Local taxes and economic growth

Municipalities shoulder the burden of creating business-friendly environments – managing infrastructure, navigating public resistance, and investing countless hours in smoothing the path for economic development. Yet, the rewards often flow elsewhere. Local taxes on economic activity offer a powerful solution. While a thriving local economy boosts budgets, different taxes shape municipal decision-making in distinct ways. This report examines how various type of taxes can serve as rewards for local economic development. To compare municipal tax revenues across countries, it introduces three dedicated indicators. To illustrate real-world impact, three case studies demonstrate how the sharing of direct taxes can catalyse local growth. Furthermore, there are strong indications that voluntary tax compliance rises when revenues remain local. In other words, rewarding local governments through tax sharing is a potential driver of both economic growth and fiscal compliance – benefiting citizens, businesses, and governments at all levels.