In the context of the current tax policy debate in the United States, this paper reviews and discusses some of the main recurrent themes, as well as some of the most important tax reform proposals put forward over the past two decades. It finds that although there seems to be widespread...

The UK coalition government claims that the establishment of market 'credibility' can only be achieved through the implementation of immediate and unpalatable fiscal austerity measures. The paper examines this claim and considers some additional questions. First, is there is any justification...

Ever since the financial and economic crisis of 2008/2009, public debt in almost all OECD countries has increased significantly. The European debt crisis has further intensified over the past few weeks. Private households with high levels of wealth and income could be enlisted to help with...

Ever since the financial and economic crisis of 2008/2009, public debt in almost all OECD countries has increased significantly. The European debt crisis has further intensified over the past few weeks. Private households with high levels of wealth and income could be enlisted to help with...

This 2013 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Czech economy, despite its strong fundamentals, is in the midst of a prolonged recession because of the euro area slump and weak domestic demand. A further slowdown in the euro area would exacerbate the situation, creating the risk of lower...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes the fiscal strength of the economy of the Czech Republic. Fiscal policy in the Czech Republic has shown a procyclical bias temporarily interrupted during the crisis years. The large stimulus implemented has been more than compensated by a frontloaded...

Portugal's program implementation is on track despite difficult economic conditions and significant legal challenges. The markedly weaker economic outlook provides a strong case for recalibrating the program’s fiscal targets. This strong adjustment effort needs to be consolidated by...

Seit der Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise ist die Staatsverschuldung einiger Euroländer so stark gestiegen wie nie zuvor, und eine glaubwürdige Konsolidierungsstrategie ist nicht in Sicht. Im Gegenteil, vermehrt wird sogar eine Lockerung der Sparpolitik gefordert, um so die Wirtschaft anzukurbeln....