Tax Coordination, Tax Competition, and Revenue Mobilization in the West African Economic and Monetary Union

Author/Editor:

Mario Mansour ; Gregoire Rota Graziosi

Publication Date:

July 9, 2013

Electronic Access:

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

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

We review the current state of the West African Economic and Monetary Union’s tax coordination framework, against the main objectives of the WAEMU Treaty of 1994: reduce distortions to intra-community trade, and mobilize domestic tax revenue. The process of tax coordination in WAEMU is one of the most advanced in the world—de jure at least—, but remains in many areas ineffective de facto. Nevertheless, the framework has, to some extent, succeeded in converging tax systems, particularly statutory tax rates, and may have contributed to improving revenue mobilisation. Important lessons can be drawn from the WAEMU experience, particularly in terms of whether coordination should take the form of harmonization through a top-down approach, or a softer approach of sharing best practice and limiting certain types of tax competition.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2013/163

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

July 9, 2013

ISBN/ISSN:

9781484354216/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2013163

Pages:

41

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org