Taxation, developmental state capacity and poverty reduction

In: International journal of social welfare, Band 20, Heft 3, S. 270-279

Abstract

Di John J. Taxation, developmental state capacity and poverty reductionInt J Soc Welfare 2011: 20: 270–279 © 2011 United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), International Journal of Social Welfare © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.This article argues that policy instruments in taxation are likely to be more effective when one views taxation not only in terms of administrative capacity, but also when tax is viewed in wider developmental processes. Much of the literature and policy on taxation explores how to improve taxation in terms of administrative capacity without examining what policies are needed to improve the incentives of taxpayers to comply. The article provides examples of how tax reform can be more usefully employed when linked to explicit production strategies. It also argues that the success of improved tax collection needs to be assessed, not simply in terms of revenue increases, but also how these increases affect distributional outcomes and political stability.