Inequality, democracy and taxation:lessons from the post-Communist transition

Using data for the period 1989 – 2002, we examine the determinants of income inequality in post-communist economies. We find a strong positive association between equality and tax collection but note that this relationship is significantly stronger under authoritarian regimes than under democracies. We also discover that countries introducing sustainable democratic institutions early are characterised by lower inequality. We also confirm that education fosters equality and find that larger countries are prone to higher levels of inequality.

Taxation of intellectual property: the new regime for companies

Central aspects of new regime for taxation of intangible assets introduced by FA 2002 which seeks to align tax treatment with accounting treatment of intellectual property

Corporate taxation, corporate power, and corporate harm

Globalisation has increased corporate tax competition amongst states and facilitated widespread corporate tax avoidance. Some of the largest businesses now pay little or no tax: in some cases with the active assistance of governments. This article examines contemporary corporation tax policies, outlines some of the key methods corporations use to minimise their tax liabilities, explores the interdependencies between the demand for reduced tax liabilities and the professional infrastructure of tax planning and avoidance, and examines how the contemporary political economy of corporate taxation enhances the bargaining power of transnational corporations in the implementation of tax policy.

Essentials of Jamaican taxation

This fourth edition of Essentials of Jamaican Taxation as with earlier editions covers the material for an undergraduate course in Jamaican taxation and deals with the theory of taxation and its application through the main provisions of the Income Tax Act, the various Acts governing payroll taxes, the General Consumption Tax Act and the Contractors Levy Act. This edition covers changes which took place after 2007 including the main provisions in the 2012 budget. The text is designed to give mainly students of accounting a working knowledge of taxation as it is administered in Jamaica so they are equipped to perform computations of tax payable by businesses/employers, employees, self-employed, and persons with income from sources other than employment. Most of the text should be understood quite readily by readers other than students who wish to be informed on taxation matters.