Working Paper
Modelling value-added tax (VAT) in South Africa
Using SAMOD, a tax-benefit microsimulation model for South Africa, this paper examines the joint distributional impact of the increase in the value-added tax (VAT) rate and increases in benefit amounts in 2018. Although poverty and inequality did not...
Working Paper
Assessing the distributional impact of lowering the value-added tax rate for standard-rated items in Tanzania and options for recouping revenue losses
This paper explores the distributional impact of lowering the value-added tax rate for standard-rated items in Tanzania Mainland. Using a static tax-benefit microsimulation model—TAZMOD—which is underpinned by data derived from the Household Budget...
Technical Note
Integration of indirect taxation to GHAMOD
This note, with emphasis on VAT and excise taxes, illustrates how indirect taxes are modelled in the context of GHAMOD, a tax-benefit microsimulation model for Ghana. GHAMOD is similar to the EUROMOD base platform, and its built-in Statistics...
Research Brief
Balancing tax collection and equality
In a democratic system, taxation is a critical part of the social contract between the state and its citizens. The tax system can be used to help address the unacceptably high levels of poverty, inequality, and unemployment in South Africa. An...
Working Paper
Estimating tax gaps in Zambia
Assessing tax gaps—the difference between the potential and actual taxes raised—plays a vital role in achieving positive domestic revenue objectives through improved and reformed taxation. This is particularly pertinent for growth outcomes in...
Working Paper
Assessing the impact of an intervention to withhold value-added tax in Zambia
Improving tax collection is essential if developing economies are to avoid over-reliance on external donor funds and loans. Revenue authorities in the Global South have recently adopted new policy tools to improve domestic revenue mobilization...
Presentation
UNU-WIDER research presented at ZEW conference
In May, UNU-WIDER researcher Kwabena Adu-Ababio presents at the 2024 ZEW Public Finance Conference in Mannheim, Germany.
Thu, 16 May 2024
–
Fri, 17 May 2024
ZEW – Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research,
L7 1,
Mannheim,
Finland
Past event
Working Paper
Wait no more: how the administration of VAT refunds impacts firm behaviour
Refunds are an essential feature of well-functioning VAT systems and take up a sizeable portion of government spending. In South Africa, refunds amount to 50 percent of gross VAT collection, representing a substantial transfer from the government to...