Technical Notes and Manuals

Is the WTO a World Tax Organization?: A Primer for WTO Rules for Policy Makers

By Michael Daly

March 29, 2016

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Format: Chicago

Michael Daly. Is the WTO a World Tax Organization?: A Primer for WTO Rules for Policy Makers, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2016) accessed November 8, 2024

Disclaimer: This Technical Guidance Note should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF. The views expressed in this Note are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

This paper examines the extent to which World Trade Organization (WTO) rules impinge on policymakers’ freedom to formulate tax policies. It provides an overview of both the economic rationale for WTO rules concerning taxation and the provisions of the main WTO agreements concerning border taxes and internal taxes (direct as well as indirect). It also points out some tax anomalies and inconsistencies in these rules, and how the rules have evolved as a consequence of the interpretation of the WTO agreements by its Dispute Settlement Body and the latter’s rulings in connection with several disputes over taxes affecting trade. As WTO Members will undoubtedly want to avoid having their tax policies successfully challenged in the WTO, the paper provides some guidance concerning the design of tax policy.

Subject: Consumption taxes, Exports, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, Income and capital gains taxes, International trade, Tariffs, Taxes

Keywords: Article III, Consumption taxes, Double taxation, Export tax, Exports, General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, Global, Import tariff, Income and capital gains taxes, Sales tax, Tariffs, Tax, Tax incentive, Tax measure, Tax rate, Tax relief, TNM, Trade, Trade diversion, WTO agreement, WTO rule

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    54

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Technical Notes and Manuals No. 2016/003

  • Stock No:

    TNMEA2016003

  • ISBN:

    9781498329798

  • ISSN:

    2075-8669

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