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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The Case for a Local Net Value-Added Tax for Municipalities

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In this paper the case made by the Advisory Council of the Federal Ministry of Finance for reform of the local business tax in Germany is outlined. The criteria for a good local tax are described, and the proposals deriving from the Council are presented. The proposed reform is to introduce a local value-added tax of the income type. This tax would be defined on the base of business payroll, profits, interest paid, and rent. It would include businesses, professions, and administrative bodies. The reform is outlined and possible criticisms are assessed. With appropriate definitions of tax base and an enlargement of the group of taxpayers, the value-added tax is argued to be the best approach that is need-oriented, is organised on the benefit principle, has horizontal balance, is economically stable, and is perceptible.