Using Strategic Communications to Engage Stakeholders in Tax Reform

Using Strategic Communications to Engage Stakeholders in Tax Reform

Strategic communications is used to build support and local ownership for reform initiatives while diffusing stakeholder opposition. It addresses the critical 'people' side of the reform process by fostering dialogue between stakeholders,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author:	Rahman, Shaela
Format:	Brief
Language:	English
Published:	World Bank, Washington, DC 2012
Subjects:	ADDED TAX ADVERTISEMENTS ADVERTISING BEST PRACTICE BEST PRACTICES BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS BUSINESS TAX CAPACITY BUILDING CELL PHONES CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE COMPETITIVE MARKETS CUSTOMER SERVICE CUSTOMER SERVICES CUSTOMS ECONOMIC GROWTH FINANCE CORPORATION FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT GENERAL PUBLIC GROUP INVESTMENT HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION STAGE INCOME INCOME TAX INCOME TAXES INSTRUMENT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCE INVESTMENT CLIMATE INVESTMENT CLIMATE REFORM JOB CREATION LEGAL FRAMEWORKS MEDIA RELATIONS MULTIMEDIA PRIVATE SECTOR PUBLIC INFORMATION PUBLIC RELATIONS RADIO RADIO STATIONS REFORM PROGRAM RESOURCE MOBILIZATION RESULT RESULTS SALES TAX SERVICE CAPACITY SMALL BUSINESS SMALL BUSINESSES SUSTAINABLE REFORM TAX TAX ADMINISTRATION TAX CONSULTANTS TAX POLICY TAX RATE TAX RATES TAX REFORM TAX REGIME TAX RETURN TAX RETURNS TAX SIMPLIFICATION TAX SYSTEM TAX SYSTEMS TAXATION TAXPAYERS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TECHNICAL EXPERTS TELEVISION TRACK RECORD TRANSPARENCY USES
Online Access:	http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2010/12/13837530/using-strategic-communications-engage-stakeholders-tax-reform http://hdl.handle.net/10986/10460

Description
Summary:	Strategic communications is used to build support and local ownership for reform initiatives while diffusing stakeholder opposition. It addresses the critical 'people' side of the reform process by fostering dialogue between stakeholders, changing perceptions, and strengthening the capacity of government to assist taxpayers. This note outlines an approach tested in tax reform projects in the Republic of Yemen and Sierra Leone, where strategic communications has been used to identify, and then systematically inform and engage relevant stakeholders a process that has proved essential to reform implementation and acceptance. This note also highlights the experience of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, where a multimedia informational campaign preceded the introduction of the value-added tax (VAT), influencing public opinion and paving the way for the reform.