The effects of excise tax changes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco consumption in Thailand

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the factors affecting the likelihood of consumption and the amount spent on alcoholic beverages and tobacco in Thailand using the 2009 Socio-Economic Survey of Thailand. Results suggest that household size, tenure and occupation have significant impacts on both the probability of alcohol and tobacco consumption and spending levels. Income also plays a key role in explaining the amount spent on alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Demand elasticities are calculated under the Extended Linear Expenditure System (ELES). Demand for alcoholic beverages and tobacco is found to be inelastic. The effects of increasing taxation on alcohol and tobacco consumption in Thailand are estimated. The findings are that excise taxes in Thailand are efficient taxes with only a modest rise in deadweight loss. Taxes result in a small decrease in consumption but generate higher expenditure and government tax revenue. Excise tax on alcoholic beverages results in a net benefit to the Thai economy. Tobacco taxes increase total expenditure and government revenue as well as increasing net benefit to the Thai economy. However, the low elasticities of demand also mean that excise taxes have only a small impact on reducing the costs associated with drinking and smoking.

The Proposed Financial Transaction Tax – Extraterritorial Effect, Tax Evasion and Other Legal Problems Facing the Proposal

The main topic of this master’s thesis is the proposed EU directive on a financial transaction tax. Ten Member States which want to enact the directive by using enhanced cooperation are currently negotiating the contents of the proposal. This tax would be levied on specific products which are traded on the financial markets. As an example the transaction of stocks would be taxed at a percentage of 0.1 percent, and the transaction of derivatives at a percentage of 0.01 percent. The proposed financial transaction tax would enter into force in said ten countries but it would still have effects on those countries, which are not planning on participating in this taxation system. This is one of the main reasons why this tax has faced a lot of opposition in several European Union countries. The main legal problems the tax is predicted to have are tax evasion, double taxation, and extraterritorial effect. The Commission has stated that it is aiming to reach certain objectives with the financial transaction tax. These objectives are for example to stabilise the financial markets following the financial crisis, and to deter tax evasion. Commission has defended the planning of the financial transaction tax by stating that the tax is likely to reach its objectives. The planning of the financial transaction tax began already in 2011 when the Commission published the first draft of the proposal. Following this the proposal was last amended in 2013, but the participating Member States are currently still negotiating the contents of the proposal. The participating Member States published a statement in December 2015 in which they promised that there will be a decision made about the financial transaction tax by the end of June 2016.

CIL 6.40890/ IG 14.951 – Bronze tablet with a bilingual ‘senatus consultum’ granting a tax exemption and other privileges to Asklepiades of Klazomenai and other Greek naval captains

Photographs

Social security and railroad retirement enactments in the 97th Congress within jurisdiction of the Committee on Ways and Means : Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 /

At head of title: 97th Congress, 1st session. Committee print. WMCP: 97-15.

Identification and expression analysis of two Wnt4 genes in the spotted scat ( Scatophagus argus )

Background: WNT4 is a protein that plays a crucial role in ovarian differentiation and development in mammals, with a relatively well understood function in mammalian gonadal differentiation. The role of Wnt4 in teleost fish; however, remains unclear. In the present study, cDNAs of Wnt4a and Wnt4b were cloned and characterized in the spotted scat. The expression patterns of two Wnt4 genes in the gonads at different stages of development and in fish after treatment with 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) were investigated. Results: The tissue distribution showed that Wnt4a was expressed in various tissues, including the gonads, gills, spleen, brain, and fin. Interestingly, Wnt4b not only was expressed in the gills, brain, and spleen, but also was obviously expressed in the ovary. During gonad development, Wnt4a was highly expressed in the testis at stage I and Wnt4b was mainly expressed in the ovary at stages II–III. After MT treatment, the mRNA expression of Wnt4a increased significantly up to 40 d, and the transcript level of Wnt4b decreased at 20 d. Conclusions: These results suggest that Wnt4a may be involved in gonad development and plays a role in the process of spermatogonial proliferation. Our results also demonstrate that Wnt4b is not only expressed in the nervous system, but also in the ovary and it may be involved in ovary development of the spotted scat.

R&D&I Tax Incentives in the European Union and State Aid Rules

Although tax incentives are an effective tool for promoting R&D&I, depending on their design they may qualify as State aid (article 107(1) of the TFEU) unless exempted by the Commission (article 107(3)). This article discusses the role of State aid rules in respect of R&D&I incentives and the need to ensure R&D&I promotion policies in Europe are on equal footing with the rest of the world, thus ensuring a level playing field for European undertakings in global markets.

Health spending, illicit financial flows and tax incentives in Malawi

This analysis examines the gaps in health care financing in Malawi and how foregone taxes could fill these gaps. It begins with an assessment of the disease burden and government health expenditure. Then it analyses the tax revenues foregone by the government of Malawi by two main routes • Illicit financial flows (IFF) from the country • Tax incentives. We find that there are significant financing gaps in the health sector; for example, government expenditure is United States Dollars (USD) 177 million for 2013/2014 while projected donor contribution in 2013/2014 is USD 207 million and the total cost for the minimal health package is USD 535 million. Thus the funding gap between the government budget for health and the required spending to provide the minimal package for 2013/2014 is USD 358 million. On the other hand we estimate that almost USD 400million is lost through IFF and corporate utilization of tax incentives each year. The revenues foregone plus the current government health spending would be sufficient to cover the minimal public health package for all Malawians and would help tackle Malawi’s disease burden. Every effort must be made, including improving transparency and revising laws, to curtail IFF and moderate tax incentives.

The introduction of a financial transaction tax in Italy

Mestrado em Finanças

The responsiveness of government revenue to marginal tax rates

Ce document utilise des données fiscales et démographiques pour calculer les changements dans les recettes du gouvernement engendrés par les ajustements dans le taux marginal d'imposition, et cela en mettant l’accent sur la fourchette d'imposition la plus élevée. La portée de l’étude est une sélection de pays de l’O.C.D.E. Une analyse des changement de comportement des contribuables et des différentes alternatives dont le gouvernement dispose en termes de politique fiscale en suivaient. En fin, les possibles faiblesses dans des techniques de référence sont examinées en détail. 

Understanding the Impact of the Property Tax Appeal Process on Assessment Uniformity: Procedures, Structures, and Outcomes

Property taxes serve as a vital revenue source for local governments. The revenues derived from the property tax function as the primary funding source for a variety of critical local public service systems. Property tax appeal systems serve as quasi-administrative-judicial mechanisms intended to assure the public that property tax assessments are correct, fair, and equitable. Despite these important functions, there is a paucity of empirical research related to property tax appeal systems. This study contributes to property tax literature by identifying who participates in the property tax appeal process and examining their motivations for participation. In addition, the study sought to determine whether patterns of use and success in appeal systems affected the distribution of the tax burden. Data were collected by means of a survey distributed to single-family property owners from two Florida counties. In addition, state and county documents were analyzed to determine appeal patterns and examine the impact on assessment uniformity, over a three-year period. The survey data provided contextual evidence that single-family property owners are not as troubled by property taxes as they are by the conduct of local government officials. The analyses of the decision to appeal indicated that more expensive properties and properties excluded from initial uniformity analyses were more likely to be appealed, while properties with homestead exemptions were less likely to be appealed. The value change analyses indicated that appeals are clustered in certain geographical areas; however, these areas do not always experience a greater percentage of the value changes. Interestingly, professional representation did not increase the probability of obtaining a reduction in value. Other relationships between the variables were discovered, but often with weak predictive ability. Findings from the assessment uniformity analyses were also interesting. The results indicated that the appeals mechanisms in both counties improved assessment uniformity. On average, appealed properties exhibited greater horizontal and vertical inequities, as compared to non-appealed properties, prior to the appeals process. After, the appeal process was completed; the indicators of horizontal and vertical equity were largely improved. However, there were some indications of regressivity in the final year of the study.

The responsiveness of government revenue to marginal tax rates

Ce document utilise des données fiscales et démographiques pour calculer les changements dans les recettes du gouvernement engendrés par les ajustements dans le taux marginal d'imposition, et cela en mettant l’accent sur la fourchette d'imposition la plus élevée. La portée de l’étude est une sélection de pays de l’O.C.D.E. Une analyse des changement de comportement des contribuables et des différentes alternatives dont le gouvernement dispose en termes de politique fiscale en suivaient. En fin, les possibles faiblesses dans des techniques de référence sont examinées en détail. 

Iowa Finance Authority Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program 2007 Qualified Allocation Plan, April 3, 2008

As the Housing Credit Agency responsible for allocating Tax Credits in the State of Iowa, IFA must adopt a written Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The purpose of the QAP is to set forth the criteria that IFA will use in evaluating and monitoring Projects submitted to it by the Developer/Ownership Entity for consideration in making an allocation of Tax Credits. The Governor must approve the QAP after the public has had the opportunity to comment through a public hearing.