Designing Interest and Tax Penalty Regimes
Designing Interest and Tax Penalty Regimes

Author: Mr.Christophe J Waerzeggers

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2019-03-18

Total Pages: 20

ISBN-13: 1498302017

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Nearly all tax systems have some form of interest and tax penalty regimes. Interest payable on any late or underpayment of tax seeks to protect the present value of the tax amount to the government budget, whereas penalties are intended to deter taxpayers from defaulting on their tax obligations—and to punish them if they do—to achieve horizontal equity vis-à-vis compliant taxpayers. As interest and penalties serve very different objectives, they should not be applied in a mutually exclusive manner. This Tax Law IMF Technical Note focuses on the key issues that should be taken into consideration in designing interest and penalty regimes in tax legislations.

Designing a Tax Administration Reform Strategy
Designing a Tax Administration Reform Strategy

Author: Ms.Katherine Baer

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 1997-03-01

Total Pages: 37

ISBN-13: 1451980396

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Building on previous FAD work in the tax administration field, this paper defines broad criteria for diagnosing the problems in a country’s tax administration and formulating an appropriate reform strategy. To be effective, this strategy should be based on the size of the tax gap and the country’s particular circumstances. This paper discusses some guiding principles which have provided the basis for successful reforms, including: reducing the tax system’s complexity, encouraging taxpayers’ voluntary compliance, differentiating the treatment of taxpayers by their revenue potential, and ensuring the reform’s effective management. Also discussed are specific bottlenecks that hinder the effectiveness of the tax administration’s operations.

Introducing a General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR)
Introducing a General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR)

Author: Mr.Christophe J Waerzeggers

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2016-01-31

Total Pages: 12

ISBN-13: 1513515829

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Tax avoidance continues to attract attention globally with strong support for tax law reform at all levels. This Tax Law IMF Technical Note focuses on some of the key design and drafting considerations of one specific legal instrument (being, a statutory general anti-avoidance rule (GAAR)) which is often considered by authorities to combat unacceptable tax avoidance practices. A GAAR is typically designed to strike down those otherwise lawful practices that are found to be carried out in a manner which undermines the intention of the tax law such as where a taxpayer has misused or abused that law. However, the objective of combating unacceptable tax avoidance can itself make the legal design of a GAAR complex. This is simply because the phrase “tax avoidance” means different things to different people. Whatever the form of a GAAR, it should give effect to a policy that seeks to strike down blatant, artificial or contrived arrangements which are tax driven. However, the GAAR should be designed and applied so as not to inhibit or impede ordinary commercial transactions. This Tax Law IMF Technical Note discusses and explores how drawing a line between those arrangements which should be caught by the GAAR is a matter of degree and can be delicate.

Managing Income Tax Compliance through Self-Assessment
Managing Income Tax Compliance through Self-Assessment

Author: Andrew Okello

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2014-03-11

Total Pages: 38

ISBN-13: 1475525699

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Modern tax administrations seek to optimize tax collections while minimizing administration costs and taxpayer compliance costs. Experience shows that voluntary compliance is best achieved through a system of self-assessment. Many tax administrations have introduced self-assessment principles in the income tax law but the legal authority is not being consistently applied. They continue to rely heavily on “desk” auditing a majority of tax returns, while risk management practices remain largely underdeveloped and/or underutilized. There is also plenty of opportunity in many countries to enhance the design and delivery of client-focused taxpayer service programs, and better engage with the private sector and other stakeholders.

Voluntary Disclosure Programs — Design, Principles, and Implementation Considerations
Voluntary Disclosure Programs — Design, Principles, and Implementation Considerations

Author: Ms. Dora Benedek

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2022-04-06

Total Pages: 39

ISBN-13:

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This note explores the conditions, design elements, and implementation considerations of a successful voluntary disclosure program (VDP), including its compliance with anti–money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) international standards. The note emphasizes that such a program must be offered in the context of a considerably strengthened and credible enforcement capacity—one that is explicitly publicized to taxpayers—to avoid undermining tax morale.

Why People Pay Taxes
Why People Pay Taxes

Author: Joel Slemrod

Publisher:

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 361

ISBN-13: 9780472103386

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Experts discuss strategies for curtailing tax evasion

Tax Law Design and Drafting, Volume 1
Tax Law Design and Drafting, Volume 1

Author: Mr.Victor Thuronyi

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 1996-08-23

Total Pages: 534

ISBN-13: 9781557755872

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Edited by Victor Thuronyi, this book offers an introduction to a broad range of issues in comparative tax law and is based on comparative discussion of the tax laws of developed countries. It presents practical models and guidelines for drafting tax legislation that can be used by officials of developing and transition countries. Volume I covers general issues, some special topics, and major taxes other than income tax.