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Impacts of Direct and Indirect Tax Reforms in Vietnam: A CGE Analysis

Author

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  • Keshab Bhattarai

    (Business School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK)

  • Dung Thi Kim Nguyen

    (School of Banking and Finance, National Economics University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam)

  • Chan Van Nguyen

    (French-Vietnamese Centre of Management (CFVG), National Economics University, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam)

Abstract

The study applies a multi-sector multi-household static computable general equilibrium (CGE) tax model to assess the economy-wide impacts of taxes in Vietnam. It examines two tax reform scenarios based on the tax reform plan proposed by the Vietnam Ministry of Finance. The first scenario is increasing the value-added tax (VAT) rate to 12% from the current 10% rate. The second scenario relates to setting a competitive corporate income tax (CIT) rate to the lowest rate in ASEAN (Associations of South East Asian Nations) countries by reducing it from 20% to 17%. Correction of current tax distortions will have positive impacts on labour supply, utility, consumption, output, and welfare of households as they reallocate resources from more to less productive sectors of the economy. The CGE model allows for the finding of the macroeconomic and sectoral effects on prices and outputs, as well as on welfare of households. While this study contributes to the literature on the CGE model for the Vietnam economy, it is a small step for finding the optimal tax structure in Vietnam. It recommends that the Vietnam government should increase the standard VAT rate to 12% and reduce CIT rate to 17% to shift the tax burden from capitalists to consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Keshab Bhattarai & Dung Thi Kim Nguyen & Chan Van Nguyen, 2019. "Impacts of Direct and Indirect Tax Reforms in Vietnam: A CGE Analysis," Economies, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-36, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:7:y:2019:i:2:p:50-:d:233236
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    2. Binh Thai Pham & Hector Sala, 2022. "The implications of public expenditures on a small economy in transition: a Bayesian DSGE approach," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 55(1), pages 401-431, February.
    3. Umar Bambale, Ibrahim & Sanusi Rafindadi, Aliyu & Usman Bello, Adamu, 2022. "Household Welfare And Poverty Impact Of Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategies In Nigeria: A Computable General Equilibrium (Cge) Analysis," Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy, Department of Economics, University of Ilorin, vol. 9(2), pages 1-13, June.
    4. Ibrahim, Umar Bambale & Abubakar, Isah Funtua, 2020. "Welfare Implication of Tax Rates Increase in a Recessionary Economy," MPRA Paper 111132, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 13 Dec 2021.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    tax reform; general equilibrium; tax analysis; Vietnam;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C68 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Computable General Equilibrium Models
    • D58 - Microeconomics - - General Equilibrium and Disequilibrium - - - Computable and Other Applied General Equilibrium Models
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H3 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents

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