This paper reviews the main macroeconomic trends and the debate on policy priorities in Italy since the advent of EMU. It argues that, in the decade up to the outbreak of the global crisis (1998-2007), in Italy the reform process came to a virtual standstill and fiscal policy was inconsistent...

This paper analyzes the evolution and structure of taxation in the Mercosur countries. Specifically, it covers taxes on goods and services, including general excise taxes and excises taxes, and income taxes, both corporate and personal. It also discusses the role of the tax administration and...

This paper reviews the main macroeconomic trends and the debate on policy priorities in Italy since the end of the Nineties. In the decade up to the outbreak of the global crisis (1998-2007), in Italy the reform process came to a virtual standstill; this is partly due to the fragmentation of the...

This document discusses the effect of tax incentives on business activities and investment decisions. When taxation is not sound it hurts the business climate and hampers economic activities. Since the primary intent of tax incentives is to encourage capital accumulation in specific activities...

This study summarizes the assessment of the impact of fiscal policies on equity in the Andean countries. It evaluates the outcome of the main taxes and social public expenditures on income distribution applying a homogeneous methodology. The full effect of taxes is slightly regressive due to a...

After a long process that began in October 1998, on July 12, 2004 the Andean Community (CAN) approved Decisions 599 and 600 on, respectively, the harmonization of value added tax (VAT) and excise type taxes (ET). The only precedent for the agreement on tax harmonization in the CAN is the...

The approval of Decisions 599 and 600 on the Harmonization of Substantial and Procedural Aspects of Value Added Taxes and the Harmonization of Excise Type Taxes (VAT and selective taxes) by the Commission of the Andean Community is a notable victory for the Andean integration process and sets a...

Para lograr un adecuado equilibrio social y consolidar el funcionamiento del sistema democrático, los países han de contar con sistemas fiscales equitativos que favorezcan el desarrollo económico, que tengan capacidad recaudatoria para financiar un nivel adecuado de gasto público y con...

The volume collects the essays presented at the 15th Workshop on Public Finance organised by Banca d'Italia in Perugia from 4 to 6 April 2013. The workshop focused on the link between fiscal policy and macroeconomic imbalances and comprised four sessions. The first session concentrated on the...