Introduction
Value added tax (VAT), or goods and services tax (GST), is a consumption tax levied on value added. In contrast to sales tax, VAT is neutral with respect to the number of passages that there are between the producer and the final consumer; where sales tax is levied on total value at each stage, the result is a cascade (downstream taxes levied on upstream taxes).
Exports by definition, are consumed abroad and are usually not subject to VAT; VAT charged under such circumstances is usually refundable. This avoids downward pressure on exports and ultimately export derived revenue.
A VAT is an indirect tax, in that the tax is collected from someone who does not bear the entire cost of the tax.
VAT was invented by a French economist in 1954 as taxe sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA in French). Maurice Lauré, joint director of the French tax authority, the Direction générale des impôts, was first to introduce VAT with effect from 10 April 1954 for large businesses, and it was extended over time to all business sectors. In France, it is the most important source of state finance, accounting for approximately 45% of state revenues.
Personal end-consumers of products and services cannot recover VAT on purchases, but businesses are able to recover VAT on the materials and services that they buy to make further supplies or services directly or indirectly sold to end-users. In this way, the total tax levied at each stage in the economic chain of supply is a constant fraction of the value added by a business to its products, and most of the cost of collecting the tax is borne by business, rather than by the state. VAT was invented because very high sales taxes and tariffs encourage cheating and smuggling. It has been criticized on the grounds that (like other consumption taxes) it is a regressive tax.
Comparison with a Sales Tax
Value added taxation avoids the cascade effect of sales tax by only taxing the value added at each stage of production. Value added taxation has been gaining favour over traditional sales taxes worldwide. In principle, value added taxes apply to all commercial activities involving the production and distribution of goods and the provision of services. VAT is assessed and collected on the value added to goods in each business transaction. Under this concept the government is paid tax on the gross margin of each transaction. VAT proposes to replace
The FairTax Act will replace these costly, oppressively complex and economically inefficient taxes with a progressive national retail sales tax, which would be levied on the final sale ...
The government of the United Kingdom, likewise the government of many other countries, raises money to spend on public services towards the tax system. The taxes are raised by two different levels of government, the HMRC, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and the local governments, as Barnet, Islington, Camden, Haringey, among others twenty nine local authorities in London, for instance. While the HMRC deduces taxes through Income tax, National Insurance contributions, VAT, corporation tax and fuel duty, local governments are responsible for business rates, council tax and other fees, such as on-street parking. In turn, the money deducted for tax purposes are applied to improve the health, education, social services and social security system. There are different types of taxes for different circumstances, for example, you have to earn above a certain limit to qualify for income tax and if you are self-employed you may be entitled to claim back much of your VAT (BBC, 2009).
Taxation is a system that the government uses to gain money, they gain this money to support the government and provide public services. The government may secure their profits without taxation from natural resources, products, or services. (Taxation 1)
Taxes are the dollars that we pay to government to supply the services that are not or can not be provided through the free enterprise system. Taxes have been around since the beginning of organized societies. They come in various forms. Most common are income taxes both federal and local government. These taxes are assessed on the amount of income a person earns. Other taxes come in the form of user taxes; these taxes are imposed on the people that are using the goods being taxed, such as gas tax, alcohol tax, sales tax, and luxury taxes. Property taxes make up the major revenues for local and city governments. Furthering the burden of taxation are taxes that are attached to such bills as utility bills and rental expenses.
the example of taxation which is the first of its kind on this particular product. The author is
It can discourage business investment and expansion, as additional profit is taxed at higher rates
Taxes are one of the most controversial, yet important factors that contribute to a successful and stable government. Taxes are defined as, "a contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income or profits or they are added to the costs of goods and services." These taxes help fund many government operations and they truly keep our country and government running. Taxes are often opposed and many people just don't see the need for them.
Taxation has always been a major controversy. Just like any major corporation, the government is constantly looking to raise revenue. The easiest and fairest way to do this is by taxing the people. However, how the people will be taxed is always an issue.
The government use of taxes plays a crucial role in today’s economy as well as personal finances, it has and will continue to leave its mark on the world we live in.
The four types of taxes this paper will discuss are income tax, sales tax, property tax, and user fees. Income tax was not permanently established until the 16th Amendment was passed in 1913. Most federal taxes had been previously derived from excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol and other consumer goods. The US Constitution, when written and still continues to, legitimize taxation in the United States through Article I, Section 8, that Congress has the power to lay and collect taxes, duties et al, pay the debts or provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States (Cornell Law LII). Investopedia defines income tax as ‘a tax government(s) impose on financial income generated by all entities within their jurisdictions (Investopedia, 2014). Businesses and individuals are required to file an income tax return every year to determine if they owe taxes or qualify for a refund. That is determined by measuring the total income one earns to a designated tax rate, calculating one’s taxable income, which are some or all items of income reduced by other adjustments or expenses in that tax year. There are different subcategories of income tax; there is a federal income tax that is set by the federal government, apart from a few states, there is a state income tax that is imposed on their respective residents, as well as the possibility of there being local income tax ...
Taxation is a compulsory levy imposed on the income, value of goods and services of individuals, partners and companies by the government. It is can be said to be an approach of imposing tax on the citizen. This imposition of tax, is expected to yield income which should be utilized in the provision of both basic and substantial infrastructural amenities, both social and security, as well as creates conditions for the economic well-being of the society at large.
The use of taxes is one of the government's favorite ways to make its presence known in the economy. While this method seems blatantly obvious, many of the ways the government uses the money collected by taxation is not. Some of the money it takes is used to fund other programs designed to "protect" consumers and to "create" jobs. Be...
However if only indirect taxes are implemented, the revenue could be useful to fund not only negative advertising, the consumers who wish to relieve the taxation burden could change to other uses to carry their groceries such as a shopping bag that can be used over many times.
Taxation has evolved throughout history as a method of funding government functions. The US government began taxing its people by imposing tariffs on certain items such as liquor, tobacco, sugar, and legal documents. Currently, there are taxes on almost every function. The IRS regulates income tax laws, central appraisal districts control property tax values, and there is a state sales tax on most purchases across the country. Taxes are difficult, if not impossible, to avoid. Benjamin Franklin stated “'in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes” (Isaacson 463). Revenues from property taxes are used to fund public schools, hospitals, and local governments. I will discuss the history of property taxes and compare the Texas property tax rate to the rest of the country. Property taxes are more efficient than income tax and a better way for local governments to collect revenue from taxpayers.
Tax expenditures are popularly known as tax loopholes or tax breaks. It departures from the normal tax structure and ...