Tax Proposals, Comparisons, and the Economy

2023 Spanish Regional Tax Competitiveness Index

The 2023 Spanish Regional Tax Competitiveness Index allows policymakers and taxpayers to evaluate and measure how their regions’ tax systems compare.

Cigarette Taxes in Europe, 2023

Tax Trends in European Countries

In recent years, European countries have undertaken a series of tax reforms designed to maintain tax revenue levels while protecting households and businesses from high inflation.

BEFIT: One-Stop-Shop or One-More-Stop?

On 12 September, the European Commission released a proposal called “Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation” (BEFIT) and two associated proposals on transfer pricing and a Head of Office tax system.

Beer Taxes in Europe, 2023

As Oktoberfest celebrations kick off around the world, let’s look at how much tax European Union (EU) countries add to the world’s favorite alcoholic beverage.

U.S. Businesses Face Growing Impact from Tightened Interest Deductions and Higher Interest Rates

As Congress continues its work on the fiscal year 2024 appropriations process and associated tax provisions, it should consider an often-overlooked tax provision: the limitation on deductions companies take for interest payments.

How to Rein in the National Debt

Now is the time for lawmakers to focus on long-term fiscal sustainability, as further delay will only make an eventual fiscal reckoning that much harder and more painful. Congressional leaders should follow through on convening a fiscal commission to deal with the long-term budgetary challenges facing the country.

The Tax Policy Implications of the Spanish Elections at the Regional, National, and European Levels

The Spanish election results are moving the country away from pro-growth tax reforms while launching the government’s tax agenda, and the agenda of the Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union, into uncertainty.

Carbon Taxes in Europe, 2023

In recent years, several countries have taken measures to reduce carbon emissions, including instituting environmental regulations, emissions trading systems, and carbon taxes. In 1990, Finland was the world’s first country to introduce a carbon tax.

How the Moore Supreme Court Case Could Reshape Taxation of Unrealized Income

A major case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court (Moore v. United States) is calling into question provisions on large portions of the U.S. tax base which could quickly become legally uncertain, putting significant revenue at stake.

Net Operating Loss Carryforward and Carryback Provisions in Europe, 2023

Carryover tax provisions help businesses “smooth” their risk and income, making the tax code more neutral across investments and over time.

Global Tax Tug of War: Comparing the UN and OECD Approaches

The United Nations (UN) is preparing to flex its muscles on international tax policy. Several developing countries say the OECD’s approach favors richer countries at their expense, and the UN hopes to fix this.

Another Digital Services Tax in Sight

Canada is planning to join the club of countries that, in the past 3 years, introduced a digital services tax (DST) despite U.S. opposition and concerns expressed by Canadian businesses.

Patent Box Regimes in Europe, 2023

The aim of patent boxes is generally to encourage and attract local research and development (R&D) and to incentivize businesses to locate IP in the country. However, patent boxes can introduce another level of complexity to a tax system, and some recent research questions whether patent boxes are actually effective in driving innovation.

Blog

Short Form

July 25, 2023May 20, 2024

What You Need to Know about the Global Tax Deal

The technical rules that were once solely the province of tax wonks in D.C. and Paris are being brought out into the public sphere.

Weeding the Garden of International Tax

Simplifying international tax rules will not solve all the challenges that stand in the way of healthy cross-border investment, but eliminating unnecessary provisions would be a positive pivot relative to the trajectory of recent years. It’s high time that policymakers stopped pursuing ever more complex rules and started the hard work of simplification.

Benefits of Principled Tax Policy: EU VAT Reform Results

The EU’s recent VAT reform is an example of a win for governments, consumers, and companies. Charting a new path toward a more successful tax system.

A Mis-STEP for the European Union: The New Subsidy Race to the Bottom

Enhancing the European Union’s competitiveness is necessary, but the European Commission’s latest attempt is the wrong approach.

Diesel and Gas Taxes in Europe, 2023

As the EU pursues massive changes in public policy as part of its green transition, expect fuel taxes to be central to any policy discussions.

Examining the EU Corporate Own Resources Proposal: Implications and Challenges

The European Commission proposed a new source of revenue as part of its second basket of own resources: a “temporary statistical own resource based on company profits.” This is an attempt to bolster the EU’s budget as it repays its debt.