Tax Effort and Tax Potential in Timor-Leste


Book Description

New empirical analysis shows that fiscal policy in Timor-Leste has been unable to stabilize macroeconomic fluctuations over the last couple of decades. Timor-Leste collects relatively little non-oil tax revenue and the large public expenditure envelope relies heavily on withdrawals from the Petroleum Fund. Characterized by low tax collection and low tax effort, Timor-Leste’s tax system simultaneously displays long-run buoyancy of greater than one—suggestive that growth has improved fiscal sustainability over time. This study concludes that tax policy reforms are important to support domestic resource mobilization efforts. The introduction of a modern value-added tax (VAT) can complement other tax administration reforms. Finally, greater mobilization of domestic resources should go together with more efficient public spending.




Taxing Wages 2021


Book Description

This annual publication provides details of taxes paid on wages in OECD countries. It covers personal income taxes and social security contributions paid by employees, social security contributions and payroll taxes paid by employers, and cash benefits received by workers. Taxing Wages 2021 includes a special feature entitled: “Impact of COVID-19 on the Tax Wedge in OECD Countries”.







Revenue Mobilization in Developing Countries


Book Description

The Fund has long played a lead role in supporting developing countries’ efforts to improve their revenue mobilization. This paper draws on that experience to review issues and good practice, and to assess prospects in this key area.




Tax Administration Reform in China


Book Description

Tax administration improvements have contributed significantly to a doubling of China’s tax-to-GDP ratio and the substantial reduction in taxpayers’ compliance costs since the mid-1990s. This paper describes the key features of China’s tax administration and their evolution over the last 20 years. It also identifes emerging challenges to the tax system and areas where further tax administration improvements are needed to sustain tax revenue and reduce taxpayers’ compliance costs in the future.




Fiscal Regimes for Extractive Industries—Design and Implementation


Book Description

Better designed and implemented fiscal regimes for oil, gas, and mining can make a substantial contribution to the revenue needs of many developing countries while ensuring an attractive return for investors, according to a new policy paper from the International Monetary Fund. Revenues from extractive industries (EIs) have major macroeconomic implications. The EIs account for over half of government revenues in many petroleum-rich countries, and for over 20 percent in mining countries. About one-third of IMF member countries find (or could find) resource revenues “macro-critical” – especially with large numbers of recent new discoveries and planned oil, gas, and mining developments. IMF policy advice and technical assistance in the field has massively expanded in recent years – driven by demand from member countries and supported by increased donor finance. The paper sets out the analytical framework underpinning, and key elements of, the country-specific advice given. Also available in Arabic: ????? ??????? ?????? ???????? ???????????: ??????? ???????? Also available in French: Régimes fiscaux des industries extractives: conception et application Also available in Spanish: Regímenes fiscales de las industrias extractivas: Diseño y aplicación




IMF Staff papers


Book Description

This paper presents a study to review fluctuations in Japan’s balance of payments and the role of short-term capital flows. Based on annual data, it appears that Japan has passed through two additional cycles after the 1952-55 and 1955-58 cycles covered by Narvekar's studies. In general, the annual data show clearly that the flows of short-term capital have tended to fluctuate in a direction opposite to that of the fluctuations in the basic balance of payments. Thus, the short-term capital inflow increased substantially as the basic surplus fell sharply from 1959 to 1960 and increased further still as the basic balance went into heavy deficit in 1961. Short-term capital flows helped to moderate the fluctuations in Japan's over-all balance of payments, compared with the fluctuations in its basic balance, and thus played an anticyclical role in Japan's balance of payments during 1959–1966. During 1965, the basic balance showed a small deficit in the first quarter, a small surplus in the second quarter, and large surpluses in the third and fourth quarters. This review of monetary policy changes indicates an intimate relationship between changes in Japanese monetary policy and fluctuations in Japan's basic balance of payments during 1959–1966.




Tax Effort and Tax Potential in Timor-Leste


Book Description

This report analyzes tax policy reforms needed in Timor-Leste to boost domestic revenue mobilization and help drive more inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Timor-Leste, one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries, relies heavily on petroleum income to finance its large public expenditure envelope. As a result, the country remains vulnerable to revenue fluctuations which in turn contribute to macroeconomic volatility. This report concludes that a more diversified approach to domestic resource mobilization will reduce such volatility and provide more stability in government finances. To achieve this, it proposes a modern value-added tax is introduced alongside other tax administration reforms, and that these need to be complemented by more efficient public expenditure.




Growing the Non-Oil Economy


Book Description

This report investigates Timor-Leste's potential to develop a vibrant, stable, and diversified economy that is not dependent on oil revenues. Implementing challenging reforms across the private sector, banking and finance, agriculture, infrastructure, and judiciary requires sound policies and effective legislation. The Government of Timor-Leste shows promising reform appetite and willingness to engage the private sector in developing alternate investment options to attract business to the country. Yet, significant challenges remain to ensure that rebuilding efforts and institutions are managed effectively to benefit all Timor-Leste's citizens. This report was produced by the Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, a regional technical assistance facility cofinanced by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Government of Australia, and the New Zealand Government.




Asian Development Outlook 2022


Book Description

Developing Asia faces greater uncertainty from the Russian invasion of Ukraine even as the region continues to contend with COVID-19 outbreaks. The war has sent shockwaves across financial and commodity markets. The highly transmissible Omicron variant has fueled a sharp rise in cases in the region, though its less severe health impact, coupled with increased immunity, has allowed economies to remain relatively open. As such, growth in the region is forecast to remain strong, supported by recovering domestic demand. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, aggressive monetary policy tightening in the US, and renewed COVID-19 outbreaks pose near-term risks to the outlook, alongside medium-term risks such as rising inequality due to school closures. Fiscal resources are needed to aid recovery and support sustainable development. But deficits and debt expanded substantially during the pandemic. Mobilizing taxes and optimizing tax incentives needs to be combined with improved spending efficiency to help developing Asia achieve its development objectives.