International Tax Competitiveness Index 2020
Our International Index compares OECD countries on over 40 variables that measure how well each country’s tax system promotes sustainable economic growth and investment.
13 min read
All Related Articles
Tax Modernization: A Key to Economic Recovery and Growth in Nebraska
A competitive tax code has never been more important, and these tax policy improvements can both strengthen the short-term economic recovery and promote long-term economic growth in Nebraska.
26 min read
Split Roll Initiative in California Threatens Property Tax Limitations on Commercial Real Estate
On Election Day this year, California voters will vote on Proposition 15, a ballot measure that would create a “split roll” property tax system in the Golden State, increasing taxes on just commercial property by $8 billion to $12.5 billion.
15 min read
New Census Data Shows States Beat Revenue Expectations in FY 2020
State tax revenue collections were down 5.5 percent in FY 2020, driven by a dismal final quarter (April through June) as states began to feel the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While these early losses are certainly not desirable, they are manageable and far better than many feared.
16 min read
More Countries Target the Property Tax
A recent OECD report reveals a tendency towards higher property taxes, often in the form of base broadening, tax rate increases, or both.
5 min read
Nevada Hoping to Extract Revenue with Mining Tax Increase Amendment
Nevada is not alone in its need to find revenue, but it should take care not to embrace bad tax policy in the process. Significant rate increases, a shift in the tax base, and provisions which make it easier to hike taxes than to cut them would heavily burden the mining industry in the state.
3 min read
Real Property Taxes in Europe, 2020
High property taxes levied not only on land but also on buildings and structures can discourage investment because they disincentivise investing in infrastructure, which businesses would have to pay additional tax on. For this reason, it may also influence business location decisions away from places with high property tax.
3 min read
What Can Connecticut Learn from its Neighbors About Property Tax Limitations?
Property tax burdens in Connecticut continue to increase even as property values decline, whereas other states—including neighboring Massachusetts and New York—have managed to keep the growth of property tax burdens in check.
42 min read
CARES Act Conformity Would Promote Economic Recovery in Nebraska
Nebraska lawmakers may ultimately opt for a package that includes both property tax relief and the renewal of business incentives, but they should avoid doing so at the expense of decoupling from the CARES Act’s liquidity-enhancing provisions.
6 min read
New Jersey Considers Bonds Paid for by Statewide Property Tax
As New Jersey lawmakers grapple with reduced revenues due to the coronavirus pandemic, they have turned to an unusual solution: the issuance of bonds that would be repaid, if necessary, through temporarily higher sales and property taxes.
2 min read
Does Your State Tax Business Inventory?
Inventory taxes are levied regardless of whether a business makes a profit, adding to the burden of businesses already struggling to stay afloat.
2 min read
Reliance on Property Taxes in Europe
1 min read
Taxes: The Price We Pay for Government
Have you ever wondered where the money comes from to build roads, maintain a national defense, or pay for programs like Social Security? Taxes.
New OECD Study: Consumption Tax Revenues during Economic Downturns
Compared to other tax revenue sources, consumption tax revenue as a share of GDP tends to be relatively stable over time, even during economic downturns.
2 min read
Tax Policy and Economic Downturns
The Great Recession provides some insight into how tax revenues declined during a deep recession. Across OECD countries, revenues fell by 11 percent from 2008 to 2009 with corporate income taxes seeing the steepest decline at 28 percent. Revenues from individual income taxes fell by 16 percent.
4 min read
