Taxation

Modèles, traditions, innovations. Le Peletier des Forts et la renaissance de la finance sous le règne de Louis XV

by Joel FELIX

in Dubet (Anne), Luis (Jean-Pierre)(eds.), Les financiers et la construction de l’État. France, Espagne (XVIIe-XIXe siècle), (Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2011), pp. 125-154.

Reposant sur une correspondance inédite entre le contrôleur général Le Peletier des Forts et Delacroix, doyen des... more Reposant sur une correspondance inédite entre le contrôleur général Le Peletier des Forts et Delacroix, doyen des receveurs généraux des finances,cette contribution entend analyser les conditions politiques et financières du retour en grâce, en 1726, des financiers dans la monarchie.

L’analyse des idées de Le Peletier et des critiques que suscita son action administrative permet de mieux apprécier la pensée de ce ministre mal connu qui, à cause du conservatisme de ses principes, chercha à restaurer un modèle d’administration financière modelé sur l’exemple de Colbert. En épurant la finance
des excès de la fin du règne de Louis XIV et repoussant l’esprit des réformes de la Régence, Le Peletier contribua, plus que tout autre, à refonder un système financier qui, malgré les crises, allait subsister quasiment intact jusqu’en 1789.

Ce chapitre essaye ainsi de contribuer à une meilleure
compréhension des controverses concernant la place et le rôle des financiers dans la France de l’Ancien Régime.

Empirical evidence on horizontal competition in tax enforcement

by Luca Salvadori

Where Do Firms Issue Debt? An Empirical Analysis of Issuer Location and Regulatory Competition in Europe

by Lars Hornuf

Co-authored with Horst Eidenmueller and Andreas Engert

In this article, we study the choice of issuer location and regulatory competition in the European corporate debt... more In this article, we study the choice of issuer location and regulatory competition in the European corporate debt market. We find that, in absolute terms, Germany has by far the highest outflow of debt issues, while the Netherlands, the UK, Luxembourg and Ireland see the most inflows (in that order). We use a panel gravity model to investigate country specific factors attracting foreign subsidiaries as issuer. The data clearly support the prediction that the locational choice is positively influenced by a low withholding tax rate. There is also some evidence that corporate tax rates play a role. We do not find support for creditor protection rules in bankruptcy as a driver of cross-border debt securities issues. Hence, countries who wish to attract issuers are well-advised to reduce their withholding tax rates – creditor rights seem not to matter.

The global ‘order’, socioeconomic status and the economics of African identity

by Caroline Kamau

Kamau, C. & Rutland, A. (2005).

Chronic elitism within Africa has created a two‐tier milieu in which those Africans who are in a position to take... more Chronic elitism within Africa has created a two‐tier milieu in which those Africans who are in a position to take advantage of the global economic system often do so at the expense of other Africans. The effects of social class and indicators of individual economic mobility on African identity were thus examined. 213 Kenyans participated in this questionnaire‐based study for structural equation analysis. The main finding was that socioeconomic status (SES) positively predicts individual economic mobility, which then negatively influences African identity concepts, and that the significance of economic concepts for African identity depends on social class. For example, in the high SES group, materialism and cynicism about Africa's future economic global prospects were found to have a negative effect on commitment to the national economy and African identity. The general implication is that anti‐group economic behaviour in Africa (e.g. corruption, worker exploitation) is attributable to individual mobility, as well as to intra‐national and global economic structures.

Philosophical Foundations for 'Good Capitalism'? Labour's Business Agenda, John Rawls, and Property-Owning Democracy

by Martin O'Neill

co-authored with Thad Williamson

There’s No There There: Low Tax Rates and Economic Growth

by Filip Spagnoli

Low tax rates can be seen as a desirable policy goal for a variety of reasons. Your views on justice and desert may... more Low tax rates can be seen as a desirable policy goal for a variety of reasons. Your views on justice and desert may require a system of taxation that allows people to keep as much as possible of what they earn. Or you may have strong opinions on property rights, self-property, self-reliance and the "undeserving poor". In this paper, however, I will examine the merits of another and prima facie more convincing rationale, namely that low levels of taxation - especially low levels of taxation on the income or wealth of the so-called productive segments of society - are beneficial for economic growth. I criticize both the theoretical underpinnings of this view and its factual basis. The paper has three parts: 1) a description of the view; 2) a theoretical criticism; and 3) a criticism based on statistical correlations.

I believe this issue is of the utmost importance given the urgency with which many legislators and economists in various countries advocate tax cuts. This advocacy is regrettable because neither the theoretical nor the empirical grounds for it are sound. It may even be the case that low tax rates have unwanted harmful consequences instead of the assumed beneficial ones.

The Super-committee Collapse and America’s health care Future – Impact on Providers, Households and the 2012 Elections, The Forum at Harvard School of Public Health presented in Collaboration with Reuters December 16, 2011

by Adrian Toader-Williams

Keywords. Social Contract Human Rights Health Freedom Economy Economics Equilibrium TEKT Triangular Ecokinematics Theory Webcast Romania Retirement Law Education Security Sustainable Development Government Finances Banks Money Inflation Attribution.
Harvard Webcast intervention: Social Contracts? One of the main problems I see is that the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the entire health system, absorbs lots of profits. Healthcare is at the foundation of human rights, and all people should benefit. How do you see the health care system regulated as to respect human rights? The instability found in the social contract has to do with healthcare and retirement being secured for people. If there’s instability, it can lead to “civil unrest at different levels.” I think maybe we have seen a little bit of that with the Occupy Wall Street feelings about how society is ordered. Full transcript at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/forum/files/transcript-20111216.pdf

Harvard Webcast Authors: ROBERT BLENDON, DAVID CUTLER, GAIL WILENSKY, JOHN ROTHER, ROS KRASNY, ROBIN HERMAN.... more Harvard Webcast Authors: ROBERT BLENDON, DAVID CUTLER, GAIL WILENSKY, JOHN ROTHER, ROS KRASNY, ROBIN HERMAN. Intervention Adrian Toader-Williams: Social Contracts? One of the main problems I see is that the pharmaceutical industry, as well as the entire health system, absorbs lots of profits. Healthcare is at the foundation of human rights, and all people should benefit. How do you see the health care system regulated as to respect human rights? The instability found in the social contract has to do with healthcare and retirement being secured for people. If there’s instability, it can lead to “civil unrest at different levels.” I think maybe we have seen a little bit of that with the Occupy Wall Street feelings about how society is ordered. Full transcript at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/forum/files/transcript-20111216.pdf

Inequality Watch Newsletter

by TARKI Social Research Institute

Inequality Watch is supported by the Foundation Charles-Léopold Mayer pour le Progrès de l’Homme, in partnership with Veblen Institute, Afev and Alternatives Internationales

Inequality Watch, the European observatory of inequality, is a network resulting from the desire of associations and... more Inequality Watch, the European observatory of inequality, is a network resulting from the desire of associations and research centres to observe the state and evolution of inequality in Europe. It is the first independent information network for inequality in Europe. A better observation of inequality is necessary to be able to fight against it. To know and understand the evolution of inequality, the mechanisms that explain its increase or decrease and its consequences, is the key to develop more efficient policies to eliminate it.

Enhancing Taxation on Idle Agricultural Lands A Policy Study in Aid of Legislation

by Jeffry Acaba

Written by Francisco J. Lara and Rachael O. Morala
With Lelanee Lanuza-Reyes, Elizabeth Lacson-Paguio,
Ana Ria B. Manahan, and Jeffry P. Acaba

Tax Aspects of Fiscal Federalism: The Swiss Confederation

by Daniel P. Rentzsch

in: TAX ASPECTS OF FISCAL FEDERALISM: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS, Gianluigi Bizioli, Claudio Sacchetto, eds., 2011

This paper is part of a comparative analysis of the distribution of the taxing authority among different levels of... more This paper is part of a comparative analysis of the distribution of the taxing authority among different levels of governments throughout a broad range of nations. Switzerland being a mere Confederation in the technical sense of the word for centuries before becoming a federal state, it may well be one of the most prominent nations when looking for the significance of federalism in today's systems of governments. The distribution of fiscal powers has always been a central topic in shaping the country's implementation of federalism. And indeed there may be a strong interdependence, or as a Swiss constitutional law scholar, Jean-François Aubert, has put it: 'Tell me what your financial constitution is and I will tell you what your federalism is.' The paper undertakes to analyze the distribution of fiscal powers from a legal, institutional point of view, focusing on the power to tax. Tracing the historical development, it outlines today's horizontal and vertical assignment of taxing power between federal, cantonal and communal authorities. In this context, both the systems for harmonization of the income tax levied on all three levels of government as well as for avoidance of double taxation are introduced.

"Tan grans messions". La financiación de la cruzada de Jaime II de Aragón contra Almería en 1309

by Vicent Baydal

Spanish: El intento de conquista de la Almería nazarí por parte de la monarquía aragonesa, emprendido en 1309 de forma... more Spanish: El intento de conquista de la Almería nazarí por parte de la monarquía aragonesa, emprendido en 1309 de forma coordinada con el asedio castellano de Algeciras, había sido abordado únicamente desde la perspectiva factual. Por el contrario, en el presente artículo tratamos de profundizar en los aspectos materiales y financieros de la cruzada encabezada por Jaime II, aprovechando la rica y diversa documentación procedente del Archivo de la Corona de Aragón. Asimismo, la aproximación económica a los hechos ofrece una visión más detallada de la sucesión de acontecimientos y una nueva valoración de los mismos.

English: The attempt of conquering Nasrid Almeria, launched in 1309 by the Aragonese monarchy in coordination with the Castilian siege of Algeciras, had been focused only on factual perspective. Therefore, in this article we try to delve into the material and financial aspects of the crusade led by James II, combining the rich and diverse documents from the Archives of the Crown of Aragon. Likewise, the economic approach provides a more detailed sequence of historical facts and a new evaluation of them.

Critically Budget Analysis FY11-12 of Bangladesh

by Epimetheus JNU

© Epimetheus
The work is being done with the hand of Sultan along with the support of Anik, Biplob, Sharjil.

El naixement de l'impost del morabatí al regne de València (1265-1266)

by Vicent Baydal

English: The introduction of "monedatge" or "morabatí", the tax paid to ensure the stability of... more English: The introduction of "monedatge" or "morabatí", the tax paid to ensure the stability of the royal coinage, has a specific origin in the kingdom of Valencia which have not been emphasized so far: the financing of the military campaign leaded by James I between 1265 and 1266 against the revolted Andalusian in the Castilian kingdom of Murcia. In addition, the analysis of tax-money throughout the Crown of Aragon shows that its territorial introduction was closely related to the expansion of the power of feudal monarchy through the war and the negotiation with the estates of each kingdom.

Spanish: La instauración del "monedatge" o "morabatí", el impuesto pagado para asegurar la estabilidad de la moneda real, tiene un origen concreto en el reino de Valencia que no ha sido destacado hasta el momento: la financiación de la campaña militar llevada a cabo por Jaime I entre 1265 y 1266 contra los andalusíes sublevados en el reino castellano de Murcia. Además, el análisis del impuesto sobre la moneda en el conjunto de la Corona de Aragón indica que su implantación territorial estuvo estrechamente ligada al proceso de extensión del poder de la monarquía feudal a través de la guerra y de la negociación con los estamentos de cada reino.

The Constitutionality of the Taxation Consequences for Renouncing US Citizenship

by William Worster

Individuals that renounce their U.S. citizenship are held to a special taxation regime as a consequence for their... more Individuals that renounce their U.S. citizenship are held to a special taxation regime as a consequence for their expatriation that is unique in the world and, this article will argue, unconstitutional. Originally, renunciation of citizenship was seen as the ultimate income tax reduction device, but this option has now lost much of its attractiveness as Congress has passed “exit tax” provisions that impose a tax liability on individuals who have renounced U.S. citizenship similar to that imposed on U.S. citizens.

This article will argue that, as it currently stands, the exit tax is not constitutional because it is not narrowly tailored to achieve a compelling government interest and must be judged at that standard because it infringes on the fundamental right to expatriate and discriminates based on national origin.

Intercambio de Información Efectivo

by Natalia Quiñones

An Empirical Study of the Relationship between Culture and Personal Income Tax Evasion in Nigeria

by Jumoke Ogunleye

The Ranking of Oregon State and Local Spending

by Eric Fruits

Cascade Policy Institute, 2008

This study updates past research to benchmark Oregon’s spending. At $8,060 per person, Oregon is in approximately the... more This study updates past research to benchmark Oregon’s spending. At $8,060 per person, Oregon is in approximately the top third of all states in per capita state and local government expenditures. Per capita measures, however, do not account for demographic differences across states. This study use linear regression analysis to evaluate the extent to which Oregon over- or underspends relative to states with similar demographics.

Total expenditures Oregon ranks seventh in total overspending relative to its demographics. State and local governments spend approximately 10.6 percent more than would be expected for a state with Oregon’s demographics. Much of the overspending is likely due to public employee retirement obligations and interest on outstanding debt.

“The Automated Payment Transaction (APT) Tax” Presentation to the President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform.

by Edgar Feige

propose the replacement of our current system of individual and corporate income, sales, excise, capital gains, import... more propose the replacement of our current system of individual and corporate income, sales, excise, capital gains, import and export duties, gift and estate taxes with a single comprehensive “revenue neutral” Automated Payment Transaction (APT) tax. The APT tax consists of a flat rate tax levied on all voluntary transactions. The total volume of transactions represents the broadest conceivable tax base and therefore requires the lowest conceivable marginal tax rate. Since the efficiency (misallocation) costs of a tax system tend to rise geometrically with the marginal tax rate, a massive reduction in tax rates can save an estimated $300 billion of misallocation costs associated with the current tax system. The APT tax is automatically assessed and collected when transactions are routinely settled through the electronic technology of the bank/payments clearing system with no deductions, exemptions, or exclusions. The APT tax also imposes an automatically collected tax on cash as it enters and leaves the banking system. All income and information tax returns are eliminated as taxes are digitally assessed and collected by the financial equivalent of the E-Z pass that is now used to speed traffic through a toll booth system on highways. The annual savings in compliance and administrative costs are estimated to be $200 billion per year. Unlike the “Fair Tax” or “National Sales Tax” proposals which are highly regressive, the flat rate APT tax introduces progressivity through the tax base since the total volume of transactions includes all asset transactions involving exchanges of titles to property. The wealthy carry out a disproportionate share of these asset exchanges and therefore bear a disproportionate burden of the tax despite its flat rate structure. The perceived fairness, even handedness and simplicity of the APT tax will greatly reduce tax evasion, which the IRS estimates to total $325 billion per year. Like all taxes, the APT tax creates new distortions which must be weighed against the benefits obtained by scrapping the current tax system. Scrapping the present tax system tax promises potential benefits estimated at $825 billion annually. The proposed APT tax is simple, comprehensible, fair and efficient, with minimal administrative and compliance costs. The burden of proof therefore rests with APT tax opponents who must demonstrate that its costs exceed the $825 billion of potential annual benefits.

A Discourse on the Discordant State of Collecting Domestic Digital Duties

by Daniel Kent

July 2011

Current statutes taxing inter-state e-commerce are facially unconstitutional because they violate the Commerce... more
Current statutes taxing inter-state e-commerce are facially unconstitutional because they violate the Commerce Clause by creating serious burdens on interstate commerce through
requiring foreign corporations to collect sales taxes on e-commerce regardless of whether they have a substantial nexus within the taxing states and violate Federal Legislation.  State and Federal courts across the country have come to different conclusions regarding this topic.  Congress has not yet resolved this public policy issue in part because technology has been
moving faster than legislation has been enacted.  As a result of the recent economic downturn and states’ fiscal duress, this matter's significance is increasing as more states enact legislation that tax inter-state e-commerce.  An equitable remedy is warranted for all unconstitutional duties that harm taxpayers and litigation including class action suits by consumers and
merchants may be used as a strategy to resolve and obtain redress in the future.  Should states be required to refund duties paid by businesses or taxpayers, these governments must adhere to the doctrines of prospective retroactivity.  In the event that states are deemed liable to refund these unconstitutional state taxes, the liabilities will further exacerbate some states’
fiscal condition

Rules and their effects on fiscal policy in Sweden

by Peter Claeys