The aims of this paper are first, to review the background to the harmonization of VAT rates within the European Union and second, to model the financial impact of the risks surrounding structural changes in VAT rates. The underlying sales upon which VAT is based is modelled by a geometric...

A simulated study is conducted of the relative tax incentives to capital investment in Europe. For 1994 required pre-tax rates of return vary from 8.5% for plant and machinery investments in Spain to l3.8% for commercial property in Ireland. Within investment categories, however, the spreads...