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Assessing the effects of combating illicit financial flows on domestic tax revenue mobilization in developing countries

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  • Jean-Louis Combes

    (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - UCA [2017-2020] - Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Alexandru Minea

    (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - UCA [2017-2020] - Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Pegdéwendé Nestor Sawadogo

    (CERDI - Centre d'Études et de Recherches sur le Développement International - UCA [2017-2020] - Université Clermont Auvergne [2017-2020] - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Using propensity score matching, this paper assesses the effects of tackling illicit financial flows (IFFs) on domestic tax revenue mobilization in developing countries. It uses data on countries' compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations as treatment variable and involves 67 developing countries around the world. We find that countries which comply with FATF Recommendations (Cooperatives countries) record higher values of domestic tax revenue in comparison with those which do not comply with those Recommendations (Non-cooperatives countries). Otherwise, Cooperatives countries outperform Non-cooperatives countries in terms of domestic tax revenue mobilization. More interestingly, the extent of this adverse impact depends on tax structure: goods and services taxes are more affected, followed by VAT and excise taxes. Our results suggest that developing countries could mobilize more domestic tax revenue by implementing policies to curtail IFFs. Moreover, they should establish sound institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Louis Combes & Alexandru Minea & Pegdéwendé Nestor Sawadogo, 2019. "Assessing the effects of combating illicit financial flows on domestic tax revenue mobilization in developing countries," CERDI Working papers halshs-02019073, HAL.
  • Handle: RePEc:hal:cdiwps:halshs-02019073
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-02019073
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    2. Abdoul-Akim Wandaogo & Fayçal Sawadogo & Jesse Lastunen, 2022. "Does the adoption of peer-to-government mobile payments improve tax revenue mobilization in developing countries?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2022-18, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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