearing on the operating costs and the operation of the tax. Specifically, the existence of the relatively high registration threshold, the high frequency of VAT reporting, the use of the invoice method of accounting (the latter two pertain mainly to small businesses) and weak administration are noted. iv The thesis suggests a series of measures which could be taken by the government and by the tax authorities in particular, to address the various problems identified in the study. These measures include strengthening the administration; allowing small businesses to adopt the cash basis of accounting and report less frequently; and reducing the registration threshold. The use of tax education is also emphasised as a strategy to improve compliance.

Thesis (doctoral)--Université de Lausanne.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2005. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-81).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 159 p. : ill., map. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 152-159).

M.Com. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (specialising in Taxation) / Tampon tax is a colloquial term in common usage describing taxes levied on female menstrual hygiene products that are taxed as luxury goods in spite of the fact these items are considered necessities such as food and medicine, which are either exempted or taxed at 0% in some countries. Tampon tax in South Africa is the levying of value-added tax (VAT), to female menstrual hygiene products. Internationally, activists have initiated various campaigns and protests for the removal of tampon tax as it is not regarded as a luxury but rather a necessity, and South Africa has followed suit. There have been various campaigns and initiatives towards making female menstrual hygiene products more affordable and/ or accessible to the females from low-income households in South Africa. Reduction in sales tax rates, removal of goods and services tax on female menstrual hygiene products and the utilisation of the income earned from sales tax on female menstrual hygiene products are options available to negate the economic effects of tampon tax on females in their reproductive years. This paper discusses tampon tax and its effect on social, health and the economic well-being of South Africa. The paper will include comparative analyses to what is being done in some countries to alleviate the negative effects of the tampon tax. This paper will also examine the value-added tax in South Africa. Arguments in favour of and against tampon tax are also discussed. / NG (2020)

Value-added tax (VAT) and similar taxes known as General Sales Tax (GST) are indirect taxes which are currently levied in over 150 countries world-wide. The republic of South Africa (South Africa) introduced VAT through the enactment of the Value-added Tax Act 89 of 1991. Financial services are exempt, by the Value-Added Tax Act 89 of 1991, largely due to the South African VAT system being based on the New Zealand GST system. It is generally accepted that in theory financial services should be subjected to Value-Added Tax. This study will outline the VAT effects of certain common financial services and how financial service providers may account for the related input and output tax. Additionally the application of the VAT Act against some of the more complex financial arrangements, including new financial instruments that have gained popularity with the increased availability to technologies such as the internet, will also be examined. This report is limited to the application of the VAT Act only and does not consider other fiscal legislation and its interaction with the VAT Act in this regard. Key Words Value-Added Tax, Financial Services, Exemptions, Complex Financial Arrangements / Thesis (M.Com. (Taxation))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Accountancy, 2017 / Online resource (141 leaves) / GR2018

This dissertation comprises three chapters. The first chapter investigates whether consumers can help governments improve firm compliance with the Value Added Tax. It exploits quasi-experimental variation from a government program from Sao Paulo, Brazil that created monetary rewards for consumers to ask for receipts. To assess how incentives to consumers can be effective despite potential collusion opportunities, I construct datasets for 1 million firms, 40 million consumers, and 2.7 billion receipts. I estimate that revenue reported in retail increased by at least 22% over four years. The estimated compliance effect is stronger for sectors with a high volume of transactions and small receipt values, consistent with a model in which there are fixed costs to negotiate collusive deals to avoid issuing receipts. Furthermore, the effect has an inverted-U shape with respect to firm size. This result is consistent with a model of higher baseline compliance among larger firms, and in which shifts in audit probability from consumer monitoring increase in firm size. I find no effects on exit rates or formal employment decisions.