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Is the Burden Too Small? – Effective Tax Rates in Ghana

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  • Nguyen-Thanh, David
  • Strupat, Christoph

Abstract

This paper examines capital income taxation in Ghana. We calculate effective marginal tax rates (EMTR) and effective average tax rates (EATR) using an extended Devereux-Griffith methodology to accommodate for tax incentives - an exercise that has not been done so far for Ghana. We find that the wide range of tax incentives leads to a high variation of effective average tax rates in Ghana. Tax holidays and preferential income tax rates lower the effective tax burden to a significant extent and encourage individual tax avoidance strategies. Furthermore our results confirm previous findings that tax holidays, effectively reducing EATR, favor high-profit short-lived investment projects raising doubts about their rationale.

Suggested Citation

  • Nguyen-Thanh, David & Strupat, Christoph, 2012. "Is the Burden Too Small? – Effective Tax Rates in Ghana," Ruhr Economic Papers 389, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:389
    DOI: 10.4419/86788444
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael P. Devereux, 2003. "Measuring Taxes on Income from Capital," CESifo Working Paper Series 962, CESifo.
    2. Alexander Klemm & Stefan Parys, 2012. "Empirical evidence on the effects of tax incentives," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 19(3), pages 393-423, June.
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    4. Mr. Alexander D Klemm, 2008. "Effective Average Tax Rates for Permanent Investment," IMF Working Papers 2008/056, International Monetary Fund.
    5. Mr. Arto Kovanen, 2011. "Monetary Policy Transmission in Ghana: Does the Interest Rate Channel Work?," IMF Working Papers 2011/275, International Monetary Fund.
    6. Michael Devereux & Alexander Klemm, 2003. "Measuring taxes on income from capital: evidence from the UK," IFS Working Papers W03/03, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    7. Dennis Botman & Alexander Klemm & Reza Baqir, 2010. "Investment incentives and effective tax rates in the Philippines: a comparison with neighboring countries," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(2), pages 166-191.
    8. Zee, Howell H. & Stotsky, Janet G. & Ley, Eduardo, 2002. "Tax Incentives for Business Investment: A Primer for Policy Makers in Developing Countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(9), pages 1497-1516, September.
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    10. Ulrich Schreiber & Christoph Spengel & Lothar Lammersen, 2002. "Measuring The Impact Of Taxation On Investment And Financing Decisions," Schmalenbach Business Review (sbr), LMU Munich School of Management, vol. 54(1), pages 2-23, January.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    effective tax rates; tax holidays; Ghana;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H10 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - General

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