Undeclared Economic Activity in Central and Eastern Europe : How Taxes Contribute and How Countries Respond to the Problem

The paper examines the incentives and distortions created by tax policy and administration structures that motivate individuals to undeclare or under-declare work in the new EU member countries. It analyses the tax level and the tax structure "...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Leibfritz, Willi
Format: Policy Research Working Paper
Language:English
Published: 2012
Subjects:
TAX
Online Access:http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20111223221541
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3691
id okr-10986-3691
recordtype oai_dc
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Foreign Institution
institution Digital Repositories
building World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection World Bank
language English
topic ADVANCED COUNTRIES
ADVERSE EFFECT
ADVERSE EFFECTS
ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL
ARREARS
BARRIER
BUSINESS INVESTMENT
BUSINESS TAXES
CAPITAL FORMATION
CAPITAL GAINS
CAPITAL INTENSITY
CAPITAL TAX
CASH ECONOMY
CONSUMPTION TAX
CONSUMPTION TAXES
CORPORATE INCOME TAX
CORPORATE TAXATION
CURRENCY
DEBT
DEDUCTIONS
DISABILITY PENSION
DISPOSABLE INCOME
DIVIDEND
DIVIDEND TAXATION
DIVIDENDS
DOUBLE TAXATION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC CRISIS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
ECONOMIC REFORM
ECONOMIC REFORMS
ECONOMIC TRANSACTIONS
EMPLOYMENT TAX
EMPLOYMENT TAX CREDITS
ENTRY BARRIERS
EXPENDITURES
EXPORT
FINANCIAL ASSETS
FISCAL DEFICITS
FIXED INVESTMENT
FLAT TAX
FLAT TAXES
FOREIGN FIRMS
FORMAL ECONOMIES
FORMAL ECONOMY
FRAUD
GOVERNMENT BUDGET
GOVERNMENT BUDGET DEFICIT
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE
GOVERNMENT FINANCE
GOVERNMENT REVENUES
GOVERNMENT SPENDING
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
IMPLICIT TAX
INCOME GROUPS
INCOME LEVEL
INCOME LEVELS
INCOMES
INFORMAL ECONOMIES
INFORMAL ECONOMY
INSURANCE
INSURANCE PREMIUM
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
INTEREST INCOME
INTERNAL CONTROL
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
INVESTMENT DECISIONS
JOB CREATION
LABOR MARKET
LABOR MARKETS
LOSS OF REVENUE
MACROECONOMIC CONDITIONS
MARGINAL TAX RATES
MARKET COMPETITION
MARKET CONDITIONS
MARKET ECONOMY
MARKET ENTRY
MARKET REFORM
MARKET REGULATIONS
MONETARY FUND
OPTIMAL TAXATION
OUTPUT
PAYROLL TAX
PENSION
PENSION CONTRIBUTION
PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS
PENSION REFORM
PENSION SYSTEM
PERSONAL INCOME
PERSONAL INCOME TAX
PERSONAL INCOME TAXES
POWER PARITIES
PRIVATIZATION
PROPERTY RIGHTS
PROPERTY TAX
PROVISIONS
PUBLIC
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE REVIEW
PUBLIC FINANCE
PUBLIC FINANCE STATISTICS
PUBLIC GOODS
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
PURCHASING POWER
REAL ESTATE
RED TAPE
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
REPLACEMENT RATES
REPUTATION
SALES TAX
SALES TAXES
SAVINGS
SHARE PRICES
SHAREHOLDERS
SKILLED WORKER
SKILLED WORKERS
SMALL ENTERPRISES
SOCIAL PROTECTION
STATUTORY TAX
STATUTORY TAX RATE
STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS
TAX
TAX ADMINISTRATION
TAX AVOIDANCE
TAX BASE
TAX BASES
TAX BURDENS
TAX CODE
TAX COLLECTION
TAX COLLECTORS
TAX COMPETITION
TAX COMPLIANCE
TAX CREDIT
TAX ENFORCEMENT
TAX EVASION
TAX EXEMPTION
TAX INCENTIVE
TAX INCIDENCE
TAX LIABILITY
TAX MEASURES
TAX POLICIES
TAX POLICY
TAX RATE
TAX RATES
TAX REDUCTION
TAX REDUCTIONS
TAX REFORM
TAX REFORMS
TAX REGIME
TAX REGIMES
TAX REVENUE
TAX REVENUES
TAX SHIFTING
TAX STRUCTURE
TAX SYSTEM
TAX SYSTEMS
TAX TREATMENT
TAX WEDGE
TAX WEDGES
TAXABLE INCOME
TAXATION
TAXES ON CONSUMPTION
TAXES ON LABOR INCOME
TAXPAYERS
TRANSITION COUNTRIES
TRANSPARENCY
WITHHOLDING TAX
WORLD DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS
spellingShingle ADVANCED COUNTRIES
ADVERSE EFFECT
ADVERSE EFFECTS
ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL
ARREARS
BARRIER
BUSINESS INVESTMENT
BUSINESS TAXES
CAPITAL FORMATION
CAPITAL GAINS
CAPITAL INTENSITY
CAPITAL TAX
CASH ECONOMY
CONSUMPTION TAX
CONSUMPTION TAXES
CORPORATE INCOME TAX
CORPORATE TAXATION
CURRENCY
DEBT
DEDUCTIONS
DISABILITY PENSION
DISPOSABLE INCOME
DIVIDEND
DIVIDEND TAXATION
DIVIDENDS
DOUBLE TAXATION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMIC CRISIS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE
ECONOMIC REFORM
ECONOMIC REFORMS
ECONOMIC TRANSACTIONS
EMPLOYMENT TAX
EMPLOYMENT TAX CREDITS
ENTRY BARRIERS
EXPENDITURES
EXPORT
FINANCIAL ASSETS
FISCAL DEFICITS
FIXED INVESTMENT
FLAT TAX
FLAT TAXES
FOREIGN FIRMS
FORMAL ECONOMIES
FORMAL ECONOMY
FRAUD
GOVERNMENT BUDGET
GOVERNMENT BUDGET DEFICIT
GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE
GOVERNMENT FINANCE
GOVERNMENT REVENUES
GOVERNMENT SPENDING
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
IMPLICIT TAX
INCOME GROUPS
INCOME LEVEL
INCOME LEVELS
INCOMES
INFORMAL ECONOMIES
INFORMAL ECONOMY
INSURANCE
INSURANCE PREMIUM
INSURANCE PREMIUMS
INTEREST INCOME
INTERNAL CONTROL
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
INVESTMENT DECISIONS
JOB CREATION
LABOR MARKET
LABOR MARKETS
LOSS OF REVENUE
MACROECONOMIC CONDITIONS
MARGINAL TAX RATES
MARKET COMPETITION
MARKET CONDITIONS
MARKET ECONOMY
MARKET ENTRY
MARKET REFORM
MARKET REGULATIONS
MONETARY FUND
OPTIMAL TAXATION
OUTPUT
PAYROLL TAX
PENSION
PENSION CONTRIBUTION
PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS
PENSION REFORM
PENSION SYSTEM
PERSONAL INCOME
PERSONAL INCOME TAX
PERSONAL INCOME TAXES
POWER PARITIES
PRIVATIZATION
PROPERTY RIGHTS
PROPERTY TAX
PROVISIONS
PUBLIC
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE
PUBLIC EXPENDITURE REVIEW
PUBLIC FINANCE
PUBLIC FINANCE STATISTICS
PUBLIC GOODS
PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
PURCHASING POWER
REAL ESTATE
RED TAPE
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
REPLACEMENT RATES
REPUTATION
SALES TAX
SALES TAXES
SAVINGS
SHARE PRICES
SHAREHOLDERS
SKILLED WORKER
SKILLED WORKERS
SMALL ENTERPRISES
SOCIAL PROTECTION
STATUTORY TAX
STATUTORY TAX RATE
STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS
TAX
TAX ADMINISTRATION
TAX AVOIDANCE
TAX BASE
TAX BASES
TAX BURDENS
TAX CODE
TAX COLLECTION
TAX COLLECTORS
TAX COMPETITION
TAX COMPLIANCE
TAX CREDIT
TAX ENFORCEMENT
TAX EVASION
TAX EXEMPTION
TAX INCENTIVE
TAX INCIDENCE
TAX LIABILITY
TAX MEASURES
TAX POLICIES
TAX POLICY
TAX RATE
TAX RATES
TAX REDUCTION
TAX REDUCTIONS
TAX REFORM
TAX REFORMS
TAX REGIME
TAX REGIMES
TAX REVENUE
TAX REVENUES
TAX SHIFTING
TAX STRUCTURE
TAX SYSTEM
TAX SYSTEMS
TAX TREATMENT
TAX WEDGE
TAX WEDGES
TAXABLE INCOME
TAXATION
TAXES ON CONSUMPTION
TAXES ON LABOR INCOME
TAXPAYERS
TRANSITION COUNTRIES
TRANSPARENCY
WITHHOLDING TAX
WORLD DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS
Leibfritz, Willi
Undeclared Economic Activity in Central and Eastern Europe : How Taxes Contribute and How Countries Respond to the Problem
geographic_facet Europe and Central Asia
Europe and Central Asia
relation Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5923
description The paper examines the incentives and distortions created by tax policy and administration structures that motivate individuals to undeclare or under-declare work in the new EU member countries. It analyses the tax level and the tax structure "mix" of tax instruments, the special taxation regimes set up to attract workers and entrepreneurs back into the formal economy and how tax policies such as the introduction of a "flat tax" on income from labor and capital impacted workers and entrepreneurs in terms of formalizing work. It also attempts to gain some insight into the effectiveness of tax administration by comparing some input and output measures As non-tax factors can amplify the adverse effects of taxes on the labor market and reduce the effectiveness of tax reform, some of these other economic framework conditions are also discussed. This paper concludes by refining the main results and possible best practices for tackling undeclared work. The paper argues that the new EU member countries have had mixed success tackling undeclared work. While taxation matters, other underlying conditions for formal sector activity are also important. Addressing the problem of undeclared work therefore requires a broad policy approach with further improvements in tax policies, tax administration, and in general economic framework conditions for formal sector activity.
format Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper
author Leibfritz, Willi
author_facet Leibfritz, Willi
author_sort Leibfritz, Willi
title Undeclared Economic Activity in Central and Eastern Europe : How Taxes Contribute and How Countries Respond to the Problem
title_short Undeclared Economic Activity in Central and Eastern Europe : How Taxes Contribute and How Countries Respond to the Problem
title_full Undeclared Economic Activity in Central and Eastern Europe : How Taxes Contribute and How Countries Respond to the Problem
title_fullStr Undeclared Economic Activity in Central and Eastern Europe : How Taxes Contribute and How Countries Respond to the Problem
title_full_unstemmed Undeclared Economic Activity in Central and Eastern Europe : How Taxes Contribute and How Countries Respond to the Problem
title_sort undeclared economic activity in central and eastern europe : how taxes contribute and how countries respond to the problem
publishDate 2012
url http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20111223221541
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3691
_version_ 1764387835893252096
spelling okr-10986-36912021-04-23T14:02:12Z Undeclared Economic Activity in Central and Eastern Europe : How Taxes Contribute and How Countries Respond to the Problem Leibfritz, Willi ADVANCED COUNTRIES ADVERSE EFFECT ADVERSE EFFECTS ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL ARREARS BARRIER BUSINESS INVESTMENT BUSINESS TAXES CAPITAL FORMATION CAPITAL GAINS CAPITAL INTENSITY CAPITAL TAX CASH ECONOMY CONSUMPTION TAX CONSUMPTION TAXES CORPORATE INCOME TAX CORPORATE TAXATION CURRENCY DEBT DEDUCTIONS DISABILITY PENSION DISPOSABLE INCOME DIVIDEND DIVIDEND TAXATION DIVIDENDS DOUBLE TAXATION ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ECONOMIC CRISIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC GROWTH ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE ECONOMIC REFORM ECONOMIC REFORMS ECONOMIC TRANSACTIONS EMPLOYMENT TAX EMPLOYMENT TAX CREDITS ENTRY BARRIERS EXPENDITURES EXPORT FINANCIAL ASSETS FISCAL DEFICITS FIXED INVESTMENT FLAT TAX FLAT TAXES FOREIGN FIRMS FORMAL ECONOMIES FORMAL ECONOMY FRAUD GOVERNMENT BUDGET GOVERNMENT BUDGET DEFICIT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE GOVERNMENT FINANCE GOVERNMENT REVENUES GOVERNMENT SPENDING HOUSEHOLD INCOME HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IMPLICIT TAX INCOME GROUPS INCOME LEVEL INCOME LEVELS INCOMES INFORMAL ECONOMIES INFORMAL ECONOMY INSURANCE INSURANCE PREMIUM INSURANCE PREMIUMS INTEREST INCOME INTERNAL CONTROL INTERNATIONAL BANK INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS INVESTMENT DECISIONS JOB CREATION LABOR MARKET LABOR MARKETS LOSS OF REVENUE MACROECONOMIC CONDITIONS MARGINAL TAX RATES MARKET COMPETITION MARKET CONDITIONS MARKET ECONOMY MARKET ENTRY MARKET REFORM MARKET REGULATIONS MONETARY FUND OPTIMAL TAXATION OUTPUT PAYROLL TAX PENSION PENSION CONTRIBUTION PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS PENSION REFORM PENSION SYSTEM PERSONAL INCOME PERSONAL INCOME TAX PERSONAL INCOME TAXES POWER PARITIES PRIVATIZATION PROPERTY RIGHTS PROPERTY TAX PROVISIONS PUBLIC PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE REVIEW PUBLIC FINANCE PUBLIC FINANCE STATISTICS PUBLIC GOODS PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PURCHASING POWER REAL ESTATE RED TAPE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK REPLACEMENT RATES REPUTATION SALES TAX SALES TAXES SAVINGS SHARE PRICES SHAREHOLDERS SKILLED WORKER SKILLED WORKERS SMALL ENTERPRISES SOCIAL PROTECTION STATUTORY TAX STATUTORY TAX RATE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS TAX TAX ADMINISTRATION TAX AVOIDANCE TAX BASE TAX BASES TAX BURDENS TAX CODE TAX COLLECTION TAX COLLECTORS TAX COMPETITION TAX COMPLIANCE TAX CREDIT TAX ENFORCEMENT TAX EVASION TAX EXEMPTION TAX INCENTIVE TAX INCIDENCE TAX LIABILITY TAX MEASURES TAX POLICIES TAX POLICY TAX RATE TAX RATES TAX REDUCTION TAX REDUCTIONS TAX REFORM TAX REFORMS TAX REGIME TAX REGIMES TAX REVENUE TAX REVENUES TAX SHIFTING TAX STRUCTURE TAX SYSTEM TAX SYSTEMS TAX TREATMENT TAX WEDGE TAX WEDGES TAXABLE INCOME TAXATION TAXES ON CONSUMPTION TAXES ON LABOR INCOME TAXPAYERS TRANSITION COUNTRIES TRANSPARENCY WITHHOLDING TAX WORLD DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS The paper examines the incentives and distortions created by tax policy and administration structures that motivate individuals to undeclare or under-declare work in the new EU member countries. It analyses the tax level and the tax structure "mix" of tax instruments, the special taxation regimes set up to attract workers and entrepreneurs back into the formal economy and how tax policies such as the introduction of a "flat tax" on income from labor and capital impacted workers and entrepreneurs in terms of formalizing work. It also attempts to gain some insight into the effectiveness of tax administration by comparing some input and output measures As non-tax factors can amplify the adverse effects of taxes on the labor market and reduce the effectiveness of tax reform, some of these other economic framework conditions are also discussed. This paper concludes by refining the main results and possible best practices for tackling undeclared work. The paper argues that the new EU member countries have had mixed success tackling undeclared work. While taxation matters, other underlying conditions for formal sector activity are also important. Addressing the problem of undeclared work therefore requires a broad policy approach with further improvements in tax policies, tax administration, and in general economic framework conditions for formal sector activity. 2012-03-19T18:06:55Z 2012-03-19T18:06:55Z 2011-12-01 http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/main?menuPK=64187510&pagePK=64193027&piPK=64187937&theSitePK=523679&menuPK=64187510&searchMenuPK=64187283&siteName=WDS&entityID=000158349_20111223221541 http://hdl.handle.net/10986/3691 English Policy Research working paper ; no. WPS 5923 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ World Bank Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper Europe and Central Asia Europe and Central Asia