Israeli corporate tax policy: A pro-growth system at risk

Globally, corporate tax rates have been declining for over two decades (except in the United States), and one consequence has been an increase in investment, a boost in workers' wages, and little or no loss of tax revenue. But a troubling tax policy trend is emerging in Israel, where once-aggressive efforts toward a competitive corporate tax are being reversed. Proposals to raise the headline Israeli corporate tax rate for a second year and, in particular, to raise taxes on highly mobile, export-oriented production represent the wrong approach and will harm economic prosperity. The consequences of this reversal in a small and open economy like Israel's are potentially dire and could extend to investors in the Israeli economy from the United States and other foreign countries.