Taxes and Growing Pains (original) (raw)

Taxation as an inherent power of the state is an effective tool for development. Taxation may be extractive but it is better than borrowing and aid. Borrowing and aid have been tools of machinations by transnational organizations to interfere and even control politics and economics of recipient countries. Governments need to wean themselves from the easy yet undignified addiction to borrowing and aid. Governments need to be dependent on taxation to finance public service. An efficient and effective tax system is therefore an essential to good governance. Tax collection in turn should promote and support the human and natural capital of a country, which in turn improves tax revenue. This cycle of improved tax collection and wealth stimulating governance will propel any country to true inclusive growth.

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Tax policy for developing countries

2004

Why do we have taxes? The simple answer is that, until someone comes up with a better idea, taxation is the only practical means of raising the revenue to finance government spending on the goods and services that most of us demand. Setting up an efficient and fair tax system is, however, far from simple, particularly for developing countries that want to become integrated in the international economy. The ideal tax system in these countries should raise essential revenue without excessive government borrowing, and should do so without discouraging economic activity and without deviating too much from tax systems in other countries.

Taxation, developmental state capacity and poverty reduction

International Journal of Social Welfare, 2011

This article argues that policy instruments in taxation are likely to be more effective when one views taxation not only in terms of administrative capacity, but also when tax is viewed in wider developmental processes. Much of the literature and policy on taxation explores how to improve taxation in terms of administrative capacity without examining what policies are needed to improve the incentives of taxpayers to comply. The article provides examples of how tax reform can be more usefully employed when linked to explicit production strategies. It also argues that the success of improved tax collection needs to be assessed, not simply in terms of revenue increases, but also how these increases affect distributional outcomes and political stability.

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