The fifth Banca d’Italia workshop on public finances aimed at providing an updated overview of both the analytical developments and the policy debate concerning tax policy.
It covered both microeconomics issues, such as the effects of taxation on labour and capital markets, and macroeconomic issues, such as the role of taxation in stabilisation policy. It explored the implications of economic integration on tax bases and the issue of tax harmonisation. It considered the effects of taxation on income distribution.
It focused on the policy issues currently discussed in European countries and other regions, thereby highlighting similarities and differences in tax policy challenges across countries of different levels of development. The illustrate the multiple objectives pursued by recent tax reforms: limiting distortions of economic decisions, enhancing equity, ensuring fiscal stabilisation, raising competitiveness and contributing to the long term sustainability of public finances.
The different methodological approaches of the papers emphasise the wide variety of research in the field. Some papers draw from theoretical models and others from empirical investigations, others directly from the policy debate.
The workshop allowed experts from central banks, ministries and economic institutions of several countries, international economic organisations and the academic world to discuss the design and economic effects of tax policy.
Attendance at the conference is by invitation only.
Organizer: Mr. Daniele Franco, Banca d’Italia
