Tax Revenue Downturns: Anatomy and Links to Imports

Author/Editor:

Kun Li ; Pablo Lopez Murphy

Publication Date:

June 1, 2010

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 study historical tax revenue downturn episodes—where tax revenue-to-GDP ratios decline sharply—and explore the link between tax revenues and imports. We document that downturn episodes of at least 1 percentage point of GDP in one year are common. The tax types that account for these episodes are different in advanced, emerging and developing, and oil producing countries. We find that tax revenue downturns and import contractions have a statistically significant link. Finally, we show that changes in imports are a statistically significant determinant of changes in tax revenues even when controlling for changes in the output gap and in the terms of trade.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2010/138

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

June 1, 2010

ISBN/ISSN:

9781455201211/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2010138

Pages:

23

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