Tax policy has always been a predominant element of national economic policies and a decisive tool in directing the actions of governments in the economic field. In the past decade, however, as an increasingly globalized economy has presented challenges, tax policy has gained new importance...

The tax reform 2004-05 includes tax cuts within income taxation (€ –2.2 billion) and corporate taxation (€ –1.1 billion) as well as increases of several excise taxes (€ +232 million). The changes in the income tax rate scale taking effect in 2005 will increase tax progression and...