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São Tomé and Príncipe: Domestic Tax System and Tax Revenue Potential
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Author/Editor: |
Farhan, Nisreen H. |
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September 1, 2009 |
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Electronic Access: |
Free Full Text (PDF file size is 1,094KB)
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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.
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Summary: São Tomé and Príncipe is very open and highly depends on imports resulting in high indirect tax revenue. At the same time, the production and export base are very narrow, leaving the authorities with a small domestic tax base. For these reasons, the country compares unfavorably with neighboring economies and other island countries, in terms of domestic revenue in percent of GDP. The paper describes the domestic tax system in São Tomé and Príncipe and uses cross-country empirical analysis to reach a benchmark tax potential for the country. The paper reaches the conclusion that whether São Tomé and Príncipe becomes an oil producer or not, it is more sustainable for it to rely on non-oil domestic revenue-a less volatile and less exhaustible resource-to finance current expenditures. To meet the country's increasing development and social objectives, the authorities need to mobilize sufficient domestic resources. The paper offers a number of fiscal reforms to reach this goal, including implementation of the new tax laws, reduction of exemptions, tax system reforms, and improvement of the tax administration.
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Series: |
Working Paper No. 09/215 |
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Subject(s): |
Cross country analysis | Fiscal policy | Fiscal reforms | São Tomé and Príncipe | Sub-Saharan Africa | Tax administration | Tax policy | Tax reforms | Tax revenues | Tax systems | Taxation |
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Author's keyword(s): |
São Tomé and Príncipe; Tax revenue Potential; Optimal Taxation; Tax Reforms. |
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Published: |
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September 1, 2009 |
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Format: |
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Paper |
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Stock No: |
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WPIEA2009215 |
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Pages: |
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40 |
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Price: |
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US$18.00 (Academic Rate: US$18.00 )
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