Spend Now, Pay Later? Tax Smoothing and Fiscal Sustainability in South Asia

Spend Now, Pay Later? Tax Smoothing and Fiscal Sustainability in South Asia

Author: International Monetary Fund

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 1999-05-01

Total Pages: 35

ISBN-13: 1451848404

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This paper tests a version of Barro’s tax-smoothing model, which assumes intertemporal optimization by a government seeking to minimize the distortionary costs of taxation, using Pakistan and Sri Lankan data for 1956-95 and 1964-97, respectively. The empirical results indicate that Pakistan’s fiscal behavior is consistent with tax smoothing, but not Sri Lanka’s. Moreover, fiscal behavior in both countries was dominated by a stagnation of revenues, large tax-tilting-induced deficits, and the consequent accumulation of excessive public liabilities. Analysis of the time-series characteristics of tax-tilting behavior indicates that for both countries the stock of public liabilities is unsustainable under unchanged fiscal policies.


Spend Now, Pay Later? Tax Smoothing and Fiscal Sustainability in South Asia

Spend Now, Pay Later? Tax Smoothing and Fiscal Sustainability in South Asia

Author: Paul Anthony Cashin

Publisher:

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13:

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This paper tests a version of Barro`s tax-smoothing model, which assumes intertemporal optimization by a government seeking to minimize the distortionary costs of taxation, using Pakistan and Sri Lankan data for 1956-95 and 1964-97, respectively. The empirical results indicate that Pakistan`s fiscal behavior is consistent with tax smoothing, but not Sri Lanka`s. Moreover, fiscal behavior in both countries was dominated by a stagnation of revenues, large tax-tilting-induced deficits, and the consequent accumulation of excessive public liabilities. Analysis of the time-series characteristics of tax-tilting behavior indicates that for both countries the stock of public liabilities is unsustainable under unchanged fiscal policies.


India at the Crossroads -- Sustaining Growth and Reducing Poverty

India at the Crossroads -- Sustaining Growth and Reducing Poverty

Author: Mr.Tim Callen

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2001-02-15

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 9781557759924

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The authors examine the numerous structural and policy changes Indian authorities have adopted since the 1991 balance of payments crisis; how these changes helped India weather the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98; the risks to fiscal sustainability and their implications for growth; the challenges facing monetary policy in the face of financial market liberalization; and the benefits of structural reform and fiscal policy for growth, poverty, and the reduction of regional disparities.


Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Author: International Monetary Fund

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2002-09-26

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 1451823517

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This Selected Issues paper focuses on the fiscal position of Sri Lanka. The standard analysis shows that, prior to the adjustment announced in the 2002 budget, fiscal policy was clearly unsustainable, leading to a rising debt-to-GDP ratio. The paper looks at external debt and complements the analysis of the public debt dynamics. The baseline scenario shows that debt ratios decline significantly in the medium term, as a result of strong growth founded on renewed peace and political stability, far-reaching structural reforms, and stable macroeconomic conditions.


Research Activities of the IMF, January 1991-December 1999

Research Activities of the IMF, January 1991-December 1999

Author: International Monetary Fund

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2000-01-01

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 9781557759801

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Research activity in the IMF emphasizes the links between the organization's policy and operational concerns. The main objectives of research is IMF staff understanding of policy and operational issues relevant to the institution, and to improve the analytical quality of the work prepared for management and the Executive Board and the advice provided to member countries. The scope of research in the IMF is defined by the purposes and functions of the institution. In order to foster innovation and ensure quality control, the IMF makes much of its research available outside the institution and encourages staff to interact with academia and other research organizations through conferences, seminars, and occasional joint research projects. The visiting scholar’s program has also enhanced the quality of research done in the IMF. This program brings in leading members of the economics profession from around the world to assist in the preparation of papers for the Executive Board and to conduct research on IMF-related issues.


Economic Policy in Sri Lanka

Economic Policy in Sri Lanka

Author: Saman Kelegama

Publisher: SAGE

Published: 2004-12-08

Total Pages: 532

ISBN-13: 9780761932789

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The essays in this volume, written by well-known economists and social scientists, shed light on the intense national debates that accompanied the making of policy decisions in Sri Lanka. Studying the country's economy under six main headings: the ideology and strategy of economic development; macro-economic policy; the development of agriculture, industry and technology; employment and labour; institutional issues and governance; and social welfare, the book presents a comprehensive picture of contemporary Sri Lanka's economy.


Financing Armed Conflict, Volume 2

Financing Armed Conflict, Volume 2

Author: Thomas M. Meagher

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2017-02-08

Total Pages: 391

ISBN-13: 1137549939

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This second part of a two-volume series examines in detail the financing of America’s major wars from the Spanish-American War to the Vietnam War. It interweaves analyses of political policy, military strategy and operations, and war finance and economic mobilization with examinations of the events of America’s major armed conflicts, offering useful case studies for students of military history and spending policy, policymakers, military comptrollers, and officers in training.


Fiscal Sustainability in Theory and Practice

Fiscal Sustainability in Theory and Practice

Author: Craig Burnside

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 9780821358740

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Topics discussed in this publication include: an introduction to theoretical and practical aspects of fiscal sustainability; theoretical prerequisites for fiscal sustainability analysis; debt indicators in the measurement of vulnerability; cyclical adjustment of budget surplus; pro-cyclical fiscal policy using Mexico's fiscal accounts as a case study; fiscal rules and the experience of Chile; currency crises and models for deal with financing costs.