IMF Policy Discussion Papers

Tax Administration and the Small Taxpayer

Author/Editor:

Parthasarathi Shome

Publication Date:

May 1, 2004

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Summary:

Small taxpayers should pay their appropriate revenue share while their compliance costs should be reduced. This assumes importance as restructuring in emerging markets has meant rapid growth in services through self-employed small entrepreneurs, who have good revenue potential. Administrative facilitators such as a single tax covering income tax, VAT, and social security tax, at a reduced rate, do not lower tax evasion. They increase vertical and horizontal inequity, and lead to adverse resource allocation. A strategy is needed, extending modernization achieved in large taxpayer units (LTUs) to small taxpayers, including rationalization of collection and reporting of revenue data for policy formulation.

Series:

Policy Discussion Paper No. 2004/002

Subject:

Economic sectors Income tax systems Revenue administration Small and medium enterprises Social security contributions Tax administration core functions Taxes Value-added tax