The priorities of the state excise policy

The research subject includes the theoretical basis and mechanism of excise policy formation and realization. The study aims to determine the priorities of excise policy development in the context of developing its regulatory impact on economic processes and increasing the fiscal potential of excise duty. Methods. In order to achieve the appropriate tasks, we used a set of methods and approaches that helped to ensure the conceptual unity of our investigation. The systemic and structural approaches, generalization methods, analytical evaluation, synthesis, comparison, scientific abstraction are applied. Results. The fiscal significance of the excise tax in the OECD countries and Ukraine for the last two decades has been determined. The main stages of excise policy development in 2001–2021 are systematized. The volumes of illegal circulation of excisable goods and losses of tax revenues are analyzed. Finally, the priorities of the excise policy are substantiated. Practical implications. Tax policy and instruments of its implementation. Conclusions. Ukraine could use the foreign experience of floating excise tax on fuel in a period of high and rising prices for petroleum products. It is necessary to eliminate the fundamental reason for expanding the illegal tobacco market - a significant difference in the growth rate of cigarette prices (primarily due to the rising tax burden) and household income. Therefore, it is reasonable to change the current schedule of excise duty rates by revising them and slowing down the growth from 20% to 10-12% annually. Furthermore, it is actually to return criminal liability for the illegal movement of tobacco products across the customs border of Ukraine. It is necessary to increase further the institutional capacity of the State Customs and State Border Services. The government should improve the institutional environment for the e-commerce of excisable goods. The priority direction of the taxation development of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products is introducing an automated control system over their production and circulation (electronic excise stamp). A further increase in the tax rate on alcohol should be taken with caution, understanding the potential threats to reduce legal production, and replacing this niche with counterfeiting, which will lead to lower revenues or a tiny increase. The main criterion for collecting excise tax for cars should be technical and operational characteristics related to fuel efficiency.