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VAT Compliance, Trade, and Institutions

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  • Peter Morrow
  • Michael Smart
  • Artur Swistak

Abstract

We develop a simple structural model of value added tax (VAT) compliance, and estimate it using widely available national accounts data to learn about compliance in countries where little is currently known. International border controls improve VAT compliance, generating a correlation between imports and aggregate VAT revenues that is informative about domestic non-compliance. Estimates suggest that revenue lost due to domestic non-compliance is large, particularly in countries with low perceived institutional quality. Border controls keep overall VAT revenues high especially in countries open to international trade.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter Morrow & Michael Smart & Artur Swistak, 2019. "VAT Compliance, Trade, and Institutions," CESifo Working Paper Series 7780, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7780
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    Cited by:

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    2. Martin T. Braml & Gabriel J. Felbermayr, 2022. "The EU self-surplus puzzle: an indication of VAT fraud?," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 29(5), pages 1075-1097, October.
    3. Xing, Jing & Bilicka, Katarzyna & Hou, Xipei & Raei, Sepideh, 2024. "How distortive are turnover taxes? Evidence from China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance

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