Tax Reform in Uganda

Tax Reform in Uganda PDF Author: Dorothy Kwagala-Igaga
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443857254
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 270

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Book Description
In 1997, Uganda undertook extensive reforms in tax legislation. This had been preceded by the structural reforms in tax administration that saw the creation of the Uganda Revenue Authority in 1991. The aim of the far reaching reforms was to improve the tax system and increase its revenue productivity. This book demonstrates that the reforms were not as successful as anticipated and revenues have not improved in a sustained way. The revenue from direct taxes only contributes about 20% to the total revenue, well below the Sub-Saharan average of 40%. This has focused attention on the appropriateness of the reforms. The focus of the reforms on achieving efficiency did not sufficiently take into account the fundamental importance of equity within the system. As a result, the Income Tax Act 1997 embodies distortions and inequalities in the treatment of taxable income and taxpayers that have led to inefficiency in the system as a whole. The tax reforms also took a narrow technical view of the tax system. The book employs political economy and optimal theory to explain the weaknesses in the tax system. It is argued that the reforms, although well designed, were not likely to be successful given the timing and context of implementation. The multidisciplinary and functionalist approach of the book is helpful in highlighting the constraints in which tax design and tax reform is undertaken in Uganda. It is argued that the reforms we “blunted” by the manner of their formulation and context of implementation. Taxation is a socio-political issue and yet the IMF and World Bank which supported the reforms did not take into account the limited political will. The lack of consensus in policy formulation has weakened the socio-contract and allowed the government to blame external factors for the poor performance. The weaknesses in governance and corruption have had an impact on the tax system by encouraging tax avoidance and evasion among political elites as well as on activities in the informal sector.

Tax Reform in Uganda

Tax Reform in Uganda PDF Author: Dorothy Kwagala-Igaga
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1443857254
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 270

Get Book

Book Description
In 1997, Uganda undertook extensive reforms in tax legislation. This had been preceded by the structural reforms in tax administration that saw the creation of the Uganda Revenue Authority in 1991. The aim of the far reaching reforms was to improve the tax system and increase its revenue productivity. This book demonstrates that the reforms were not as successful as anticipated and revenues have not improved in a sustained way. The revenue from direct taxes only contributes about 20% to the total revenue, well below the Sub-Saharan average of 40%. This has focused attention on the appropriateness of the reforms. The focus of the reforms on achieving efficiency did not sufficiently take into account the fundamental importance of equity within the system. As a result, the Income Tax Act 1997 embodies distortions and inequalities in the treatment of taxable income and taxpayers that have led to inefficiency in the system as a whole. The tax reforms also took a narrow technical view of the tax system. The book employs political economy and optimal theory to explain the weaknesses in the tax system. It is argued that the reforms, although well designed, were not likely to be successful given the timing and context of implementation. The multidisciplinary and functionalist approach of the book is helpful in highlighting the constraints in which tax design and tax reform is undertaken in Uganda. It is argued that the reforms we “blunted” by the manner of their formulation and context of implementation. Taxation is a socio-political issue and yet the IMF and World Bank which supported the reforms did not take into account the limited political will. The lack of consensus in policy formulation has weakened the socio-contract and allowed the government to blame external factors for the poor performance. The weaknesses in governance and corruption have had an impact on the tax system by encouraging tax avoidance and evasion among political elites as well as on activities in the informal sector.

Tax Reforms and Domestic Revenue Mobilisation in Uganda

Tax Reforms and Domestic Revenue Mobilisation in Uganda PDF Author: Milton Ayoki
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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Book Description


A Quest for Revenue and Tax Incidence in Uganda

A Quest for Revenue and Tax Incidence in Uganda PDF Author: Duanjie Chen
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Fiscal policy
Languages : en
Pages : 46

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Book Description


Shifting Tax Burdens Through Exemptions and Evasion

Shifting Tax Burdens Through Exemptions and Evasion PDF Author: Bernard P. Gauthier
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN:
Category : Business enterprises
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
Tax burdens vary for firms of different sizes due to their variable tendency to seek exemptions or evade taxes.

Taxpayer Response to Greater Progressivity

Taxpayer Response to Greater Progressivity PDF Author: Maria Jouste
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789292673741
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
We evaluate a major personal income tax reform in Uganda that came into effect in 2012-13, contributing to the scarce literature on the effects of personal income tax reform on employees' income in a low-income country in Africa. The reform increased the tax-free lower threshold, increased tax rates for higher incomes, and introduced an additional highest tax band for top 1% of income earners. Using the universe of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) administrative data from the Uganda Tax Authority, we analyse the impact of the reform on reported labour incomes. In the preferred specification, we find very limited support for behavioural reactions. However,heterogeneity analysis reveals that top-income workers in firms handled by ordinary (as opposed to medium or large taxpayer) offices report lower incomes after the reform. We also find suggestive evidence that part of the response may arise from income shifting. The reform managed to raise more revenue and it also led to a limited reduction in after-tax income inequality.

How Responsive is Tax Revenue to Growth in Uganda

How Responsive is Tax Revenue to Growth in Uganda PDF Author: Fred Kakongoro Muhumuza
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Revenue
Languages : en
Pages : 60

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Book Description


Corruption in Tax Administration

Corruption in Tax Administration PDF Author: Odd-Helge Fjeldstad
Publisher:
ISBN: 9788280621238
Category : Corruption
Languages : en
Pages : 23

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Book Description


Case Studies in Tax Revenue Mobilization in Low-Income Countries

Case Studies in Tax Revenue Mobilization in Low-Income Countries PDF Author: Mr.Bernardin Akitoby
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1498314562
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Book Description
How can Low-Income Countries (LICs) enhance tax revenue collection to finance their vast development needs? We address this question by analyzing seven tax reform experiences in LICs (Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Maldives, Mauritania, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda). Three lessons stand out, although reforms must be tailored to individual circumstances: (i) Tax reforms require first and foremost political commitment and buy-in from key stakeholders; (ii) Countries that pursue both revenue administration and tax policy reforms tend to see much larger and persistent gains; and (iii) A successful strategy often starts with fiscal reform measures with immediate effect to build momentum. These can include: simplifying the tax system; curbing exemptions; reforming indirect taxes on goods and services (e.g., excises); and better managing compliance risks through strengthening taxpayer segmentation (often beginning with strengthening the Large Taxpayers Office). A comprehensive reform strategy (e.g., a medium-term revenue strategy) can help to properly sequence reform measures and facilitate their implementation.

Shifting Tax Burdens Through Exemptions and Evasion

Shifting Tax Burdens Through Exemptions and Evasion PDF Author: Bernard Gauthier
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This paper investigates the impacts of tax reforms implemented in Uganda in the mid-1990s on the prevalence of tax evasion and exemptions among firms, and their effects on the distribution and dispersion of tax burdens. Based on firm-level data collected from 243 firms, we observe that evasion and exemptions were widespread and that their prevalence actually increased during tax reforms. We use three-stage least squares to simultaneously estimate tax burdens, evasion and exemption patterns in 1995 and 1997. We find that tax exemptions benefit large businesses to a disproportionate degree, while evasion is more common among small businesses. This creates a situation in which medium-sized firms shoulder a disproportionate tax burden.

Taxing Africa

Taxing Africa PDF Author: Mick Moore
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1783604557
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 289

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Book Description
Taxation has been seen as the domain of charisma-free accountants, lawyers and number crunchers – an unlikely place to encounter big societal questions about democracy, equity or good governance. Yet it is exactly these issues that pervade conversations about taxation among policymakers, tax collectors, civil society activists, journalists and foreign aid donors in Africa today. Tax has become viewed as central to African development. Written by leading international experts, Taxing Africa offers a cutting-edge analysis on all aspects of the continent's tax regime, displaying the crucial role such arrangements have on attempts to create social justice and push economic advancement. From tax evasion by multinational corporations and African elites to how ordinary people navigate complex webs of 'informal' local taxation, the book examines the potential for reform, and how space might be created for enabling locally-led strategies.