IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/tul/ceqwps/34.html

Analyzing and Reforming Tunisia's Tax System

Author

Listed:
  • James Alm

    (Department of Economics, Tulane University)

Abstract

Tunisia’s tax system has undergone significant structural reforms over the last several decades. Even so, its structure exhibits some major flaws, shortcomings that spill over to and affect the performance of the overall Tunisian economy. Further, the tax system continues to underperform in some fundamental ways, ways that also affect the rest of the economy. Finally, the structure of the Tunisian tax system has some notable shortcomings. This paper discusses these issues. It presents details of the main taxes, it analyzes several main features of this tax system, and it suggests various specific tax reforms that can be introduced both in the short term and in the longer term.

Suggested Citation

  • James Alm, 2015. "Analyzing and Reforming Tunisia's Tax System," Commitment to Equity (CEQ) Working Paper Series 34, Tulane University, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:tul:ceqwps:34
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://repec.tulane.edu/RePEc/ceq/ceq34.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2015
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. repec:wbk:wboper:13419 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Martinez-Vazquez, Jorge & McNab, Robert M., 2000. "The Tax Reform Experiment in Transitional Countries," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 53(2), pages 273-298, June.
    3. repec:wbk:wboper:13423 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Robin Boadway & Neil Bruce & Jack Mintz, 1984. "Taxation, Inflation, and the Effective Marginal Tax Rate on Capital in Canada," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 17(1), pages 62-79, February.
    5. World Bank & International Finance Corporation, "undated". "Doing Business in Pakistan 2010," World Bank Publications - Reports 13435, The World Bank Group.
    6. Peter, Klara Sabirianova & Buttrick, Steve & Duncan, Denvil, 2010. "Global Reform of Personal Income Taxation, 1981–2005: Evidence From 189 Countries," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 63(3), pages 447-478, September.
    7. repec:wbk:wboper:12202 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. World Bank & International Finance Corporation, "undated". "Doing Business in Philippines 2011," World Bank Publications - Reports 13437, The World Bank Group.
    9. repec:wbk:wbpubs:5907 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. World Bank & International Finance Corporation, "undated". "Doing Business in Hargeisa 2012," World Bank Publications - Reports 13418, The World Bank Group.
    11. repec:wbk:wboper:13432 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Gillis, Malcolm, 1985. "Micro and macroeconomics of tax reform : Indonesia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 221-254, December.
    13. Auerbach,Alan J. & Hines, Jr.,James R. & Slemrod,Joel (ed.), 2007. "Taxing Corporate Income in the 21st Century," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521870221.
    14. World Bank & International Finance Corporation, "undated". "Doing Business in Zanzibar 2010," World Bank Publications - Reports 13439, The World Bank Group.
    15. Martinez-Vazquez, Jorge & McNab, Robert M., 2000. "The Tax Reform Experiment in Transitional Countries," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association, vol. 53(n. 2), pages 273-98, June.
    16. James Alm & Abel Embaye, 2013. "Using Dynamic Panel Methods to Estimate Shadow Economies Around the World, 1984–2006," Public Finance Review, , vol. 41(5), pages 510-543, September.
    17. World Bank & International Finance Corporation, "undated". "Doing Business in Colombia 2010," World Bank Publications - Reports 13426, The World Bank Group.
    18. repec:wbk:wboper:13436 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. repec:wbk:wboper:13417 is not listed on IDEAS
    20. World Bank & International Finance Corporation, "undated". "Doing Business in Mexico 2012," World Bank Publications - Reports 13428, The World Bank Group.
    21. World Bank & International Finance Corporation, "undated". "Doing Business in Indonesia 2012," World Bank Publications - Reports 13433, The World Bank Group.
    22. Jorge Martinez-Vazquez & Robert McNab, 2000. "Tax Reform in The Tax Reform Experiment in Transitional Countries," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper0001, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
    23. World Bank & International Finance Corporation, "undated". "Doing Business in Nigeria 2010," World Bank Publications - Reports 13424, The World Bank Group.
    24. repec:wbk:wboper:12201 is not listed on IDEAS
    25. James Alm & Abel Embaye, 2013. "Using Dynamic Panel Methods to Estimate Shadow Economies Around the World, 1984-2006," Working Papers 1303, Tulane University, Department of Economics.
    26. repec:wbk:wboper:13427 is not listed on IDEAS
    27. repec:wbk:wboper:13425 is not listed on IDEAS
    28. repec:wbk:wboper:13434 is not listed on IDEAS
    29. repec:wbk:wboper:13438 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Nabi, Mahmoud Sami, 2021. "لتشع تونس من جديد [Making the Tunisian Resurgence]," MPRA Paper 107225, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Kamel Naoui & Abdelkader Kasraoui, 2020. "Post Tax Reform and Corporate Effective Tax Rate: Evidence from Tunisia," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 10(3), pages 1-6.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. James Alm, 2019. "Can Indonesia Reform Its Tax System? Problems And Options," Working Papers 1906, Tulane University, Department of Economics.
    2. Salvatore, Dominick, 2010. "Growth or stagnation after recession for the U.S. and other large advanced economies," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 637-647, September.
    3. Michael Pflüger & Stephan Russek, 2013. "Business Conditions and Exit Risks Across Countries," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 24(5), pages 963-976, November.
    4. Bargawi Hannah, 2014. "Economic Policies, Structural Change and the Roots of the “Arab Spring” in Egypt," Review of Middle East Economics and Finance, De Gruyter, vol. 10(3), pages 219-246, December.
    5. Nasr, Sahar & Rostom, Ahmed, 2013. "SME contributions to employment, job creation, and growth in the Arab world," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6682, The World Bank.
    6. Giuseppe Vita, 2012. "Normative complexity and the length of administrative disputes: evidence from Italian regions," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 197-213, August.
    7. Syle Krasniqi & Nagip Skenderi, 2025. "Unveiling National Competitiveness: Drivers and Impacts on Productivity," Economic Studies journal, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Economic Research Institute, issue 1, pages 3-21.
    8. Mercedes Delgado & Christian Ketels & Michael E. Porter & Scott Stern, 2012. "The Determinants of National Competitiveness," NBER Working Papers 18249, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    9. Buckley, Peter J. & Cross, Adam & De Mattos, Claudio, 2015. "The principle of congruity in the analysis of international business cooperation," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(6), pages 1048-1060.
    10. Richard M. Bird, 2014. "Foreign advice and tax policy in developing countries," Chapters, in: Richard M. Bird & Jorge Martinez-Vazquez (ed.), Taxation and Development: The Weakest Link?, chapter 4, pages 103-144, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    11. Chiarini, Bruno & Ferrara, Maria & Marzano, Elisabetta, 2022. "Tax evasion and financial accelerator: A corporate sector analysis for the US business cycle," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    12. Apostol, Oana & Pop, Alina, 2019. "‘Paying taxes is losing money’: A qualitative study on institutional logics in the tax consultancy field in Romania," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 1-23.
    13. Moumen, Néjia & Ben Othman, Hakim & Hussainey, Khaled, 2015. "The value relevance of risk disclosure in annual reports: Evidence from MENA emerging markets," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 177-204.
    14. Jorge Martinez-Vazquez & Mark Rider & Riatu Qibthiyyah & Sally Wallace, 2006. "Who Bears the Burden of Taxes on Labor Income in Russia?," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper0621, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
    15. repec:wbk:wbpubs:21985 is not listed on IDEAS
    16. Ivan Stosic & Dejan Eric, 2012. "Challenges And Perspectives Of Implementation Structural Changes In The Serbian Economy," Book Chapters, in: João Sousa Andrade & Marta C. N. Simões & Ivan Stosic & Dejan Eric & Hasan Hanic (ed.), Managing Structural Changes - Trends and Requirements, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 2, pages 25-43, Institute of Economic Sciences.
    17. Jorge Mart Nez-V Zquez, 2025. "The Art of Tax Reform," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 255(4), pages 87-131, December.
    18. Peiyong Gao & Jun Ma, 2015. "China: toward the new stage of improving its tax system," Journal of Tax Reform, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University, vol. 1(2-3), pages 145-160.
    19. Gerxhani, Klarita & Schram, Arthur, 2006. "Tax evasion and income source: A comparative experimental study," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 402-422, June.
    20. Janet E. Milne & Mikael S. Andersen (ed.), 2012. "Handbook of Research on Environmental Taxation," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13862.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H87 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - International Fiscal Issues; International Public Goods

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:tul:ceqwps:34. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Nora Lustig (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/detulus.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.