International Exchange of Information in the Field of Direct Taxation

In connection with continually widening public budget deficits and related attempts of States to remove (or at least to eliminate) unfair tax practices, issues regarding the exchange of information, which is necessary for the proper performance of provisions of conventions for the avoidance of double taxation and/or national laws, have become topical. The purpose of this paper which includes starting points for subsequent analyses is to describe and assess the existing situation in the area of enshrinement of the concept of exchange of information in current conventions for avoidance of double taxation concluded by the Czech Republic according to the state valid on 1 January 2013. Having regard to this objective defined, the authors ignore other aspects such as the existence of memoranda of mutual cooperation concerning the exchange of information, existence of tax information exchange agreements concluded by the Czech Republic and Euroepan Union law in the given area and their contents. They briefly refer to these and other aspects in the chapter called “Discussion” where they point to other research possibilities in this area.

Comparative Analysis of the Effect of Direct and Indirect Taxation Revenue on Economic Growth of Nigeria

The study was conducted to comparatively analyse the effects of direct and indirect taxation revenue on economic growth of Nigeria. This was necessitated by the revenue shortfall from Crude oil sales which has been the main revenue earner of the government and the latent potentials of taxation as the most reliable source of revenue. The study was designed to find out which of the tax category affect economic growth most in Nigeria. Ex post facto research design was the research design involving secondary data extracted from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) published reports. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statically techniques using correlational and regressional statistics. Results reveal that direct taxation has more negative effect on the economy than indirect taxation as evidenced by the adjusted R2 (Direct taxes 80%; Indirect taxes 67%, case wise predictive residuals (maximum values: direct taxes 6.123, indirect taxes 5.893). It was therefore recommended that the government should review regulatory and operational guidelines at the oil and gas sector and tax reforms in the form of reliefs and other incentives to companies to encourage investors and boost productive activities to enhance economic growth of the country.

The impacts of income inequality on the gross domestic product under direct taxation: evidence from emerging market economies

PurposeThis study analyzes the impacts of income inequality after direct taxation on the gross domestic product as a fiscal policy tool in the development process.Design/methodology/approachThe model of the study is based on Munielo-Gallo and Roca-Sagales (2013), which examined the fiscal policy, income inequality and economic growth simultaneously. The study uses two models to analyze the relationship between income inequality and gross domestic production under direct taxation by employing autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model for selected emerging market economies.FindingEmpirical results reveal a negative long-run relationship between variables in some countries in line with the literature, despite a positive relationship in others. Moreover, the results exhibit the negative impact of income inequality after direct taxation on the gross domestic product decreases.Originality/valueResults of the study highlight the importance of direct taxation on income inequality concerning the reflects on economic growth. It suggests that when the income distribution is fairer, it may positively affect the gross domestic product. The study provides a new perspective to the related literature by investigating the role of income inequality under direct taxation for gross domestic product.

On the Spillover Effects of CO2 Taxation on the Emissions of other Air Pollutants

In this paper, we compare and contrast the environmental, macroeconomic and distributive effects of CO2 taxation with the effects of taxing a variety of air pollutants at their external costs. We do so using a multi-sector and multi-household dynamic computable general equilibrium model of the Portuguese economy. We find that a carbon tax of 114 euros per ton of CO2 is necessary to achieve the IPCC 2030 targets. It does so, however, at a high macroeconomic and distributional cost. In turn, the macroeconomic and distributional effects of taxing different pollutants at their external costs in line both qualitatively and quantitatively with the effects of the CO2 taxation. In absolute terms, however, better environmental results in terms of GHG and air pollutants emissions are achieved through the level of CO2 taxation necessary to achieve the IPCC targets than through direct taxation of such emissions at their external costs. Ultimately, the benefits of complementing the CO2 taxation with the taxation of other air pollutants at their external costs does not seem significant from either efficiency, fairness, or environmental perspectives to justify the practical complexity of considering it.

International Tax Implications of Cloud Computing

This chapter explores the international tax implications of cloud computing. Current tax laws are based heavily on concepts of physical geography, such as controlling premises and physical equipment or employing staff in the jurisdiction. The geographical concepts do not accommodate the cloud business model in any sensible way. As a consequence, the taxation of cloud providers is particularly complex and uncertain. The chapter then explains the basic rules for direct taxation of cross-border profits, which apply no matter what technology (or lack of technology) is involved. It then discusses the complex exceptions to those rules which have been developed in respect of intangible products and services, in particular relating to intellectual property, and to cross-border income from the use of computing equipment, and it examines how they might impact cloud providers. The chapter also considers the current rules which determine taxation nexus, as well as indirect taxation, particularly Value Added Tax (VAT). Finally, it looks at how the OECD and the UN are attempting to deal with the major problems with the current system.