Canada has operated both a federal value–added tax (the GST) and two variants of provincial VATs for the last 15 years. In addition, several provinces have continued to operate retail sales taxes similar to those in most US states. A brief review of experience around the world with...

Discusses several aspects of fiscal decentralization. Defines the meaning and rationale of fiscal decentralization and reviews the issue of the choice of local revenue sources from the perspective of establishing efficient local governments, including the roles of user charges, property taxes,...

We review the changing nature of tax policy in developing countries over the last 30 years and consider what factors determining the level and structure of tax revenues in such countries may have changed recently and how such changes may affect future developments.

Over a decade ago, several Canadian provinces replaced their retail sales taxes with value-added taxes. This paper estimates the effects of this tax substitution on business investment in these provinces. Consistent with standard investment theory, we find that the reform led to significant...

Tax systems in developing countries, like those in more developed countries, face both new challenges and new possibilities as a result of technological change. In developing countries, taxpayers and tax administrations must cope with more difficult environments with fewer resources. Some issues...