Search

The article focuses on the introduction of a flat rate income tax in the Netherlands to yield a better-functioning labor market and administrative cost for employers. It discusses the implementation of the flat rate in European countries especially in Eastern Europe and presents the literature of a flat tax rate in the region. It explores the flat rate, tax and social security system of the Dutch and compare them with Europe's. It also tackles the areas' problems with their income tax system.

The article criticizes the response of European leaders to a debt crisis in Europe and proposes solutions. In the author's view French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have been timid in addressing the issue. He recommends that European institutions such as the European Financial Stability Facility and European Central Bank implement something similar to the U.S. Troubled Asset Relief Program that injected capital directly into banks. For struggling nations such as Greece, he calls for cuts in public spending, a flat tax, and reforms to ease the process of starting a business.

The article discusses several European countries that have adopted stern measures to improve their fiscal circumstances and economic performance. In Lithuania government spending has been reduced 30% and pensions cut by 5%. Despite pressure from the International Monetary Fund, Latvia has retained its flat tax.

Reports that Europe is exploring the public policy of the flat-rate income tax. Statement that flat-rate income tax offers one low income tax rate paid by all but the poorest wage-earners; Benefits of the flat tax, including the removal of tax loopholes for the rich; Report that Russia and other eastern countries have enacted flat taxes.

The article looks at tax reform and flat-tax momentum in countries around the world. Flat-tax momentum is the big fiscal policy story of the year in much of Europe, with potential fallout in the U.S. High-tax fiefdoms like France and Sweden are feeling besieged. The present chief executive officer of Intel, Paul Otellini, told a U.S. presidential panel on tax reform that his biggest worry in deciding where in the world to build and operate a semi-conductor chip factory is taxes. In the mid-1990s, about the time U.S. reform advocates picked up on a flat-tax notion tried successfully in Hong Kong for decades, the newly free Baltics and central Europe put the idea into practice. A plan put forward to U.S. President George W. Bush's tax reform commission, the brainchild of Yale Law professor Michael Graetz, would have a flat 25% tax on married couples with gross income in excess of $100,000 and singles with gross income above $50,000.

The article discusses how nations can raise tax revenues efficiently to address deficits spawned by efforts to counteract a global economic recession. In general, taxes on consumption are better than taxes on savings. A flat tax rate on final goods is preferable to multiple excise taxes. Taxation in Europe tends to be more efficient than in the U.S.

The article reports on the implementation of flat tax in various European nations. Albania Prime Minister Sali Berisha has declared that the country would set its corporate and income taxes at 10 percent in 2008. It mentions that the existing progressive taxation of personal income in Czech Republic at 12 to 32 percent will be replaced by a flat tax of 15 percent in 2008 and 12.5 percent in 2009.

Focuses on European ministers and bureaucrats' launching of a campaign to impose a flat rate of tax on business throughout Europe. Threat of the campaign to the Channel Islands' tax-haven business; Support of the United States Justice Department for the campaign; Comparison of corporate taxes in selected tax havens; European Union officials' call for tax harmonization; Criticisms on tax harmonization.

The article focuses on the issue of single income-tax rates in Central and Eastern Europe. The region's embrace of flat taxes was driven by politic. Many countries depicted their flat-tax regimes as a symbol of their transition to a market economy and their invitation to investment. Few countries firmly attached to their flat-tax systems.

Discusses the influence of Slovakia in the possible introduction of flat tax in the Czech Republic. Views of Mark Jakoby, an adviser to the Slovak Finance Ministry, on the tax reform in his country; Percentage points in annual growth rate in real gross domestic product needed to be increased by the Czech Republic to compensate for the shortfall in tax revenues caused by a flat tax; Possible impact if flat tax failed on the republic.

Looks at proposals to flatten income-tax rates which are popular in ex-communist states. Suggestion it might be because income levels are still fairly even; Chart of tax rates by country with their income inequality rank.

The article looks at the impact of tax reform in Europe. he free-marketeers may now have the last laugh. One of their most cherished policy ideas--the flat tax--is fast gaining ground in Europe. To its proponents, the flat tax is the ultimate in fiscal simplification. If all corporate and personal income is taxed at a single flat rate, that slashes red tape and improves incentives. But flat-tax opponents have always countered that it is unjust not to have higher marginal rates for the rich. An idea that failed to gain purchase in the United States is, however, fast winning converts right across central Europe. To many in the rich, high-tax countries of western Europe, all of this smacks of the dreaded "race to the bottom", long forecast by those who feared that the enlargement of the EU would lead to a loss of jobs and an erosion of the welfare state. Some in western Europe are beginning to think of copying the flat-taxers, rather than fulminating against them.If old Europe cannot beat the flat-taxers of new Europe, it may have to join them.

Reports on the flat-rate income tax in Europe. Countries that have adopted the flat rate; Outlook for European Union states to have flat-rate tax policies; Historical background on flat tax rates; The role of Karl Marx in promoting the graduated income tax; Why the rich were taxed at a higher rate; Successful tax collection in Russia with the flat rate.