Comparing Europe’s Tax Systems: Consumption Taxes
How do consumption tax codes compare among European OECD countries? Explore our new map to see how consumption tax systems in Europe compare.
2 min read
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Spain’s Recovery Budget Comes with Tax Hikes
While other countries in Europe are working towards introducing tax cuts and stimulating economic recovery by supporting business investment and employment, Spain is putting more fiscal pressure on households and businesses.
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New European Commission Report: VAT Gap
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Contrary to Popular Belief, Value-Added Taxes Found to Be Slightly Progressive
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Brazil has the Opportunity to Implement a Simple Consumption Tax and Foster Tax Progressivity at the Same Time
Brazil has one of the world’s most complex tax systems. Brazil has the opportunity to implement a simple consumption tax and foster tax progressivity at the same time.
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Revenue Gains in Asian and Pacific Countries Likely Offset by COVID-19
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Global Tax Relief Efforts Vary in Scope and Time Frame in Response to COVID-19
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Germany Adopts a Temporary VAT Cut
Tax policy responses to the pandemic should be designed to provide immediate support while paving the way to recovery. A temporary VAT rate cut in the context of an inefficient VAT system is likely to deliver mixed results at best.
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Lessons from Alberto Alesina for U.S. Lawmakers
Alesina’s work suggests that raising taxes to reduce the federal deficit and national debt would be an economic mistake. The less economically damaging path is to cut spending, what some have called austerity policies.
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A Comparison of the Tax Burden on Labor in the OECD, 2020
A higher tax burden on labor often leads to lower employment rates and wages. That’s important for policymakers to remember as they look for ways to help their economies recover from coronavirus-induced shutdowns. If their goal is to encourage employment, policies that lower the tax burden on labor could prove a powerful tool.
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VAT Bases in Europe
The extent to which businesses and consumers will benefit from coronavirus relief measures like temporary VAT changes will depend on the VAT base.
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Denmark Unplugs the Economy
Denmark, a high-tax country with 5.5 million citizens, has implemented policies designed to avoid layoffs and bankruptcies and basically unplug the economy during the pandemic.
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Norway Opens the Fiscal Toolbox
Norway passed a large coronavirus tax relief package to address layoffs and bankruptcies, which includes a reduced VAT rate, the introduction of a loss carryback provision, and targeted postponements for wealth tax payments, among other provisions.
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VAT Rates in Europe, 2020
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