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Case Studies in Tax Revenue Mobilization in Low-Income Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Mr. Bernardin Akitoby
  • Mr. Jiro Honda
  • Hiroaki Miyamoto
  • Keyra Primus
  • Mouhamadou Sy

Abstract

How can Low-Income Countries (LICs) enhance tax revenue collection to finance their vast development needs? We address this question by analyzing seven tax reform experiences in LICs (Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Maldives, Mauritania, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda). Three lessons stand out, although reforms must be tailored to individual circumstances: (i) Tax reforms require first and foremost political commitment and buy-in from key stakeholders; (ii) Countries that pursue both revenue administration and tax policy reforms tend to see much larger and persistent gains; and (iii) A successful strategy often starts with fiscal reform measures with immediate effect to build momentum. These can include: simplifying the tax system; curbing exemptions; reforming indirect taxes on goods and services (e.g., excises); and better managing compliance risks through strengthening taxpayer segmentation (often beginning with strengthening the Large Taxpayers Office). A comprehensive reform strategy (e.g., a medium-term revenue strategy) can help to properly sequence reform measures and facilitate their implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Bernardin Akitoby & Mr. Jiro Honda & Hiroaki Miyamoto & Keyra Primus & Mouhamadou Sy, 2019. "Case Studies in Tax Revenue Mobilization in Low-Income Countries," IMF Working Papers 2019/104, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2019/104
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Mr. Bernardin Akitoby & Ms. Anja Baum & Clay Hackney & Olamide Harrison & Keyra Primus & Ms. Veronique Salins, 2018. "Tax Revenue Mobilization Episodes in Emerging Markets and Low-Income Countries: Lessons from a New Dataset," IMF Working Papers 2018/234, International Monetary Fund.
    2. Annalena Oppel & Kyle McNabb & Daniel Chachu, 2022. "The dynamics of domestic revenue mobilization across four decades," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2022-1, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    3. Fabrizio Santoro & Ronald Waiswa, 2024. "How to improve tax compliance by wealthy individuals? Evidence from Uganda," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 42(2), March.
    4. Olusegun Ayodele Akanbi, 2019. "State Institutions and Tax Capacity: An Empirical Investigation of Causality," IMF Working Papers 2019/177, International Monetary Fund.
    5. Miguel Niño-Zarazúa & Francesca Scaturro & Vanesa Jordá & Finn Tarp, 2023. "Income Inequality and Redistribution in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of African Economies, Centre for the Study of African Economies, vol. 32(Supplemen), pages 296-319.

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