Tax Competition in the European Union

Étude 15-12-1998

Is competition between tax systems a useful discipline on revenue-hungry governments? Or does it erode the tax base, resulting in higher burdens on labour and higher unemployment? Does Economic and Monetary Union automatically mean tax harmonisation? Part I of this study examines these issues and the steps that have recently been taken in the field. Part II provides a detailed survey of how Direct Taxes - on labour, on savings and corporations - are currently levied within the EU.