www.pwc.com/payingtaxes 63646 Paying Taxes 2011 The global picture Using data collected from 183 economies, Paying Taxes enables a comparison of tax systems around the world as they impact business. For further information or to discuss any of the findings in this report please contact: World Bank Group PwC* Neil Gregory Bob Morris +1 202 473-8559 PwC US ngregory@ifc.org +1 202 414 1714 robert.c.morris@us.pwc.com Sylvia Solf +1 202 458 5452 Susan Symons ssolf@worldbank.org PwC UK +44 20 7804 6744 Tea Trumbic susan.symons@uk.pwc.com +1 202 473 0577 ttrumbic@worldbank.org Neville Howlett PwC UK +44 20 7212 7964 neville.p.howlett@uk.pwc.com * In this publication, ‘PwC’ refers to the network of member ï¬?rms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwCIL), or, as the context requires, individual member ï¬?rms of the PwC network. 2 Paying Taxes 2011 Contents Foreword 1 .H\ WKHPHV DQG QGLQJV  Chapter 1: Findings of the World Bank 5 and IFC’s Doing Business 2011 report Chapter 2: PwC commentary. A fair, stable and 17 sustainable tax system – the challenge for governments in the wake of the global economic downturn. Chapter 3: Using the Paying Taxes data around the world 51 Appendix 1: The Paying Taxes methodology 73 Appendix 2: About Doing Business: measuring for impact 79 Commentary from the World Bank and IFC Appendix 3: The Paying Taxes reforms 83 Summarised by the World Bank and IFC Appendix 4: The data tables 87 Paying Taxes 2011 3 Foreword Many examples of how governments are using the study are included in this report. They show how Paying Taxes has helped to increase recognition of :H DUH SOHDVHG WR SUHVHQW WKH IWK how governments are striving to improve edition of Paying Taxes – the global their systems and embrace best practices, picture. This is a joint publication and how some are achieving results. produced by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation An important part of the Doing Business (IFC) and PwC. The study is based and Paying Taxes project is not only on data collected as part of the to present and discuss the results of 'RLQJb%XVLQHVVbSURMHFW the study, but also to ensure an active outreach programme of consultation This is the most challenging time ever with interested groups. This helps to for paying taxes. The recent global develop and enhance the approach used. downturn has changed the economic :H KRSH WKDW \RX FRQWLQXH WR QG WKH ODQGVFDSH VLJQL FDQWO\ DQG LQ DQ results interesting and useful, and look unprecedented fashion. Governments in forward to receiving your feedback. economies of all sizes and at all stages of development are struggling with the Taxes are essential to economic and tax policy choices available to them. For social development. Business has a companies, the challenge is dealing with key role to play and it is important for the loss of public trust and increased governments, business and civil society scrutiny over how much tax they pay. to foster a new collaborative approach to meet the common aims of a fair, stable Paying Taxes looks at the impact of tax and sustainable tax system. systems on business using a case study company, but it does not consider the costs for society as a whole nor the EHQH WV WKDW WD[HV SURYLGH +RZHYHU the wealth of data collected by the Paying Taxes project makes it unique. Neil Gregory It covers 183 economies and enables Acting Director, Global Indicators an assessment of tax systems around and Analysis the world from the point of view of World Bank and IFC business over a six year period. The data presented and the methodology used is unique to the project. The study looks beyond corporate income tax at all of the taxes and contributions mandated by government for our case Susan Symons study company, and considers their full Total Tax Contribution Leader impact on business in terms of both their PwC UK tax cost and their compliance burden. Governments have consistently shown great interest in the results of this study, as it enables them to make comparisons with geographic neighbours and economic peer groups. 1 Paying Taxes 2011 ‘This is the most challenging time ever for paying taxes. The recent global downturn has changed the economic ODQGVFDSH VLJQL FDQWO\ DQG LQ DQ XQSUHFHGHQWHGbIDVKLRQ ‘Taxes are essential to economic and VRFLDObGHYHORSPHQW Business has a key role to play and it is important for governments, business and civil society to foster a new collaborative approach to meet the common aims of a fair, stable and sustainable WD[bV\VWHP Paying Taxes 2011 2 Key themes and findings “Taxes are the price you pay for civilisation.â€?* Taxes provide government revenues, and those who pay them have a stake in the system and in how government spends its money. Taxes are D OLIH EORRG RI D VWDEOH DQG SURVSHURXVbVRFLHW\ In the wake of the global economic downturn OHY\LQJ WD[ LV HYHQ PRUH GLI FXOW :LWK ODUJH VWUXFWXUDO GH FLWV LQ WKH ELJ GHYHORSHG HFRQRPLHV VFDO SROLF\ KDV QHYHU EHHQ XQGHU VR PXFK SXEOLF scrutiny. While there is a clear expectation that economies will need to raise taxes as well as making spending cuts, they will need to remain cautious in how they raise taxes to ensure that UHFRYHU\ LV QRW VWL HG )RU GHYHORSLQJ HFRQRPLHV with cuts in aid budgets, tax revenues may prove WR EH D PRUH VXVWDLQDEOH VRXUFH RI QDQFLQJ %XW challenges remain in terms of combating capital LJKW UHGXFLQJ WKH VL]H RI WKH LQIRUPDO HFRQRP\ and helping tax authorities to monitor compliance and collect taxes. * Oliver Wendell Holmes, US Supreme Court of Justice, 1904 3 Paying Taxes 2011 6LQFH WKH UVW VWXG\ ZDV FDUULHG Corporate income tax only ‘On average our case RXW YH \HDUV DJR WD[ UHIRUP accounts for only 12% of has driven a downward trend in SD\PHQWV  RI WKH WLPH WR study company pays the results. 60% of economies in the comply and 38% of the TTR. Any nearly half of its study have carried out tax reform during reform agenda therefore needs to look this time. For the economies which are beyond corporate income tax. Labour FRPPHUFLDO SUR W LQ included in both the 2006 and 2011 taxes and social contributions and taxes, spends seven weeks studies, the tax cost has fallen on average other taxes add to the tax cost and by 5.0%, the time needed to comply by FRPSOLDQFHbEXUGHQ dealing with its tax a week, and the number of payments by affairs and makes a tax almost four. The statutory rate of corporate income tax is not a good indicator SD\PHQW HYHU\  GD\V 7KH 7RWDO 7D[ 5DWH 775  WLPH of the amount of tax a company to comply and the number of pays. Generous tax allowances in payments have fallen most in VRPH HFRQRPLHV VLJQL FDQWO\ UHGXFH Eastern European and Central the corporate income tax paid, while in Asian economies since the study others, disallowances can increase the began. The lower TTR has been driven effective rate of corporate income tax. largely by lower rates of corporate 7KH QGLQJV SUHVHQWHG LQ WKLV income tax in some economies, but also Value added tax is the report come from the analysis of the E\ VLJQL FDQW UHGXFWLRQV LQ RWKHU WD[HV predominant form of administrative burden and the tax cost such as turnover tax. The number of consumption tax used around RI ORFDO UPV EDVHG RQ WKH 3D\LQJ 7D[HV payments has fallen due to decreases in the world. It takes longer for our methodology. actual payments as well as the impact case study company to comply with its RI HOHFWURQLF OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW 7KLV VAT affairs than it does to comply with What the data shows: has also helped to drive down the time corporate income tax. The time needed On average our case study company pays WRbFRPSO\ for VAT also varies considerably and QHDUO\ KDOI RI LWV FRPPHUFLDO SUR W LQ is dependent on the administrative taxes, spends seven weeks dealing with Certain practices have been practices implemented in each economy. its tax affairs and makes a tax payment effective in reducing the study every 12 days. results. These include tax systems Good tax administration is also ZKLFK KDYH HIIHFWLYH HOHFWURQLF OLQJ important. The approach of the tax Paying taxes is easiest for and payment (60 economies currently authorities and dealing with tax audits business in high-income do), those which have one tax per base and disputes are the aspects of the tax economies. They have the lowest (50 economies now have one tax per system that contributors around the tax cost and the lowest administrative base rather than multiple taxes), and world most want to improve. burden. These economies tend to have WKRVH ZKLFK XVH D OLQJ V\VWHP EDVHG RQ more mature tax systems, self-assessment (74% of economies allow a lighter administrative touch and UPV WR FDOFXODWH WKHLU RZQ WD[ ELOOV  greater use of the electronic interface with tax authorities. Corporate income tax is only one of many taxes and is only Tax reform is still high on part of the burden. Our company government agendas around the pays more than nine different taxes on world. Forty economies made it easier average around the world. In addition to pay taxes compared with 45 last year. to corporate income tax, there are on 5HGXFLQJ UDWHV RI SUR W WD[ LV VWLOO WKH average two labour taxes, a consumption most popular reform, but easing the tax, a property tax and four other taxes. compliance burden is equally important for business. There is potential for more focus on this area. Paying Taxes 2011 4 Chapter 1: Findings of the World Bank and IFC’s Doing Business 2011 report Paying Taxes: Figure 1.1 Entrepreneuers in Tunisia beneï¬?t from e-system for paying taxes Findings of the World Bank Improvement (%) and IFC’s Doing Business 2008 2011 report 84 hours saved 37% 14 fewer For Carolina, who owns and manages payments 64% a Colombian-based retail business, paying taxes has become easier in the 2009 past few years. In 2004 she had to make 69 payments of 13 different types of taxes and spend 57 days (456 hours), almost three months, to comply with tax regulations.1 Today, thanks to new electronic systems to pay social security Payments Time contributions, she needs to make only 20 payments and spend 26 days (208 Who improved the most in the ease of hours) a year on the same task. But high paying taxes? WD[ UDWHV PHDQ WKDW KHU UP VWLOO KDV 1. Tunisia WR SD\ DERXW  RI SUR W LQ WD[HV 2. Cape Verde Juliana, the owner of a juice processing 3. São Tomé and Principe factory in Uganda, faces a different 4. Canada environment. She makes 32 payments 5. Macedonia, FYR cutting across 16 tax regimes and spends 6. Bulgaria about 20 days (161 hours) a year on 7. China compliance. She has to pay only 35.7% 8. Hungary RI KHU SUR W LQ WD[HV %XW WKDW V QRW DOO Recent evidence suggests that in dealing 9. Taiwan, China with government authorities, female- 10. Netherlands owned businesses in Uganda are forced Source: Doing Business database WR SD\ VLJQL FDQWO\ PRUH EULEHV DQG DUH at greater risk of harassment than male- owned businesses.2 1 Days refer to working days, calculated by assuming eight working hours a day. Months are calculated by assuming 20 working days a month. 2 Ellis, Manuel and Blackden (2006). 6 Paying Taxes 2011 Some economies treat women differently Keeping tax rates at a reasonable level by law. Côte d’Ivoire is an example. can be important for encouraging the 7KHUH PDUULHG ZRPHQ FDQ SD\ YH development of the private sector times as much personal income tax as and the formalisation of businesses. their husbands do on the same amount This is particularly relevant for small of income. Three other economies also and medium-size enterprises, which impose higher taxes on women – Burkina contribute to job creation and growth Faso, Indonesia and Lebanon. But Israel, EXW GR QRW DGG VLJQL FDQWO\ WR WD[ Korea and Singapore impose lower taxes revenue.6 Taxation largely bypasses on women, to encourage them to enter the informal sector, and overtaxing the workforce. Explicit gender bias in a shrinking formal sector leads to the tax law can affect women’s decision resentment and greater tax avoidance. to work in the formal sector and report Decisions on who to tax and what stage their income for tax purposes.3 Reforms of a company’s business cycle to tax can that simplify tax administration and EH LQ XHQFHG E\ PDQ\ GLIIHUHQW IDFWRUV make it easier for everyone – individuals WKDW JR EH\RQG WKH VFRSH RI WKLVbVWXG\ DQG UPV WR SD\ WD[HV FDQ DOVR UHPRYH gender biases. Taxes are essential. In most economies the tax system is the primary source of funding for a wide range of social and economic programmes. How much revenue these economies need to raise through taxes will depend on several factors, including the government’s capacity to raise revenue in other ways, such as rents on natural resources. Besides paying for public goods and services, taxes also provide a means of redistributing income, including to children, the aged and the unemployed. But the level of tax rates needs to be FDUHIXOO\ FKRVHQ 5HFHQW UP VXUYH\V in 123 economies show that companies consider tax rates to be among the top four constraints to their business.4 The HFRQRPLF DQG QDQFLDO FULVLV KDV FDXVHG ‘The economic and VFDO FRQVWUDLQWV IRU PDQ\ HFRQRPLHV QDQFLDO FULVLV yet many are still choosing to lower tax rates on businesses. Seventeen reduced KDV FDXVHG VFDO SUR W WD[ UDWHV LQ  &DQDGD constraints for Germany and Singapore implemented tax cuts in 2009 to help businesses cope many economies, with economic slowdown.5 yet many are still choosing to lower tax rates RQbEXVLQHVVHV 3 World Bank (2010b). 4 Globally, companies ranked tax rates 4th among 16 obstacles to business in the World Bank Enterprise Surveys 2006 to 2009 (http://www.enterprisesurveys.org). 5 Canada, as part of a plan to stimulate growth and restore conï¬?dence, reduced the general corporate tax rate to 19% as of 1 January 2009. In Germany a stimulus package adopted in November 2008 introduced declining balance depreciation at 25% for movable assets for two years and temporarily expanded special depreciation allowances for small and medium-size enterprises. A second stimulus package, approved in February 2009, provided further tax cuts. In January 2009 Singapore’s Ministry of Finance announced a $15 billion ‘resilience package’ to help businesses and workers and reduced corporate income tax rates from 18% to 17%. 6 International Tax Dialogue (2007). Paying Taxes 2011 7 Tax revenue also depends on Figure 1.2 governments’ administrative capacity What are the time, Total Tax Rate and number of payments necessary for a local medium-sized WR FROOHFW WD[HV DQG UPV ZLOOLQJQHVV company to pay all taxes? to comply. Compliance with tax laws is important to keep the system working Total Tax Rate Time (hours per year) for all and to support the programmes Percentage of profit before all taxes To prepare, file and pay value added or sales tax, profit tax and labour taxes and contributions and services that improve lives. Keeping rules as simple and clear as possible is undoubtedly helpful to taxpayers. Overly complicated tax systems risk high evasion. High tax compliance costs are associated with larger informal sectors, more corruption and less investment. Economies with well-designed tax systems are able to help the growth of businesses and, ultimately, of overall investment and employment.7 0 10 20 30 40 50 Doing Business addresses these concerns with three indicators: payments, time Number of payments and the Total Tax Rate (TTR) borne by (Per year) D VWDQGDUG UP ZLWK  HPSOR\HHV LQ a given year. The number of payments indicator measures the frequency Figure 1.3 ZLWK ZKLFK WKH FRPSDQ\ KDV WR OH Where is paying taxes easy – and where not? and pay different types of taxes and Easiest Rank Most difï¬?cult Rank contributions, adjusted for the way in which those payments are made. The Maldives 1 Jamaica 174 time indicator captures the number of Qatar 2 Panama 175 KRXUV LW WDNHV WR SUHSDUH OH DQG SD\ Hong Kong SAR, China 3 Gambia, The 176 WKUHH PDMRU W\SHV RI WD[HV SUR W WD[HV Singapore 4 Bolivia 177 consumption taxes and labour taxes United Arab Emirates 5 Venezuela, RB 178 and mandatory contributions. The TTR Saudi Arabia 6 Chad 179 measures the tax cost borne by the Ireland 7 Congo, Rep. 180 VWDQGDUG UP JXUH  8 Oman 8 Ukraine 181 Kuwait 9 Central African Republic 182 With these indicators, Doing Business Canada 10 Belarus 183 compares tax systems and tracks tax Note: Rankings are the average of the economy's rankings on the number of payments, time and Total Tax Rate. See Appendix 1 reforms around the world from the for details. perspective of local businesses, covering Source: Doing Business database. both the direct cost of taxes and the administrative burden of complying ZLWK WKHP ,W GRHV QRW PHDVXUH WKH VFDO health of economies, the macroeconomic conditions under which governments collect revenue or the provision of public services supported by taxation. The top ten economies on the ease of paying taxes represent a range of revenue models, each with different implications for the tax burden of a GRPHVWLF PHGLXPVL]H EXVLQHVV JXUH 1.3). The top ten include several economies that are small or resource rich. But these characteristics do not necessarily matter for the administrative burden or TTR faced by businesses (see box overleaf). 7 Djankov and others (2010). 8 The company has 60 employees and start-up capital of 102 times income per capita. 8 Paying Taxes 2011 Also among the top ten, Hong Kong Does an economy’s size or Among both resource-rich economies SAR (China), Singapore, Ireland and resource wealth matter for and small island developing states Canada apply a low tax cost, with the ease of paying taxes? there is great variation in rankings TTRs averaging less than 30% of on the ease of paying taxes (see SUR W 7KH\ DOVR VWDQG RXW IRU WKHLU ORZ Some economies, especially small JXUH   'LIIHUHQFHV LQ DSSOLFDEOH administrative burdens. They levy up ones, rely on one or two sectors to tax rates account for some of the to nine different taxes on businesses, generate most government revenue. variation. But so do differences in yet for a local business to comply with This enables them to function with the administrative burden. Among taxes takes only about one day a month a narrower tax base than would resource-rich economies the TTR DQG VL[ SD\PHQWV (OHFWURQLF OLQJ DQG be possible in larger, more diverse ranges from as low as 11% of payment and joint forms for multiple economies. Maldives and Kiribati, for SUR W LQ 4DWDU WR DV KLJK DV  LQ taxes are common practice among these example, choose to tax mainly hotels Algeria. Among small economies four economies. and tourism, sectors not captured the TTR averages around 38%. The by the Doing Business indicators, administrative burden of paying taxes Tunisia, the economy that improved which focus on manufacturing. Other varies just as dramatically – being the ease of paying taxes the most in economies, such as Qatar, the United small or obtaining revenue from  IROORZHG WKHLU H[DPSOH ,W Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and resources does not always make fully implemented electronic payment Oman, are resource-rich economies taxation administratively easy. To systems for corporate income tax and that raise most public revenue FRPSO\ ZLWK SUR W FRQVXPSWLRQ value added tax and broadened their use through means other than taxation. and labour taxes can take as little as WR PRVW UPV 7KH FKDQJHV UHGXFHG WKH 12 hours a year in the United Arab number of payments a year by 14 and Emirates and 58 in The Bahamas compliance time by 84 hours. – and as much as 424 hours in São Tomé and Principe and 938 in Nigeria. Another 39 economies also made it easier for businesses to pay taxes in * Resource-rich economies analysed are those where ï¬?scal revenues from hydrocarbons and minerals account for more 9 Governments continued to than 50% of the total (based on International Monetary Fund estimates). lower tax rates, broaden the tax base and make compliance easier so as to Figure 1.4 UHGXFH FRVWV IRU UPV DQG HQFRXUDJH MRE Tax rates and administrative burdens are not necessarily lower in small or resource-rich creation. As in previous years, the most economies SRSXODU PHDVXUH ZDV WR UHGXFH SUR W Total Tax Rate and payments Time (hours per year) WD[bUDWHV 250 1000 200 800 150 600 100 400 50 200 Maldives Qatar United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Oman Kuwait Kiribati Bahrain Norway Vanuatu Timor-Leste Brunei Darussalam Tonga Suriname Seychelles St. Lucia Bahamas, The Solomon Islands Iraq St. Vincent and the Grenadines Dominica Samoa Belize Fiji Grenada Micronesia, Fed. Sts. Palau Marshall Islands Trinidad and Tobago Comoros St. Kitts and Nevis Cape Verde Azerbaijan Iran, Islamic Rep. Guyana Antigua and Barbuda São Tomé and Principe Nigeria El Salvador Angola Algeria Congo, Rep Ranking on ease of paying taxes Payments (number per year) Total Tax Rate (% of profit) Time (hours per year) Source: Doing Business database. 9 This year’s report records all reforms with an impact on the paying taxes indicators between June 2009 and May 2010. Because the case study underlying the paying taxes indicators refers to the ï¬?nancial year ending 31 December 2009, reforms implemented between January 2010 and May 2010 are recorded in this year’s report, but the impact will be reflected in the data in next year’s report. See Appendix 3 for a summary of these reforms. Paying Taxes 2011 9 What are the trends? Figure 1.5 In the past six years more than 60% of Tax reforms implemented by more than 60% of economies in the past six years the economies covered by Doing Business made paying taxes easier or lowered the Number of Doing Business reforms making it easier to pay taxes by Doing Business report year WD[ EXUGHQ IRU ORFDO HQWHUSULVHV JXUH Europe & Central Asia (25 economies) 58   *OREDOO\ RQ DYHUDJH UPV VSHQG High income: OECD 35 days (282 hours) a year complying (30 economies) 40 with 30 tax payments. A comparison Sub-Saharan Africa 40 (46 economies) with global averages in 2004 shows that Latin America & Caribbean 24 payments have been reduced by four (32 economies) DQG FRPSOLDQFH WLPH E\ YH GD\V  East Asia & Pacific 23 (24 economies) hours).10 Companies in high-income Middle East & North Africa 18 (18 economies) economies have it easiest. On average, South Asia 8 they spend 22 days (172 hours) on 15 (8 economies) tax payments a year. Businesses in low- DB 2006 DB 2007 DB 2008 DB 2009 DB 2010 DB 2011 income economies continue to face the KLJKHVW DGPLQLVWUDWLYH EXUGHQ JXUH Note: A Doing Business reform is counted as one reform per reforming economy per year. The data sample for DB2006 (2004) includes 174 economies. The sample for DB2011 (2009) also includes The Bahamas, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, 1.6). Globally on average, businesses pay Kosovo, Liberia, Luxembourg, Montenegro and Qatar, for a total of 183 economies. Source: Doing Business database.  RI FRPPHUFLDO SUR W LQ WD[HV DQG mandatory contributions, 5.0 percentage points less than in 2004. Figure 1.6 Administrative burden lowest in high-income economies Payments Time Total Tax Rate ‘Globally on average, Income group (number per year) (hours per year) (% of proï¬?t) UPV VSHQG  GD\V Low 38 295 71.0 Lower middle 33 359 40.3 (282 hours) a year Upper middle 31 272 43.4 FRPSO\LQJ ZLWK  WD[ High 15 172 38.8 Average 30 282 47.8 SD\PHQWV DQG SD\  Source: Doing Business database. RI FRPPHUFLDO SUR W LQ WD[HV DQG PDQGDWRU\ Figure 1.7 FRQWULEXWLRQV Who makes paying taxes easy and who does not-and where is the Total Tax Rate highest and lowest? Payments (number per year) Fewest Most Tax compliance becoming easier Sweden 2 Sri Lanka 62 Eleven economies in Eastern Europe Hong Kong SAR, China 3 Côte d'Ivoire 64 DQG &HQWUDO $VLD VLPSOL HG WD[ SD\PHQW Maldives 3 Nicaragua 64 in the six years since 2004. Average Qatar 3 Serbia 66 compliance time for businesses fell by Norway 4 Venezuela, RB 70 two working weeks as a result. The Singapore 5 Jamaica 72 momentum for change started building Mexico 6 Montenegro 77 in Bulgaria and Latvia in 2005 and swept across the region to Azerbaijan, Turkey Timor-Leste 6 Belarus 82 and Uzbekistan in 2006, Belarus and Kiribati 7 Romania 113 Ukraine in 2007, the Kyrgyz Republic Mauritius 7 Ukraine 135 and FYR Macedonia in 2008 and Albania Note: The indicator on payments is adjusted for the possibility of electronic or joint ï¬?ling and payment when used by the majority and Montenegro in 2009. But the of ï¬?rms in an economy. See Appendix 1 for more details. Source: Doing Business database. administrative burden generally remains high. Five of the region’s economies rank among those with the highest number of SD\PHQWV JOREDOO\ JXUH   10 The comparison of global averages refers to the 174 economies included in Doing Business 2006. Additional economies were added in subsequent years. 10 Paying Taxes 2011 Figure 1.7 continued Some Sub-Saharan African economies Time (hours per year) also focused on easing tax compliance. Fastest In 2010 Sierra Leone introduced Maldives 0 administrative reforms at the tax United Arab Emirates 12 authority and replaced four different sales taxes with a value added tax. Bahrain 36 Seven other economies – Burkina Qatar 36 Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ghana, Bahamas, The 58 Madagascar, South Africa and Sudan Luxembourg 59 – reduced the number of payments Oman 62 by eliminating, merging or reducing Switzerland 63 WKH IUHTXHQF\ RI OLQJV DQG SD\PHQWV Ireland 76 Mozambique, São Tomé and Principe, Seychelles 76 Sierra Leone, Sudan and Zambia revamped existing tax codes or enacted Time (hours per year) new ones in the past six years. Slowest Ukraine 657 Firms in OECD high-income economies Senegal 666 have the lowest administrative burden. Mauritania 696 Businesses in these economies spend Chad 732 on average 25 days a year complying Belarus 798 with 14 tax payments. All but two, the Slovak Republic and Switzerland, have Venezuela, RB 864 IXOO\ LPSOHPHQWHG HOHFWURQLF OLQJ Nigeria 938 DQG SD\PHQW IRU UPV %HWZHHQ  Vietnam 941 and 2009 the Czech Republic, Finland, Bolivia 1,080 Greece, the Netherlands, Poland and Brazil 2,600 Spain mandated or enhanced electronic OLQJ RU VLPSOL HG WKH SURFHVV RI SD\LQJ Total Tax Rate (% of proï¬?t) taxes, reducing compliance time by 13 Lowest days (101 hours) on average. Timor-Leste 0.2 Vanuatu 8.4 In the Middle East and North Africa, Maldives 9.3 businesses must comply with only 22 Namibia 9.6 payments a year on average, the second Macedonia, FYR 10.6 lowest among regions. Yet there is great Qatar 11.3 variation, with up to 44 payments in the United Arab Emirates 14.1 Republic of Yemen and as few as three SD\PHQWV LQ 4DWDU ,Q  RQO\ WZR Saudi Arabia 14.5 tax reforms were recorded, in Jordan Bahrain 15.0 and Tunisia. Georgia 15.3 Total Tax Rate (% of proï¬?t) Highest Eritrea 84.5 Tajikistan 86.0 Uzbekistan 95.6 Argentina 108.2 Burundi 153.4 Central African Republic 203.8 Comoros 217.9 Sierra Leone 235.6 Gambia, The 292.3 Congo, Dem. Rep. 339.7 Note: The indicator on payments is adjusted for the possibility of electronic or joint ï¬?ling and payment when used by the majority of ï¬?rms in an economy. See Appendix 1 for more details. Source: Doing Business database. Paying Taxes 2011 11 Figure 1.8 Paying taxes easier in East Asia and the Paciï¬?c – Regional averages in paying taxes Payments (number per year) High income: OECD 14 17 Middle East & North Africa 22 24 East Asia & Pacific 25 28 South Asia 31 31 Latin America & Caribbean 33 40 Sub-Saharan Africa 37 38 Europe & Central Asia 42 50 DB 2011 DB 2006 2009 Global average (30) Time (hours per year) High income: OECD 199 237 Middle East & North Africa 194 223 East Asia & Pacific 218 291 South Asia 283 305 Latin America & Caribbean 385 411 Sub-Saharan Africa 315 343 Europe & Central Asia 314 431 DB 2011 DB 2006 2009 Global average (282) Note: A Doing Business reform is counted as one reform per reforming economy per year. The data sample for DB2006 (2004) includes 174 economies. The sample for DB2011 (2009) also includes The Bahamas, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Kosovo, Liberia, Luxembourg, Montenegro and Qatar, for a total of 183 economies. Source: Doing Business database. In Latin America and the Caribbean (FRQRPLHV LQ (DVW $VLD DQG WKH 3DFL F UPV FRQWLQXH WR VSHQG VXEVWDQWLDO have reduced compliance time since time paying taxes – 385 hours a year 2004 by about eight business days, on average. They have to make an the most after Eastern Europe and DYHUDJH RI  SD\PHQWV D \HDU JXUH Central Asia. Most recently, Lao PDR 1.8). Thankfully, many economies in FRQVROLGDWHG WKH OLQJV IRU EXVLQHVV WKH UHJLRQ KDYH VLPSOL HG WKH SURFHVV turnover tax and excise tax as well as of paying taxes since 2004, saving personal income tax withholding in a businesses an average of three days single tax return. Businesses now spend a year. Still, only 12 of the region’s 25 fewer days a year complying with  HFRQRPLHV RIIHU HOHFWURQLF OLQJ WD[ ODZV &KLQD XQL HG DFFRXQWLQJ DQG SD\PHQW IRU UPV &RORPELD methods and expanded the use of the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, HOHFWURQLF WD[ OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW V\VWHPV Honduras, Mexico and Peru have LQ  VDYLQJ UPV  KRXUV DQG LQWURGXFHG RQOLQH OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW 26 payments a year. In 2008 and 2009 systems since 2004, eliminating the &KLQD XQL HG FULWHULD IRU FRUSRUDWH need for 25 separate tax payments a year income tax deduction and shifted from a and reducing compliance time by 11 production-oriented value added system days (83 hours) on average. The boldest to a consumption-oriented one, saving measures: since 2004 Colombia has UPV DQRWKHU  KRXUV D \HDU %UXQHL reduced the number of payments by 49 Darussalam, Malaysia, Taiwan (China) and compliance time by 248 hours, the and Thailand introduced or enhanced Dominican Republic has cut payments by electronic systems in the past six years. 65 and time by 156 hours, and Mexico has reduced the number of payments by 21 and the time to comply with them by 148 hours. And these economies continue work to further reduce the DGPLQLVWUDWLYH EXUGHQ IRU UPV 12 Paying Taxes 2011 In South Asia payments and compliance Figure 1.9 WLPH FKDQJHG OLWWOH RYHUDOO ,Q  Eastern Europe and Central Asia has biggest reduction in Total Tax Rate – Total Tax Rate (% of proï¬?t) Doing Business recorded only one tax Total Tax Rate (% of profit) reform, in India, which abolished IULQJH EHQH W WD[ DQG HQKDQFHG DB 2011 Total Tax Rate reduction 2004-09 Middle East & North Africa 13.2% HOHFWURQLFb OLQJ East Asia & Pacific 3.6% DB 2006 Total Tax Rate TTRs becoming lower South Asia 0.4% When considering the burden of taxes on business, it is important to look at Europe & Central Asia 14.9% all the taxes that companies pay. These High income: OECD 4.4% may include labour taxes and mandatory Latin America & Caribbean 2.3% contributions paid by employers, sales tax, property tax and other smaller Sub-Saharan Africa 3.2% taxes such as property transfer tax, Profit tax Labour tax Other Total Tax Rate reduction 2004-09 DB 2006 Total Tax Rate GLYLGHQG WD[ FDSLWDO JDLQV WD[ QDQFLDO transactions tax, waste collection tax and Note: A Doing Business reform is counted as one reform per reforming economy per year. The data sample for DB2006 (2004) includes 174 economies. The sample for DB2011 (2009) also includes The Bahamas, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, vehicle and road tax. In seven economies Kosovo, Liberia, Luxembourg, Montenegro and Qatar, for a total of 183 economies. Source: Doing Business database. around the world, taxes and mandatory contributions add up to more than  RI SUR W UDQJLQJ IURP  Firms in OECD high-income economies WR  JXUH   Doing Business SD\  RI SUR W LQ WD[HV RQ DYHUDJH DVVXPHV WKDW WKH VWDQGDUG UP LQ LWV WD[ Nineteen of these economies lowered FDVH VWXG\ KDV D [HG JURVV SUR W PDUJLQ SUR W WD[ UDWHV LQ WKH SDVW VL[ \HDUV of 20%. Where the indictor shows that And more changes are on the horizon. WD[HV H[FHHG SUR W WKH FRPSDQ\ KDV WR Australia, Finland and the United HDUQ D JURVV SUR W PDUJLQ LQ H[FHVV RI Kingdom have announced major 20% to pay its taxes. Corporate income reforms of their tax systems in the next tax is only one of many taxes with which IHZb\HDUV11 the company has to comply. The TTR for most economies is between 30% and The average TTR in the Middle East  RI SUR W DQG 1RUWK $IULFD DW  RI SUR W LV among the lowest in the world – thanks Economies in Eastern Europe and in part to tax reforms reducing it by 10.8 Central Asia have implemented the percentage points since 2004. Algeria, most reforms affecting the paying taxes Djibouti, Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, indicators since 2004, with 23 of the West Bank and Gaza and the Republic region’s 25 economies implementing 58 RI 100% (0.1%), and vehicle registration fees (0.1%) - but collects most of its revenue TTR IURP SUR WV WD[HV RQ WKH WRXULVP DQG Note: The chart shows the distribution of TTR for all economies in the study banking sectors. The UAE does not have Source: PwC analysis SUR WV WD[ IRU GRPHVWLF EXVLQHVV %XW LW does levy a social security contribution Figure 2.12 on the employer, which accounts for most of the 14.1% TTR, plus two other The trend in results for the TTR since the ï¬?rst study – In Paying Taxes 2006, 107 economies had TTRs between 30% and 55% small taxes - a trade licence fee (0.01%) and a vehicle registration fee (0.03%). 35 30 Cascading sales tax systems add 25 20 GUDPDWLFDOO\ WR WKH WD[ FRVW LQ YH 15 African economies (Burundi, Comoros, 10 Congo Democratic Republic, The 5 Gambia, and Sierra Leone). Cascading 0 style sales tax systems add extra tax costs 0%−5% 6%−10% 11%−15% 16%−20% 21%−25% 26%−30% 31%−35% 36%−40% 41%−45% 46%−50% 51%−55% 56%−60% 61%−65% 66%−70% 71%−75% 76%−80% 81%−85% 86%−90% 91%−95% 96%−100% >100% to each consumer so that an element of them is borne by each company in the supply chain. They make up 95% of the TTR 2011 TTR 2006 high TTR (235.6%) in Sierra Leone, for Note: The chart compares the distribution of TTRs for economies in Paying Taxes 2011 and 2006. Source: PwC analysis example. Since 2009, (the base period for Paying Taxes 2011), Burundi has Figure 2.13 changed to a VAT system, which will List of low and high TTR economies by region considerably reduce the TTR in future Low TTR High TTR years. Turnover taxes (levied on turnover UDWKHU WKDQ SUR WV LQ $UJHQWLQD DQG Region Economy TTR Region Economy TTR Côte D’Ivoire also add to the tax cost. African Union Namibia 9.6% African Union Algeria 72.0% Zambia 16.1% Eritrea 84.5% Botswana 19.5% Burundi 153.4% Lesotho 19.6% Central African Republic 203.8% Asia Paciï¬?c Timor-Leste 0.2% Comoros 217.9% Vanuatu 8.4% Sierra Leone 235.6% Maldives 9.3% Gambia, The 292.3% Samoa 18.9% Congo, Dem. Rep. 339.7% Central Asia Macedonia, FYR 10.6% Asia Paciï¬?c Palau 73.0% & Eastern Georgia 15.3% Belarus 80.4% Central Asia Europe Kosovo 16.5% & Eastern Tajikistan 86.0% Europe Middle East Qatar 11.3% Uzbekistan 95.6% United Arab Emirates 14.1% Latin America Colombia 78.7% Saudi Arabia 14.5% & Caribbean Bolivia 80.0% Bahrain 15.0% Argentina 108.2% Kuwait 15.5% West Bank and Gaza 16.8% Note: The chart list economies with low TTRs (less than 20%) and high TTRs (greater than 70%) Source: Doing Business database Paying Taxes 2011 29 Figure 2.14 shows the average TTR Figure 2.14 by regional grouping. The Asia Comparison of the TTR by region 3DFL F UHJLRQ KDV WKH ORZHVW 775 RI the groupings (36.9%), while Latin Asia Pacific 36.9% America and the Caribbean (48.0%), Central Asia & 42.5% the G20 (50.0%), and the African Union Eastern Europe (66.4%) all have an average TTR above OECD 43.1% the world average. While the average European Union 44.2% TTR for all economies in the study has dropped by 1.3% in the last year (from World Average 47.8% 49.1% to 47.8%), the biggest change is Latin America 48.0% & Caribbean in the Central Asia and Eastern Europe regional grouping where the average has G20 50.0% dropped by 3.1% (42.5% compared to African Union 66.4% 45.6% last year). Figure 2.15 compares the average TTR in this region for the Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes last two years, and shows the biggest Note: The chart shows the average result for the economies IDOOV LQ SUR W WD[HV  DQG RWKHU in each region and the world average for all economies in the study. taxes (1.4%). This has been driven by Source: PwC analysis reforms in some of the economies in the region. FYR Macedonia and Kosovo both made reforms to their corporate income Figure 2.15 tax regimes, and Belarus reduced the The trend in TTR for Central Asia and turnover tax, the base for property tax, Eastern Europe DQG VRFLDObFRQWULEXWLRQV 2011 10.9% 21.5% 10.1% 42.5% Figure 2.14 also shows that the make- 2010 12.1% 22.0% 11.5% 45.6% XS RI WKH 775 YDULHV E\ UHJLRQ 3UR W Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes taxes account for 18.1% of commercial SUR W RQ DYHUDJH DURXQG WKH ZRUOG EXW Note: The chart compares the average TTR for Central Asia represent a higher percentage in Asia and Eastern Europe region between Paying Taxes 2011 and Paying Taxes 2010. 3DFL F   /DWLQ $PHULFD DQG WKH Source: PwC analysis Caribbean (21.9%), and the African Union (22.2%). The statutory rate of corporate income TTRs for a selection of economies in tax is often not a good indicator of the Asia with results across the range are ‘The statutory rate of rate of tax paid. This is because tax rules FRPSDUHG LQ JXUH  6LQJDSRUH corporate income tax require adjustments to the accounting has the lowest TTR (25.4%) - one of SUR W WR FDOFXODWH WKH WD[DEOH SUR WV the lowest elements attributable to is often not a good Zambia and Kenya provide a good corporate income tax (7.4%) - and the indicator of the rate example. In Zambia, the statutory rate of lowest statutory rate (17%). Singapore corporate income tax is 35%. However, has had a policy of low corporate income of tax paid’ our case study company receives tax rates for some years as a means of generous tax allowances on its capital attracting business investment and job investment, and corporate income tax creation. In China, the statutory rate is SDLG LV RQO\  RI FRPPHUFLDO SUR W higher at 20%, but TaxpayerCo pays only In Kenya, the statutory rate is 30%, but  RI FRPPHUFLDO SUR W LQ FRUSRUDWH the disallowance of start-up and other income tax (the lowest among these expenses increase corporate income tax economies) due to generous allowances SDLG WR  RI FRPPHUFLDO SUR W for start-up and business development expenditure. In Japan, the statutory The UK provides another good example. rate is 30%, and the company pays In the UK, the statutory rate of corporate WZR RWKHU SUR WV WD[HV DQ HQWHUSULVH income tax has fallen from 30% to tax, at the statutory rate of 9.2%, and 28%. However, the reduction in rate is an inhabitants tax, at a rate of 6.2%. compensated for by the restriction in tax In Japan, TaxpayerCo pays 27.9% of allowances for capital expenditure. As a FRPPHUFLDO SUR WV LQ SUR W WD[HV small company, TaxpayerCo is subject to D ORZHU VWDWXWRU\ UDWH DQG GLG QRW EHQH W in full from the rate reduction, but does suffer from the restriction of reliefs. As D UHVXOW WKH SUR W WD[ HOHPHQW RI WKH TTR in the UK rose from 21.9% in Paying Taxes 2010 to 23.1% in the 2011 study. 30 Paying Taxes 2011 For almost all regional groupings, Figure 2.16 Figure 2.18 corporate income tax accounts for less Comparison of TTRs for a selection of Asian The TTR for Romania by percentage than half of the TTR. The percentage economies made up by labour taxes varies between Corporate income tax (23%) regions, with the highest percentage in Singapore 25.4% Social security WKH (8  RI WKH FRPPHUFLDO SUR W  contributions (52%) Health insurance and one of the lowest in the African Korea, Rep. 29.8% contributions (11%) Union (14.5%). Conversely, the average Unemployment contribution (4%) percentage accounted for by other taxes Thailand 37.4% Accident is low in the EU (2.7% of commercial risk fund (2%) Japan 48.6% Medical leave (2%) SUR W  DQG LV WKH KLJKHVW LQ WKH $IULFDQ Labour Union30(29.7%). inspectorate China 63.5% commission (1%) Guarantee fund (1%) TTRs vary between neighbouring Asia Pacific World average Fuel tax (2%) average 36.9% 47.8% Building tax (2%) economies. Figure 2.17 shows TTRs Other (0%) Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes for the 26 EU economies in the study (Malta is not included). High taxes Note: The chart shows the average TTR in a selection of Note: The chart shows the components of the TTR for on employment are a feature of the Asian economies and compares these to the Asia Paciï¬?c and Romania split by percentage region. The average rate of labour taxes world average. Source: Doing Business database Source: PwC analysis for the employer in the EU is 28.4% of FRPPHUFLDO SUR WV DQG WKH KLJKHVW RI Figure 2.17 the regions shown. This is not to say, of TTRs for the European Union course, that higher rates are worse - the EU is a region where the high level of Luxembourg 21.1% VRFLDO SD\PHQWV LV UH HFWHG LQ WKH VRFLDO Cyprus 23.2% support services that generally exist in Ireland 26.5% the region. Bulgaria 29.0% Denmark 29.2% Romania is an example of how labour Slovenia 35.4% taxes and contributions can be the United Kingdom 37.3% major part of the TTR for our case study Latvia 38.5% Lithuania 38.7% FRPSDQ\ VHH JXUH   5RPDQLD KDV Netherlands 40.5% seven labour taxes, which account for Poland 42.3% 72% of the TTR. Labour taxes borne by Portugal 43.3% the employer are 32.3% of commercial Finland 44.6% SUR W LQ 5RPDQLD FRPSDUHG WR  LQ Romania 44.9% the EU and 16.2% globally. Greece 47.2% Germany 48.2% It is important to note that the TTR Slovak Republic 48.7% measures only labour taxes and social Czech Republic 48.8% contributions borne by the employer Estonia 49.6% and not those levied on the employee. Hungary 53.3% But these are included in the measure Sweden 54.6% Austria 55.5% of compliance burden (hours to comply) Spain 56.5% where the employer is responsible for Belgium 57.0% deducting them from salaries and paying France 65.8% them over to the tax authorities. They Italy 68.6% are not included in the measure of tax cost (TTR). Chile is an outlier in Latin Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes EU average 44.2% World average 47.8% America and the Caribbean31 in that Note: The chart shows the TTRs for economies in the European Union split by type of tax compared to the EU and the labour taxes and social contributions world average Source: PwC analysis are imposed largely on the employee. The low TTR for Chile (25%) and the low percentage for labour taxes (3.8%) VKRXOG EH UHDG ZLWK WKLV FRQWH[W LQbPLQG 30 African Union includes Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Congo (Rep.), Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt (Arab Rep.), Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia (The), Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe (NB suspended countries are included). 31 Latin America and Caribbean includes Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas (The), Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela (R.B). Paying Taxes 2011 31 Figure 2.19 compares the level of taxes Figure 2.19 Figure 2.21 and contributions on employment Social contributions borne and Impact of the sales tax system on the TTR in Africa in Chile to those in neighbouring collected in Colombia and Chile Sales tax Proportion Economy TTR Colombia. In Colombia, the employer element of TTR bears 73% of the total bill for social Colombia 73% 27% Sierra Leone 235.6% 224.3% 95% contributions, and labour taxes are Chile 14% 86% Comoros 217.9% 186.5% 86%  RI FRPPHUFLDO SUR WV ,Q &KLOH Burundi 153.4% 126.2% 82% Labour taxes borne 86% of social contributions are borne by Labour taxes collected The Gambia 292.3% 238.0% 81% the employee. Preliminary research by Congo Democratic Republic 339.7% 272.8% 80% WKH :RUOG %DQN DQG ,)& KDV LGHQWL HG Note: The chart shows the percentage split of social contributions in Colombia and Chile six other economies in the study which between those levied on the employer and Note: The table shows the TTR for ï¬?ve economies in Africa which have a those levied on the employee. cascading sales tax and the proportion of the TTR attributable to the sales tax. are outliers in this respect, in the same Source: PwC Analysis Source: PwC analysis way as Chile. In the African Union, the range of Figure 2.20 UHVXOWV IRU WKH 775 LV ZLGH VHH JXUH TTRs for the African Union 2.20). The TTR ranges from 9.6% Namibia 9.6% in Namibia to 339.7% in the Congo Zambia 16.1% 'HPRFUDWLFb5HSXEOLF Botswana 19.5% Lesotho 19.6% A feature of some African tax systems Mauritius 24.1% is the high level of ‘other taxes’ in the Malawi 25.1% South Africa 30.5% TTR. As previously mentioned, in Ethiopia 31.1% YH FRXQWULHV ZLWK 775V RYHU   Rwanda 31.3% cascading sales taxes add considerably Nigeria 32.2% to the cost. Burundi, Comoros, Congo Ghana 32.7% Democratic Republic, The Gambia, and São Tomé and Principe 33.3% Mozambique 34.3% Sierra Leone all have these taxes which Uganda 35.7% make up the majority of the TTR (see Sudan 36.1% JXUH   ,I WKH $IULFDQ HFRQRPLHV Swaziland 36.8% with TTRs over 100% are excluded, Cape Verde 37.1% the average for the region drops to Madagascar 37.7% Djibouti 38.7% 43.2%, which is below the world and Zimbabwe 40.3% (8bDYHUDJH Egypt, Arab Rep. 42.6% Gabon 43.5% Liberia 43.7% Seychelles 44.1% Côte d'Ivoire 44.4% Burkina Faso 44.9% Tanzania 45.2% Guinea-Bissau 45.9% Senegal 46.0% Niger 46.5% Cameroon 49.1% Kenya 49.7% Togo 50.8% Mali 52.2% Angola 53.2% Guinea 54.6% Equatorial Guinea 59.5% Tunisia 62.8% Chad 65.4% Congo, Rep. 65.5% Benin 66.0% Mauritania 68.4% Algeria 72.0% Eritrea 84.5% Burundi 153.4% Central African Republic 203.8% Comoros 217.9% Sierra Leone 235.6% Gambia, The 292.3% Congo, Dem. Rep. 339.7% World average 47.8% African union average 66.4% Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes Note: The chart shows the TTR for economies in the African Union (AU) split by type of tax compared to the AU and world average Source: PwC analysis 32 Paying Taxes 2011 Comment: 0LQLQJ FRPSDQLHV FRQWULEXWLRQ WR SXEOLF QDQFHV A study of the economic contribution mining companies make to SXEOLF QDQFHV Total Tax Contribution (TTC) is a companies in the sector to disclose their Taxes and contributions borne by mining methodology for identifying and payments to government by country companies by percentage measuring all of the different taxes, and by project. PwC’s TTC work with royalties and other amounts that mining companies has already helped to Production taxes (11%) companies pay to government. throw light on the scale of the economic Property taxes (2%) PwC’s second TTC study with mining contribution they make to public Mining taxes (5%) companies, published in May 2010, QDQFHV $ QXPEHU RI WKHVH FRPSDQLHV Royalties, licence fees helped to bring transparency around are also using this information in their and resource rents (16%) the extent of the economic contribution RZQ FRUSRUDWH bUHSRUWLQJ Other contributions (6%) that mining companies make to the Corporate income tax (40%) SXEOLF QDQFHV LQ WKH FRXQWULHV ZKHUH The TTC study included 22 mining Other profit taxes (0%) they operate. The mining industry, companies headquartered around the People taxes (20%) perhaps more than others, remits large world. It looked at their taxes and other amounts of non-income taxes to various contributions paid to government, in levels of government in different forms. 20 countries of operation, in the year to Note: Pie chart shows the average picture for taxes and contributions borne by mining companies. However, these non-income taxes 31 December 2008. The study results Source: Total Tax Contribution. A study of the economic contribution mining companies make to public ï¬?nances PD\ QRW EH KLJKOLJKWHG LQ QDQFLDO are available at www.pwc.com/ttc- March 2010 statements, leaving an incomplete mining-study. picture of the contribution that mining FRPSDQLHVbPDNH The TTC mining study shows that on There has been a positive response to average around the world: the study, validating our perception Mining companies are under increased that there is keen interest in better public scrutiny regarding the taxes they Corporate income tax is only 40% of understanding the complete tax and pay, and in some countries, governments all taxes and contributions borne by other payments that mining companies have imposed or are looking to impose mining companies. make to government. The study results additional levies on the sector. There For every $1 of corporate income tax, have been used by government, investors is also growing pressure on both mining companies pay another $1.50 and civil society organisations, as government and business to increase in other taxes and contributions well as by the industry and mining transparency in the extractive industries, borne plus $0.52 in taxes collected. FRPSDQLHVbWKHPVHOYHV with a call for companies to ‘publish Mining companies contribute an what they pay’, and for governments amount equivalent to 15.3% of their to ‘publish what they receive’ and to turnover to government. report how they use these revenues. For every employee, mining The Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform Act, companies paid an average of signed by President Obama in July 2010, $15,349 in employment taxes alone. will in future require SEC registered Paying Taxes 2011 33 Comment: Paying taxes and development Paying taxes and development Economies all around the world depend Ease of Human Corruption on taxes to fund public expenditure, Paying Taxes Development Perception Index meet economic and social objectives, ranking (1) Index ranking (2) ranking (3) Income level (4) and improve citizens’ lives. However, Hong Kong, China 3 24 12 High-income developing economies generally derive Ireland 7 5 14 High-income a lower percentage of their revenues Luxembourg 15 11 12 High-income from taxes and rely more on debt or Mauritius 12 81 42 Upper middle-income international aid. With aid monies Singapore 4 23 3 High-income negatively affected by the economic Switzerland 16 9 5 High-income downturn, it is clear that tax revenues are a more sustainable source of (1) The World Bank, IFC and PwC, Paying Taxes 2011 – the Global Picture (ranking out of 183) QDQFLQJ IRU GHYHORSLQJ FRXQWULHV (2) UNDP Human Development Index 2007 (ranking out of 182 – up to 38 categorised as ‘very high’ human development, 39 to 83 categorised as ‘high’ human development) There is therefore an increased (3) Transparency International Corruption Perception Index 2007 (ranking out of 180) (4) The World Bank and IFC, Doing Business 2011 focus on the role that tax can play in LQWHUQDWLRQDObGHYHORSPHQW There are a number of challenges to of human development based on life As already stressed, economies with increasing tax revenues in developing expectancy, literacy rate and standard low TTRs are not necessarily a good countries, including reforming their of living) and the Transparency model for other economies. What is tax systems to reduce the size of the International Corruption Perception important is how the tax system helps to informal economy and to encourage Index (which indicates the perceived IXO O HFRQRPLF DQG VRFLDO REMHFWLYHV DQG local businesses to register and pay tax. level of public sector corruption in ZKHWKHU KLJKHU WD[HV RZ WKURXJK WR D Figures 2.22 and 2.39 show that Total an economy). These economies may better quality of life for citizens. These Tax Rates (TTRs) tend to be higher, and therefore offer best practices or provide particular economies have low TTRs the hours to comply longer, in lower- a model for other tax systems. and compliance time, but high income income economies. levels and a high human development These six economies all have TTRs score. Their governments’ policies In the study, there are a number of which are well below the world average have been to keep taxes low to attract small economies who do well on the of 47.8% (Hong Kong (China): 24.1%, EXVLQHVVbLQYHVWPHQW Paying Taxes indicator and also on a Ireland: 26.5%, Luxembourg: 21.1%, number of other important and relevant Mauritius: 24.1%, Singapore: 25.4% and Given the increased focus on improving measures. Hong Kong (China), Ireland, Switzerland: 30.1%). They also have tax compliance and tax collection in Luxembourg, Mauritius, Singapore and compliance time which is well below the developing countries, it may be helpful Switzerland, all rank in the top 20 for world average of 282 hours (Hong Kong for governments to look at experience the overall ease of paying taxes and also (China): 80, Ireland: 76, Luxembourg: in other economies, including score highly on two other indices – the 59, Mauritius: 161, Singapore: 84 and these mentioned, for models and United Nations Human Development Switzerland: 63). JRRGbH[DPSOHV Index (which is a summary measure 34 Paying Taxes 2011 Figure 2.22 TTR by income level High-income 38.8% Lower middle-income 40.3% Upper middle-income 43.4% Low-income 71.0% Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes Note: The chart shows the average TTR by income level, using World Bank Group Development Indicators split by type of tax. Source: Doing Business database As well as cascading sales taxes, there Figure 2.22 sets out results when are other key points of difference economies are grouped by income level, between TTRs in the European Union and shows that the average tax cost is and the African Union. The average lowest in high-income economies. The corporate income tax element of TTR in picture is similar to the comparison the African Union at 22.2% is the highest between the African Union and the of the regional groups and above Europe (XURSHDQ 8QLRQ ZLWK KLJKHU SUR W WD[HV at 13.1%. Labour taxes and contributions and lower labour taxes in low-income are much lower at 14.5% in Africa economies compared to high-income compared to 28.4% in Europe. Several economies. To some extent, this of economies in Africa have very low FRXUVH UH HFWV ORZHU OHYHOV RI ZDJHV levels of labour taxes and contributions. and salaries, but also, as we have seen Economies such as Lesotho and in Africa, low rates of labour taxes and Ethiopia have no such payments levied social contributions. on the employer while others, such as South Africa, have a low level (2.5%). The time to comply As mentioned in the South African The time to comply measures the country article in Paying Taxes last year, compliance burden for TaxpayerCo. increasing social security has been raised Contributors in each economy are as a priority by the National Treasury. asked to estimate the time needed for compliance activities across the three Two countries, Liberia and Kenya, major types of taxes it complies with. provide an example of the diversity This includes corporate income tax; of tax systems in Africa. Kenya levies labour taxes and social contributions 16 taxes on TaxpayerCo, but two- (both those levied on the employer and thirds (67%) of the TTR of 49.7% is those levied on the employee, which the WKH FRUSRUDWH LQFRPH WD[ RQ SUR W employer deducts through the payroll); Liberia levies nine taxes on TaxpayerCo, and consumption taxes. Compliance including corporate income tax and a activities for each type of tax are grouped WXUQRYHU WD[ )RXU IWKV  RI WKH under three headings – preparing the TTR of 43.7% is accounted for by the WD[ JXUHV FRPSOHWLQJ DQG OLQJ WKH WD[ turnover tax. This can be set off against returns, and paying the taxes. corporate income tax due and reduces this to nil for TaxpayerCo. Paying Taxes 2011 35 Figure 2.23 Analysis of the hours to comply in Kenya – 393 hours Corporate Compliance process income tax Labour taxes VAT Preparation Data gathering from internal sources 10 15 30 (for example accounting records) Additional analysis of accounting information to 5 6 24 highlight tax sensitive items Actual calculation of tax liability including data inputting 15 12 96 into software/spreadsheets or hard copy records Time spent maintaining/updating accounting systems for 0 0 0 changes in tax rates and rules Preparation and maintenance of mandatory tax records 5 0 60 if required Total 35 33 210 Filing Completion of tax return forms 5 6 12 Time spent submitting forms to tax authority, which may include time for electronic ï¬?ling, waiting time at tax authority 10 6 12 ofï¬?ce etc Total 15 12 24 Paying taxes Calculations of tax payments required including if necessary 6 6 36 extraction of data from accounting records Analysis of forecast data and associated calculations if 0 0 0 advance payments are required Time to make the necessary tax payments, either online or at the tax authority ofï¬?ce (include time for waiting in line and 4 6 6 travel if necessary) Total 10 12 42 Grand Total 60 57 276 Note: The table shows the calculation of the hours to comply split between type of tax and compliance activity. Source: Doing Business database $V DQ H[DPSOH RI WKH FDOFXODWLRQ JXUH Figure 2.24 2.23 shows the time to comply for Kenya. ‘In Kenya, a total of In Kenya, a total of 393 hours are needed Hours to comply in Kenya by compliance activity 393 hours is needed or nearly ten weeks of full-time work Prepare 278 (with a 40-hour week). The majority to comply – nearly ten of this time (276 hours or nearly seven File 51 weeks of full-time work’ weeks) is spent on VAT. Split by type of FRPSOLDQFH DFWLYLW\ VHH JXUH   Pay 64 around seven of the ten weeks are spent Corporate income tax time Labour tax time SUHSDULQJ WKH WD[ JXUHV RQH DQG D KDOI Consumption tax time ZHHNV RQ FRPSOHWLQJ DQG OLQJ WKH WD[ Note: The chart shows the hours to comply in Kenya by returns, and one and a half weeks on compliance activity. Source: Doing Business database PDNLQJbSD\PHQW Figure 2.25 shows how the time to Figure 2.25 comply in Kenya compares to the average The hours to comply in Kenya compared to the for economies in the African Union and African Union and the world average the world average result. It is clear that it takes less time to comply with both World average 71 102 109 282 corporate income tax and labour taxes AU average 77 100 135 313 in Kenya, than on average in the African Union and around the world. However, it Kenya 60 57 276 393 takes considerably more time to comply with consumption tax (which in Kenya Corporate income tax time Labour tax time Consumption tax time is VAT) and most of this time is spent SUHSDULQJ WKH WD[ JXUHV Note: The chart compares the hours to comply in Kenya with the African Union (AU) and world average. Source: PwC analysis 36 Paying Taxes 2011 $V VKRZQ LQ JXUH  WKH DYHUDJH Figure 2.26 time to comply for all economies in the Distribution of the time to comply results - In 123 economies compliance activities take between study is 282 hours. Seventy-one hours 101 and 350 hours are spent on corporate income tax, 102 30 hours on labour taxes and 109 hours on 25 consumption taxes. Figure 2.26 shows 20 the distribution of results and highlights 15 that there is a strong concentration of 10 economies (123 economies) in the range 5 of 101 to 350 hours. Eighteen economies 0 take less than 100 hours to comply with 0−50 51−100 101−150 151−200 201−250 251−300 301−350 351−400 401−450 451−500 501−550 551−600 601−650 651−700 701−750 751−800 801−850 851−900 901−950 951−1000 >1001 their taxes and 41 economies need more than 350 hours. Figure 2.27 compares the current distribution with that from Hours to comply YH \HDUV DJR LQ Paying Taxes 2006 and Note: The chart shows the distribution of results for the time to comply shows the downward trend. In Paying Source: PwC analysis Taxes 2006, the global average time to comply was 329 hours – that’s 47 hours Figure 2.27 more than in 2011. Only 105 economies The trend in results for the time to comply since the ï¬?rst study – In Paying Taxes 2006 only 105 were in the range of 101 to 350 hours economies were in the range of 101 and 350 hours and, in 53 economies, the time needed to comply was more than 350 hours. 30 25 Figure 2.28 lists the economies at both 20 the lower end of the results (less than 15 100 hours), and the higher end (over 10 550 hours). Of the 18 economies where 5 OHVV WKDQ  KRXUV DUH QHHGHG YH DUH 0 oil-rich states in the Middle East and 0−50 51−100 101−150 151−200 201−250 251−300 301−350 351−400 401−450 451−500 501−550 551−600 601−650 651−700 701−750 751−800 801−850 851−900 901−950 951−1000 >1001 D IXUWKHU YH DUH LVODQG VWDWHV 7KHVH tend to have few taxes so little time is needed. Complying with the property Hours 2011 Hours 2006 taxes in the Maldives, for example, Note: The chart shows the distribution of results for the time to comply in Paying Taxes 2011 compared to Paying Taxes 2006. takes only a few minutes. The remaining Source: PwC analysis HFRQRPLHV KRZHYHU LQFOXGH YH LQ Europe (Estonia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Figure 2.28 Switzerland and Norway) plus Hong List of economies with low and high time to comply by region Kong and Singapore. Some of these are Low time to comply High time to comply smaller economies which have a positive focus on lightening the tax burden on Region Economy Hours Region Economy Hours business as part of their economic policy. African Union Seychelles 76 African Union Congo, Rep. 606 Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Djibouti 90 Cameroon 654 and Switzerland also have a TTR well Asia Paciï¬?c Maldives 0 Senegal 666 below the world average. All seven Hong Kong, China 80 Mauritania 696 economies score well on quality of life as Solomon Islands 80 Chad 732 measured by the United Nations Human Singapore 84 Nigeria 938 'HYHORSPHQWb,QGH[ Europe Luxembourg 59 Asia Paciï¬?c Pakistan 560 Switzerland 63 Vietnam 941 Ireland 76 Central Asia Armenia 581 & Eastern Europe Estonia 81 Ukraine 657 Norway 87 Belarus 798 Latin America Bahamas, The 58 Europe Czech Republic 557 and Caribbean St Lucia 92 Bulgaria 616 Middle East United Arab Emirates 12 Latin America Ecuador 654 & Caribbean Bahrain 36 Venezuela, R.B. 864 Qatar 36 Bolivia 1,080 Oman 62 Brazil 2,600 Saudi Arabia 79 Note: The chart lists economies with low time to comply (less than 100 hours) and high time to comply (greater than 550 hours) Source: Doing Business database Paying Taxes 2011 37 Economies that need more than Figure 2.29 also shows that the elements Figure 2.29 550 hours to comply include four in of the time to comply vary by region. Comparison of the time to comply by region South America, three former Soviet In the European Union economies, Republics, two new members of the compliance time is less than the world OECD 209 European Union, six in Africa, Pakistan average for corporate income tax (42 and Vietnam. They show a generally compared to 71 hours) and consumption European Union 222 consistent pattern of more burdensome tax (72 compared to 109 hours). But Asia Pacific 233 requirements, needing more time than more time is required for labour taxes World Average 282 the average across all the three main (108 compared to 102 hours). It is the types of tax. Bulgaria and the Czech reverse in the African Union with less African Union 313 Republic provide an interesting example time needed on labour taxes (100 hours) Central Asia & 332 Eastern Europe of the difference between the older and and more on both corporate income G20 370 newer members of the European Union. tax (77 hours), and consumption tax Both economies rank well within this (135 hours). In the OECD countries, Latin America & Caribbean 385 economic grouping on the tax cost (the compliance time is less than the world TTR is 29% in Bulgaria and 48.8% in the average across all three taxes. But in Corporate income tax time Labour tax time Consumption tax time Czech Republic). But along with other Latin America and the Caribbean, it new members in central Europe, they takes more time across all taxes. Note: The chart shows the average result for the economies in each region and the world average of all economies in have more to do to reform compliance the study procedures. The Czech Republic has Source: PwC analysis VLJQL FDQWO\ UHGXFHG WLPH WR FRPSO\ RYHU WKH ODVW YH \HDUV E\  KRXUV RU QLQH ‘VAT does not add to the weeks of work) but there is still progress tax cost for TaxpayerCo, Figure 2.30 to be made. There has been no reduction during this period to the time needed but adds considerably to The trend in time to comply for Central Asia and Eastern Europe LQb%XOJDULD WKH FRPSOLDQFHbEXUGHQ 2011 102 108 122 332 Figure 2.29 shows the average time to 2010 111 111 126 348 comply by regional grouping. It takes $V VKRZQ LQ JXUH  RQ DYHUDJH the least time to comply on average around the world, it takes least time for Corporate income tax time Labour tax time in the OECD (209 hours) and the our case study company to comply with Consumption tax time European Union (222 hours), with the corporate income tax (71 hours), more Note: The chart compares the average time to comply for longest time needed in Central Asia and time for labour taxes and contributions Central Asia and Eastern Europe region between Paying Taxes Eastern Europe (332 hours), the G20 (102 hours) and the most time for 2011 and Paying Taxes 2010. Source: PwC analysis (370 hours), and Latin America and the consumption tax (109 hours). It takes Caribbean (385 hours). even more time when the consumption tax is a VAT. 148 of the 183 economies Around the world, the average time to measured have a VAT type sales tax comply has fallen by 47 hours, or more system. On average, for these economies, WKDQ D GD\ D \HDU VLQFH WKH UVW VWXG\ YH it takes 126 hours for VAT compliance years ago. However the pace of change or nearly 64% as much time again does seem to have slowed, with a fall as it does for corporate income tax. RQ DYHUDJH RI RQO\ YH KRXUV VLQFH ODVW VAT does not add to the tax cost for year. The biggest change in the last year TaxpayerCo, but adds considerably to the is in the Central Asia and Eastern Europe FRPSOLDQFHbEXUGHQ region where the average time has fallen by 16 hours (332 compared to 348 last year). Figure 2.30 compares the average time in the region for the last two years, and shows reductions in the time needed across all the different types of taxes. 6LJQL FDQW UHGXFWLRQV LQ WKH WLPH QHHGHG across all taxes in Azerbaijan, Belarus and Ukraine affected the regional result. ,Q DOO WKUHH HFRQRPLHV HI FLHQFLHV IURP RQOLQH OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW RI WD[HV SDUWO\ contributed to the reduced time. 38 Paying Taxes 2011 The time needed to comply with Figure 2.31 consumption taxes varies considerably Administrative practices signiï¬?cantly impact the time to comply for consumption taxes around the world. It ranges from eight Indirect taxes administered by separate authority hours in Switzerland and 22 hours in Finland to 480 hours in Bolivia and Yes 143 1,374 hours in Brazil. Our analysis shows that this difference can be driven by No 109 administrative practices. It takes nearly Average time to comply with consumption taxes a third as much time again to comply when indirect taxes are administered by a separate tax authority from corporate Invoices required to be submitted with VAT returns income tax, and over two-thirds as long if the tax authorities require invoices Yes 153 to be submitted with VAT returns (see No 90 JXUH   ,W DOVR WDNHV ORQJHU ZKHQ business has to comply with more than Average time to comply with consumption taxes one consumption tax. Brazil is the Note: The charts compare the average time to comply where (1) separate authorities administer indirect taxes and corporate economy where it takes the longest time income tax and (2) where invoices have to be submitted with VAT returns. to comply with consumption taxes at Source: PwC analysis 1,374 hours. It takes a full-time person two-thirds of the year to comply with the three consumption taxes relevant to TaxpayerCo which are PIS / COFINS Figure 2.32 and IPI (federal taxes) and ICMS (state Number of hours to comply across the European Union tax). The state tax system (ICMS) is very complex and involves compliance Luxembourg 59 obligations in all of the 26 Brazilian Ireland 76 states into which sales are made. Estonia 81 United Kingdom 110 Sweden 122 The time to comply varies between France 132 neighbouring economies as well as Netherlands 134 around the world. The time to comply for Denmark 135 economies in the European Union is set Cyprus 149 RXW LQ JXUH  ,Q WKLV UHJLRQ LW WDNHV Belgium 156 222 hours on average, with 42 hours Austria 170 for corporate income tax, 108 hours for Lithuania 175 labour taxes and 72 hours for VAT. The Spain 197 results for compliance time range from Germany 215 59 hours in Luxembourg to 616 hours Romania 222 LQb%XOJDULD Greece 224 Finland 243 Slovak Republic 257 Labour taxes and social contributions Slovenia 260 are the most time-consuming burden in Hungary 277 the European Union. Although the time Italy 285 needed for labour taxes has reduced by Latvia 293 YH KRXUV IURP ODVW \HDU LW LV VWLOO DERYH Portugal 298 the world average time by six hours. In Poland 325 the economies with the highest time Czech Republic 557 needed for labour taxes, there tends Bulgaria 616 to be multiple labour taxes and social EU average 222 World average 282 contributions to comply with. The seven Corporate income tax time Labour tax time Consumption tax time economies which take the most time (Hungary: 146 hours, Portugal: 162 Note: The chart shows the hours to comply for the economies in the EU split by type of tax compared to the EU and hours, Latvia: 165 hours, Finland: 200 world average. Source: PwC analysis hours, Italy: 214 hours, Czech Republic: 262 hours, and Bulgaria: 288 hours) have on average twice as many labour taxes as the economies which take the least time (Luxembourg: 14 hours, Estonia: 34 hours, Sweden: 36 hours, Ireland: 36 hours, Belgium: 40 hours, UK: 45 hours, and Greece: 48 hours). Paying Taxes 2011 39 Comment: VAT compliance In summary, the results show that: The impact of VAT On average it takes the case study compliance on business company longer to comply with VAT than it does to comply with corporate income tax. The time needed to comply varies considerably around the world even between neighbouring countries. VAT compliance tends to take less time in countries where the tax is administered by the same tax authority as the one which deals with corporate income tax (see JXUHb  On average it takes less time to Value Added Tax (VAT) is now the comply where companies use online most common form of consumption tax OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW IRU 9$7 system used around the world. However, The frequency and length of VAT while the principles of VAT are similar returns impacts the time it takes everywhere, the compliance burden WRbFRPSO\ on business varies considerably. This The requirement to submit invoices is evident in the results of the Paying or other documentation with the 7D[HVbVWXGLHV return adds to compliance time (see JXUH   PwC has recently undertaken some further research to look in more detail at Our research shows that different the differences in the time required for administrative practices and the way VAT compliance in different countries, in which VAT is implemented are key and to go some way to understanding reasons for the wide range in hours what drives this. In addition to data that it takes our case study company collected as part of the Paying Taxes to comply with VAT requirements. 2010 study, further data was collected Streamlining the compliance burden from 30 of the 145 economies in the and reducing the time needed to study which had a VAT or similar value comply is important for VAT systems to added consumption tax system. These ZRUNbHI FLHQWO\ economies were representative across the range of results for the time required for VAT compliance activities. The results of the research are available at www.pwc.co.uk/pdf/PwC_VAT_ Compliance_survey_2010.pdf 40 Paying Taxes 2011 The time needed varies by region European Union 73 Middle East 83 Asia Pacific 123 Global Average 125 Central Asia & Eastern Europe 130 Africa 135 Latin America & Caribbean 192 Average hours to comply 0 50 100 150 200 Note: Chart shows the average time needed to comply with VAT for economies in each economic/geographic region and the world average for all economies with a VAT. Source: Paying Taxes 2010, PwC analysis The frequency at which VAT returns are The more extensive/long the tax returns, the required impacts the time to comply more time is needed Monthly 0-20 boxes 125 6 (23 economies) (12 economies) Bi-monthly/Quarterly Over 20 boxes 81 13 (7 economies) (16 economies) Note: Chart shows the average time needed to comply Note: Chart shows the average time to comply per return for in economies in the sample group depending on whether economies in the sample, depending on the number of boxes VAT returns are required to be made monthly, bi-monthly in the return which need to be completed. or quarterly. Source: Paying Taxes 2010, PwC analysis Source: Paying Taxes 2010, PwC analysis It takes less time on average in countries where business uses online ï¬?ling and payment Yes (16 economies) 95 No (14 economies) 136 Note: Chart compares the average time to comply with VAT for economies in the sample group where business of the size and nature of the case study company ï¬?le and pay VAT online. Source: Paying Taxes 2010, PwC analysis Paying Taxes 2011 41 Figure 2.33 Figure 2.33 compares the time needed Time to comply with labour taxes in Hungary and the UK compared to the EU average to comply with seven labour taxes and social contributions in Hungary with the EU 60 24 24 108 single social contribution in the UK, and Hungary 80 42 24 146 also with the European Union. It takes considerably longer in Hungary across UK 17 27 1 45 all areas of compliance activities. Prepare File Pay Figure 2.34 shows that the number of Note: The chart compares the time to comply with labour taxes in Hungary and the UK compared to the EU average. Source: PwC analysis hours to comply ranges widely in the African Union from 76 hours in the Seychelles to 938 hours in Nigeria. In Figure 2.34 Nigeria, it takes our company 938 hours Number of hours to comply across the African Union or 23 weeks of work (40 hours a week) to comply with its tax affairs. 398 hours Seychelles 76 are needed on corporate income tax, 378 Djibouti 90 hours on labour taxes and 162 hours on Comoros 100 consumption taxes. Only in Vietnam, Swaziland 104 Zambia 132 Bolivia, and Brazil does the company Tunisia 144 need more hours to comply. Rwanda 148 Botswana 152 In the African Union, the average time Malawi 157 to comply of 313 hours is 31 hours above Liberia 158 Mauritius 161 the world average, largely due to more Uganda 161 time being needed on consumption Tanzania 172 taxes (on average 135 compared to Sudan 180 109 hours). Twenty-seven economies Cape Verde 186 in Africa need more time than the Ethiopia 198 South Africa 200 global average to comply with their Madagascar 201 consumption taxes. The economies Guinea-Bissau 208 where the most time is needed are Burundi 211 Mauritania (480 hours), Senegal (450 Eritrea 216 hours), Cameroon (300 hours), Namibia Ghana 224 Mozambique 230 (288 hours) and Kenya (276 hours). All Zimbabwe 242 these economies have VAT. Figure 2.35 Benin 270 shows that the compliance activities Burkina Faso 270 WR SUHSDUH WKH WD[ JXUHV WDNH XS WKH Côte d'Ivoire 270 PRVWbWLPH Mali 270 Niger 270 Togo 270 Latin America and the Caribbean is the Angola 282 region where it takes the longest time to Lesotho 324 comply. Looking at just the continental Congo, Dem. Rep. 336 HFRQRPLHV RI 6RXWK $PHULFD LQ JXUH Sierra Leone 357 Namibia 375 2.36, it takes on average 641 hours (or Gambia, The 376 16 weeks). This is by far the highest Kenya 393 time for any region. Ten of the twelve Guinea 416 economies are above the world average São Tomé and Principe 424 of 282 hours. In four economies, more Egypt, Arab Rep. 433 Algeria 451 than 600 hours are needed. In Brazil, it Gabon 488 takes the longest time in the world. Equatorial Guinea 492 Central African Republic 504 Congo, Rep. 606 Cameroon 654 Senegal 666 Mauritania 696 Chad 732 Nigeria 938 World average: 282 African Union average: 313 Corporate income tax time Labour tax time Consumption tax time Note: The chart shows the hours to comply for the economies in the AU split by type of tax compared to the AU and world average. Source: PwC analysis 42 Paying Taxes 2011 Figure 2.35 Figure 2.37 shows a breakdown of hours Time to comply with VAT in selected African economies compared to the world average in Venezuela compared to the world average. In Venezuela, it takes two-thirds World 109 more time to comply with corporate Kenya 276 income tax than the world average, and Namibia 288 three and a half times as long for both labour taxes and consumption tax. The Cameroon 300 requirement to keep mandatory books Senegal 450 solely for tax adds to the time needed. In Venezuela, 348 hours out of the Mauritania 480 total of 864 are taken in preparing and Prepare File Pay maintaining tax books (40% of the total Note: The chart compares the time to comply with consumption taxes in selected African economies split by type and time). Figure 2.38 shows the average compliance activity compared to the world average for consumption tax systems. Source: PwC analysis time across all economies reduces by 89 hours, or 11 days, when no extra books and records are required just for tax. Figure 2.36 Hours to comply in South American economies $V VKRZQ LQ JXUH  LW WDNHV OHVV WLPH Suriname 199 to comply in high-income economies (with an average time of 172 hours) Colombia 208 than in other less wealthy economies. Guyana 288 This applies across all three types of Paraguay 311 taxes. The difference isn’t a result of having fewer taxes to comply with Chile 316 (the average number of taxes is 9.3 Uruguay 336 for high-income countries and 10 for Peru 380 low-income countries). Instead, this is a UH HFWLRQ RI PRUH PDWXUH WD[ V\VWHPV D Argentina 453 lighter administrative touch, and more Ecuador 654 use of the electronic interface between Venezuela, R.B. 864 taxpayers and tax authorities in the high- income economies. The highest time Bolivia 1,080 needed to comply is in low-income and Brazil 2,600 lower middle-income economies. World average 282 South America average 641 Corporate income tax time Labour tax time Consumption tax time Note: The chart shows the hours to comply for the economies in South America, split by type of tax compared to the South America and world average Source: PwC analysis Figure 2.37 Figure 2.38 Comparison of hours to comply in Venezuela The requirement to keep mandatory books solely with the world average for tax purposes adds to the time to comply World Are mandatory books required? Type of tax average Venezuela Yes 308 Corporate income tax time 71 120 No 219 Labour tax time 102 360 Consumption tax time 109 384 Average time to comply Total 282 864 Note: The chart shows that the time needed to comply is Note: The table compares the time to comply in Venezuela to much higher if mandatory books are required solely for tax the world average. purposes. Source: Doing Business database Source: PwC analysis Figure 2.39 Hours to comply by income level High-income 172 Upper middle-income 272 Low-income 295 Lower middle-income 359 Corporate income tax time Labour tax time Consumption tax time Note: The chart shows the average hours to comply by income level using the World Bank Group Development indicators, split by type of tax. Source: Doing Business database Paying Taxes 2011 43 Comment: Tax administration Contributors were asked to express a The impact of tax view on: “How simple or complicated are the tax rules in your country?â€? 41% administration on of economies responded that the rules are ‘very simple’ or ‘simple’ and 44% that they are ‘complex’ or ‘very complex’ business (15% of economies did not answer). Correlating these results to the hours needed for compliance activities shows that compliance time rises by 40% on average where tax rules are complex. Contributors were also asked whether different taxes levied on the company were administered by the same or separate tax authorities. 80% of the The Paying Taxes results measure both economies responding said that indirect the cost of taxes and the compliance taxes are administered by the same tax burden for business. The indicator authority as corporate income tax - so does not however cover all aspects this seems to be a best practice. Figure of tax administration and how, for 2.31 shows that the average time to example, the different approaches of tax comply rises by 31% in the economies authorities can impact business. Over the where there is a separate authority last three years, a list of supplementary for indirect taxes. Conversely, 75% (non-indicator) questions has been of economies said that social security developed, with the help of interested contributions are administered by a parties, and added to the Paying Taxes separate tax authority. In this case, the questionnaire. The responses are used average compliance time is also longer to provide further insights into tax by 30%. administration. The tax authority requirement to keep mandatory books solely for tax, or It takes longer to comply where tax rules are complex to submit additional documentation with tax returns, also adds to the Simple tax rules 249 compliance burden. Figure 2.38 shows that mandatory books increase the Complex tax rules 346 average compliance time by 41%. Figure Average hours to comply 2.31 shows that it takes 70% more time Note: The chart compares the time to comply in economies to comply when invoices have to be where contributors consider tax rules are (1) simple and very simple and (2) complex and very complex. submitted with VAT returns. Source: PwC analysis of non-indicator data Contributors around the world are asked to give their views on a number of additional aspects of tax administration such as: the clarity of the tax rules and helpfulness of guidance notes issued; how long is it likely to take to receive a WD[ UHIXQG DQG KRZ HDV\ RU GLI FXOW LW is to deal with a tax audit. Last year, a selection of results from PwC’s analysis was included in the Paying Taxes 2010 study. This year, our intention is to publish the results separately in 2011. However, we include here a small preview of our analysis. 44 Paying Taxes 2011 How long is it likely to take in practice for a company to receive a refund OECD European Union World average Asia Pacific Latin America & Caribbean African Union 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Less than one month 1 to 3 months 3 to 6 months 6 to 12 months More than one year No data supplied Note: Results for all economies in the study and for selected regions Source: PwC analysis of non-indicator data The approach of the tax authorities An independent and effective appeal In your opinion, how easy is it for a company is an area that concerns contributors process is clearly an important aspect to deal with a tax audit in your country? around the world. In 102 economies of good tax administration from the (67% of those responding) contributors taxpayer’s perspective. Contributors in said that this is an area of their tax 7% of the economies said there is no Very easy (2%) system that needs to be improved. As independent body to which a taxpayer Easy (21%) RQH PHDVXUH RI WKH HI FLHQF\ RI WD[ can appeal against a tax authority’s Difficult (45%) authorities, we also asked: “In a typical decision, and 12% did not answer this Very difficult (16%) situation, how long is it likely to take in question. And in the economies where No data supplied (16%) practice for a company to receive a VAT there is an independent process, it or withholding tax refund?â€? The results LV RIWHQ FRQVLGHUHG WR EH LQHI FLHQW show that it takes the least time in the In economies where the process is Note: Results for all economies in the study large, developed economies, with 83% FRQVLGHUHG WR EH HI FLHQW WD[ DXGLWV DUH Source: PwC analysis of non-indicator data of OECD economies responding that easier. 48% of contributors in economies it would typically take three months where the independent appeal process or less. It takes longest in the less LV HI FLHQW VDLG GHDOLQJ ZLWK D WD[ DXGLW In your opinion, how efï¬?cient is the independent appeal process in your country? developed economies of Latin America was ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’, compared & Caribbean and the African Union. to only 15% in economies where the 24% of economies responding in Latin independent process is considered to America and the Caribbean, and 32% in EHbLQHI FLHQW Very efficient (5%) the African Union, said it would typically Efficient (30%) take more than a year. In economies The data provided in response to the Inefficient (48%) where it takes longer to receive a list of supplementary (non-indicator) Very inefficient (17%) refund, it also tends to take longer questions is not used to calculate the IRU FRPSOLDQFH DFWLYLWLHV VHH JXUH results for Paying Taxes. But we suggest 2.29 - comparison of hours to comply that it can be used to provide additional E\bUHJLRQ  insights into tax systems and tax Note: Results for economies in the study reporting an independent appeal process administration, and can potentially help Source: PwC analysis of non-indicator data Dealing with tax audits and disputes governments as they review their own is the area of their tax system that systems and prioritise areas for reform. contributors around the world most Analysis of the supplementary data is want to improve. A tax audit can be the ongoing and will be published in 2011. PRVW GLI FXOW LQWHUDFWLRQ WKDW D EXVLQHVV has with the tax authorities and 120 economies (79% of those responding) said this area of their tax system needs improvement. 61% of all the economies in the study said that, in their opinion, dealing with a tax audit in their country ZDV GLI FXOW RU YHU\ GLI FXOW  Paying Taxes 2011 45 The number of payments Figure 2.40 The number of payments measures The number of payments calculation for Peru the number of times the case study World Bank Actual company has to pay taxes in the year Indicator payments Notes and how it makes these payments. It Corporate income tax 1 13 Online includes all taxes, whether these are Net assets tax (ITAN) 0 1 Paid jointly levied on the company, or like VAT, are Social security contributions 1 12 Online administered by it. It provides a measure Industrial corporations contribution 1 12 Online of the number of taxes which must be Value Added Tax 1 12 Online complied with. It also takes into account Financial transactions tax 1 1 Embedded payment the method of payment and the use of Real estate tax 1 1 Annual payment HOHFWURQLF OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW :KHUH WKH Vehicle tax 1 1 Annual payment majority of businesses, like TaxpayerCo, Arbitrios 1 1 Annual payment OH DQG SD\ WKHLU WD[HV RQOLQH LQ Fuel tax 1 On each refuelling Embedded payment an economy, the number of actual Total 9 54 SD\PHQWV LV UHGXFHG WR RQH WR UH HFW Note: The table shows an example of the calculation of the number of payments for Peru WKH HI FLHQFLHV RI JRLQJ HOHFWURQLF $OVR Source: Doing Business database where taxes are paid through a third party, such as fuel tax paid to the fuel distributor, the number of payments $V VKRZQ LQ JXUH  WKH DYHUDJH Figure 2.41 LV WDNHQ DV RQH WR UH HFW WKH ODFN RI number of payments for all economies The number of payments for Peru compliance burden. LQ WKH VWXG\ LV    IRU SUR W taxes, 12.1 for labour taxes and social As an example of the number of contributions, and 14.1 for other taxes. SD\PHQWV JXUH  VKRZV WKH Figure 2.43 shows the distribution of Profit tax (1) calculation for Peru. TaxpayerCo makes the results for the number of payments Labour tax (2) monthly payments of corporate income across all 183 economies. There is a VAT (1) tax, social security contributions, lesser concentration of results than for industrial corporations’ contribution, the other two sub-indicators, but a good Other taxes (5) and VAT. However, these are all reduced proportion of economies fall within to one payment per tax in the indicator the range of 6 to 35 payments (116 WR UH HFW WKH VWDWXV RI RQOLQH OLQJ DQG economies or two-thirds of the total). Six Note: The chart shows the number of payments for Peru split by type of tax payment in Peru. The remaining taxes economies have fewer than six payments Source: Doing Business database are either paid annually (for example, and 61 economies have more than 35. real estate tax), paid jointly (net assets Figure 2.44 compares the distribution tax with corporation income tax) so of results with those in Paying Taxes Figure 2.42 that no separate payment is required, or 2006 and shows the downward trend. The number of payments for Peru compared are embedded in a payment to a third In Paying Taxes 2006, the global average to Latin America and the Caribbean and world average party (fuel tax). Our company makes number was 33.8 payments. Five years 54 actual tax payments in the year, but ago, only 97 economies were in the Latin America 4.3 13.2 15.7 33.2 this is reduced to nine for the number of range of 6 to 35 payments. & Caribbean payments indicator. World 3.7 12.1 14.1 29.9 Figure 2.45 lists the economies at the Peru 12 6 9 lower end of the results (with less than YH SD\PHQWV DQG WKH KLJKHU HQG ‘the results for Peru (with more than 70 payments). These Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes are favourably affected provide useful examples of the impact Note: The chart compares the number of payments for Peru with the Latin America and the Caribbean and world average. Source: PwC analysis on the results for this indicator of both by the status of online the number of taxes levied, and the OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW HI FLHQFLHV RI RQOLQH OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW Figure 2.41 shows the number of payments for Peru by type of tax. Figure 2.42 compares the result for Peru with that for other economies in Latin America and the Caribbean and the world average. It shows how the results for Peru are favourably affected by the VWDWXV RI RQOLQH OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW 46 Paying Taxes 2011 Figure 2.43 As previously mentioned, Sweden Distribution of the number of payments results – follows best practice and levies just one In 116 economies there are between 6 and 35 payments. WD[ SHU EDVH )RXU RI WKH YH WD[HV DUH 30 MRLQWO\ OHG DQG SDLG RQOLQH UHVXOWLQJ 25 in just two payments for the number of 20 payments result - the lowest in the world. 15 Norway follows a similar approach with 10 just four taxes (corporate income tax, 5 social security contributions, VAT and 0 fuel tax) and four payments. Maldives 0−5 6−10 11−15 16−20 21−25 26−30 31−35 36−40 41−45 46−50 51−55 56−60 61−65 66−70 71−75 76−80 81−85 86−90 91−95 96−100 >100 and Qatar have few taxes and therefore Number of payments few payments, and Hong Kong does not Note: The chart shows the distribution of results number of payments levy a consumption tax on TaxpayerCo. Source: PwC analysis In contrast, economies at the higher end of the results levy numerous taxes (12.6 Figure 2.44 RQ DYHUDJH  $QG HOHFWURQLF OLQJ DQG The trend in results for the number of payments since the ï¬?rst study – payment is either not available or not In Paying Taxes 2006, only 97 economies were in the range 6 to 35 payments widely used. For example, in Romania, 30 the company pays 17 different taxes 25 which is well above both the world (9) 20 and European Union (11) averages. 15 The company makes monthly payments 10 for VAT and for each of seven different 5 labour taxes. It also makes quarterly 0 payments for corporate income tax 0−5 6−10 11−15 16−20 21−25 26−30 31−35 36−40 41−45 46−50 51−55 56−60 61−65 66−70 71−75 76−80 81−85 86−90 91−95 96−100 >100 and 13 other payments across eight Number of payments 2011 Number of payments 2006 other taxes. There is no reduction in Note: The chart shows the distribution of results for the number of payments in Paying Taxes 2011 compared to in Paying Taxes 2006. the actual number of payments as Source: PwC analysis there is no electronic interface with the tax authorities. Regular payment of (therefore smaller amounts of) taxes Figure 2.45 FDQ SURYLGH UHDO FDVK RZ EHQH WV List of low and high number of payments economies by region to businesses like TaxpayerCo and Low number of payments High number of payments also assist government revenues. But Region Economy Payments Region Economy Payments multiple taxes per base are an additional Asia Paciï¬?c Hong Kong, China 3 Central Asia Montenegro 77 compliance burden. Electronic interface Maldives 3 & Eastern Europe Belarus 82 FDQ SURYLGH UHDO EHQH WV WR ERWK EXVLQHVV Europe Norway 4 Ukraine 135 DQGbJRYHUQPHQW EU Sweden 2 EU Romania 113 Middle East Qatar 3 Latin America Jamaica 72 Figure 2.46 shows the average number & Caribbean of payments by regional grouping. The lowest average number of payments is Note: The chart lists economies with a low number of payments (less than ï¬?ve) and a high number of payments (greater than 70) found in the OECD economies (13.2), Source: Doing Business database G20 economies (15.4) and the EU (17.5), while Latin America and the Caribbean (33.2), the African Union (36.2) and Figure 2.46 Central Asia and Eastern Europe (45.3), Comparison of number of payments by region all have results above the world average. OECD 13.2 G20 15.4 European Union 17.5 Asia Pacific 24.6 World Average 29.9 Latin America & Caribbean 33.2 African Union 36.2 Central Asia & Eastern Europe 45.3 Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes Note: The chart shows the average result for the economies in each region and the world average for all economies in the study. Source: PwC analysis Paying Taxes 2011 47 Figure 2.47 The number of payments in the Latin America and Caribbean region Mexico 6 Ecuador 8 Argentina 9 Chile 9 Dominican Republic 9 Peru 9 Brazil 10 Puerto Rico 16 Suriname 17 Bahamas, The 18 Colombia 20 Guatemala 24 St. Kitts and Nevis 24 Grenada 30 St. Lucia 32 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 32 Guyana 34 Paraguay 35 Dominica 38 Belize 40 Trinidad and Tobago 40 Bolivia 42 Costa Rica 42 Haiti 42 Honduras 47 El Salvador 53 Uruguay 53 Antigua and Barbuda 56 Panama 62 Nicaragua 64 Venezuela, R.B. 70 Jamaica 72 World average: 29.9 Latin America & Caribbean average: 33.2 Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes Note: The chart shows the number of payments for economies in Latin America and Caribbean compared to the regional and world average. Source: PwC analysis $ FRPSDULVRQ RI JXUH  WKH DYHUDJH The results for the number of payments QXPEHU RI WD[HV E\ UHJLRQ DQG JXUH also vary within a region, driven by the ‘the reason why the 2.46 (the average number of payments number of taxes levied and online status. larger, or more developed by region) shows clearly that the reason Figure 2.47 shows the range of results why the larger, or more developed in Latin America and the Caribbean. At economies, have economies, have fewer payments is not 33.2 payments, the regional result is fewer payments is not that they have fewer taxes. The G20, slightly above the world average, but the OECD and European Union all have an results range from 6 payments in Mexico that they have fewer average number of taxes above the world to 72 in Jamaica. Peru and Jamaica taxes, but that they average, while Latin America and the provide a good example. In Peru, the Caribbean, and Central Asia and Eastern company pays nine taxes, as shown in are more advanced in Europe are below this. The reason is JXUH  EXW WKH QXPEHU RI SD\PHQWV WHUPV RI RQOLQH OLQJ that the larger and more developed is reduced from the actual number of economies are more advanced in terms 53 to 9 for the sub-indicator. In Jamaica DQGbSD\PHQW RI RQOLQH OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW ,Q WKH the company pays 14 different taxes and European Union, for example, only three there is no reduction in the number of economies do not have reduced results actual payments made of 72. There has across all the main taxes due to online EHHQ QR FKDQJH WR WKH JXUHV LQ -DPDLFD OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW in the six years of the study. Both Peru and Jamaica show how taxes other than the main three types (corporate income tax, labour taxes, VAT) add to the results. In Peru there are six other WD[HV UHTXLULQJ YH SD\PHQWV $QG in Jamaica, nine other taxes require 20 payments. Figure 2.48 shows the number of payments for Jamaica by tax. 48 Paying Taxes 2011 The world average number of payments Figure 2.48 Figure 2.49 for all economies in the study has fallen The number of payments for Jamaica by tax The trend in number of payments for Central by 0.6 in the last year. The region that Asia and Eastern Europe has seen the biggest change in the Corporate income tax (4) Education Tax (12) 2011 7.2 18.2 19.9 45.3 last year is Central Asia and Eastern Value added tax Europe where the average number has (VAT) (12) 2010 8.0 17.5 24.0 49.5 fallen by 4.2. This has been driven by a National Housing Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes reduction in payments of other taxes. Trust (12) Note: The chart compares the average number of payments Figure 2.49 compares the average for the Central Asia and Eastern Europe region between Paying Taxes 2010 and Paying Taxes 2011. number of payments in this region for Source: PwC analysis WKH ODVW WZR \HDUV 6LJQL FDQW UHGXFWLRQV have been made in Belarus, the Kyrgyz Social security Payroll tax − contribution − HEART (12) Republic and Montenegro. In Belarus, National Insurance Figure 2.50 (12) the number of payments fell as the Number of payments by income level frequency of payment reduced from monthly to quarterly for several taxes, High-income 14.5 including property tax, ecological tax Other (8) Upper middle- 30.8 and the transport duty. Also, electronic Income Vehicle tax (2) Lower middle- 34.7 systems became more widely used in Annual return filing fee (1) Income Belarus for VAT, corporate income tax Asset tax (1) Low-income 37.9 Fuel tax (1) and labour taxes. In the Kyrgyz Republic, Property tax (1) Profit taxes Labour taxes Other taxes the number of payments required for Property transfer tax (1) corporate income tax, property tax and Stamp duty (1) Note: The chart shows the average number of payments by income level, using the World Bank Development indicators, land tax were reduced. In Montenegro, split by type of tax. Note: The chart shows the number of payments for Jamaica Source: Doing Business database the elimination of construction land split by type of tax. tax and the requirements for advance Source: Doing Business database payments for corporate income tax reduced the number of payments. Figure 2.50 shows that the high-income countries tend to have the lowest number of payments, as well as the lowest time needed to comply, and the lowest tax cost. As already mentioned this does not result from a lower number of taxes, but from a more advanced VWDWXV RI RQOLQH OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW Low-income countries have the highest number of tax payments. Paying Taxes 2011 49 Chapter 2: PwC commentary What the results show Paying taxes getting easier One tax per base is best practice Statutory corporate income tax Paying taxes has got easier around the Some economies levy multiple taxes is not a good indicator of tax actually paid ZRUOG 2YHU WKH ODVW YH \HDUV WKH JOREDO per tax base and this can increase the average TTR has fallen by 5.9% (more compliance burden on business (the The statutory rate of corporate income than 1% each year), the time to comply time to comply and the number of tax is often not a good indicator of the by 47 hours (more than nine hours payments). Levying one tax per base is a rate of tax paid. We measure actual taxes each year) and the number of payments best practice, and 50 economies do this. paid, and provide examples of reductions E\bIRXU Having one tax per base does not affect in the rate paid due to generous the level of taxes raised. allowances, and increases where Most change in Central Asia and business expenses are not deductible. Eastern Europe Low TTRs are not necessarily a In the last year, the biggest change was good model Labour taxes highest % of TTR in in Central Asia and Eastern Europe The average TTR in Paying Taxes is the EU where the TTR dropped by 3.1%, the  RI FRPPHUFLDO SUR WV (FRQRPLHV Labour taxes and contributions levied time to comply by 16 hours, and the with lower TTRs are not necessarily on the employer are the highest QXPEHU RI SD\PHQWV E\ YH the better model. What is important SHUFHQWDJH RI FRPPHUFLDO SUR WV LQ WKH is that taxes are well spent to provide European Union. They make up the Corporate income tax only part of a stable business environment, good majority of the TTR in many European the burden infrastructure and better quality of life 8QLRQbHFRQRPLHV for citizens. Corporate income tax is only part of the burden of taxes on business. Around the Seven weeks to comply with the world, the company pays on average 9.4 TTR highest in the African Union three major taxes taxes. Corporate income tax accounts The African Union has the highest On average it takes 282 hours, or seven for just 12% of the tax payments made, average TTR, driven by costly cascading weeks of full-time work, to comply 25% of the compliance time, and 38% of VDOHV WD[HV LQ YH HFRQRPLHV ,Q WKH with the three main types of taxes. This WKHb775 African Union, corporate income has fallen by only four hours in the tax is also the highest percentage of last year, suggesting that the rate of FRPPHUFLDO SUR WV EXW HPSOR\HU WD[HV reform in this area has slowed around and social contributions are below the the world. We suggest that even more world average. focus needs to be given to reducing the FRPSOLDQFHbEXUGHQ 50 Paying Taxes 2011 Consumption taxes are the most Over 29 payments made on average Good tax administration is important time-consuming each year for business. Consumption taxes (mainly VAT) are The number of payments indicator The approach of the tax authorities the most time-consuming of the taxes, measures the number of times the and dealing with a tax audit or disputes and this can be heavily affected by tax company has to pay taxes in the year are the aspects of the tax system authorities’ administrative practices. Our and how it makes these payments. The that contributors around the world research shows that it takes more time to average number of payments around most want to improve. Contributors comply if indirect taxes are administered the world is 29.9. The number is lowest in economies where there is an by a different tax authority, and also if in the OECD economies (13.2) and LQGHSHQGHQW DQG HI FLHQW DSSHDO SURFHVV invoices have to be submitted with the highest in Central Europe and Eastern found dealing with audits and disputes VAT returns. (XURSHb   easier than those economies where this is not the case. Labour taxes most time-consuming One tax per base = fewer tax in the EU payments Lowest tax cost and compliance In the European Union, the most Economies which levy one tax per base burden in high-income economies time-consuming taxes are labour taxes have a fewer number of payments, while High-income economies have the and contributions, with compliance the economies with the most payments lowest average tax cost and the lowest time above the world average. This levy numerous taxes. FRPSOLDQFH EXUGHQ UH HFWLQJ PDWXUH includes the time needed to administer tax systems, a lighter administrative employee taxes through the payroll. Online ï¬?ling has positive effect on touch, and more use of electronic Many European Union economies have number of payments indicator interface between taxpayers and tax multiple labour taxes and this can authorities. Low-income economies Economies which have delivered the increase the time to comply. have higher taxes on average and more HI FLHQF\ JDLQV RI RQOLQH OLQJ DQG burdensome compliance procedures. It is payment of taxes, for government Longest compliance time in important to look to good practices and and business, also do well on the South America models to help increase tax compliance number of payments indicator. In these and collection in developing economies. It takes the longest time to comply circumstances, the number of actual on average in the South American payments is reduced to one per tax. economies. All the taxes are more time- consuming, and this is often increased by the need to keep additional books solely for tax purposes. Paying Taxes 2011 51 Chapter 3: Using the Paying Taxes data around the world Using the Paying Taxes data around the world Australia 52 Malaysia 62 Brazil 53 The Netherlands 63 Canada 54 Nigeria 64 China 55 Poland 65 Côte d'Ivoire 56 Romania 66 Czech Republic 57 Singapore 67 The GCC countries 58 South Africa 68 Ghana 59 Switzerland 69 India 60 United Kingdom 70 Republic of Korea 61 Zambia 71 52 Paying Taxes 2011 Australia 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 47.9% 52.8% Number of hours 109 107 Number of payments 11 13 Reform to meet The Paying Taxes studies have reinforced Interestingly, there was a long and these concerns about the complexity heated debate in the lead up to the challenges of the of Australia’s tax system, and the the August federal election over 21st century importance of tax reform. Australia’s proposals for a new resource tax. ranking in the Paying Taxes studies has The original proposal was highly gradually slipped over recent years, as criticised by industry, as well as by other countries have reduced tax rates many commentators. This debate also and improved or addressed complexity highlighted the divergent views between in their own systems. In other words, government and the industry with Australia has been going backwards in regards to the current amount of tax paid Tim Cox, PwC Australia terms of global competitiveness. by the mining industry. This reinforced Both government and business the importance of having transparent understand the problems with The 138 recommendations from and objective measures to evaluate the Australia’s taxation system and the the AFTS review included proposals impact of the tax system on business. importance of major tax reform. In May to rationalise the 125 taxes to four 2008, the federal government initiated a HI FLHQW EURDGEDVHG WD[HV SHUVRQDO review of Australia’s Future Tax System income, business income, rents on (AFTS). The purpose of this review was natural resources and land, and private to consider all aspects of the tax system, consumption). Other taxes should exist other than Goods and Services Tax. only to improve social outcomes or The review team was given 18 months PDUNHW HI FLHQF\ 2YHU WLPH RWKHU WD[HV to report to government which it did would be abolished. in December 2009. The government released the AFTS report in May 2010. The AFTS review recognised the increasing uncompetitiveness of The review made 138 recommendations Australia’s corporate income tax rate and which were designed to develop a tax recommended it be reduced from 30% system which would better position to 25%. Australia to deal with the challenges of the 21st century. The review’s It is clear that the kind of tax reform recommendations focused on changes needed in Australia will take many years that would make Australia’s tax system to achieve. As yet, very few of the 138 more competitive internationally, reduce recommendations have been endorsed its complexity, and enhance its equity by the government, with many already and fairness. At the outset of the review, rejected. There are proposals to reduce  WD[HV ZHUH LGHQWL HG LQ $XVWUDOLD  the company tax rate to 29% from 2015, over half of which impact business. Yet ZKLFK LV WR EH IXQGHG E\ D VLJQL FDQW 90% of revenue is raised by only ten new tax on the resources sector. So RI WKHVH WD[HV 7KLV KHDGOLQH QGLQJ far, there is no commitment to remove was consistent with PwC Australia’s any of the existing taxes in Australia. study of the Australian tax system All sectors of the community recognise using the PwC Total Tax Contribution that hard decisions will be necessary (TTC) framework. Released in 2007, to broadly execute the AFTS review WKLV VWXG\ ZDV WKH UVW WR KLJKOLJKW WKH recommendations. impact of the tax system on Australia’s ODUJHVW EXVLQHVVHV 7KH VWXG\ LGHQWL HG that 55 taxes are levied on business by federal and state governments. It also KLJKOLJKWHG WKH VWUXFWXUDO LQHI FLHQF\ RI Australia’s tax system and the obstacle that this presents to economic growth. Paying Taxes 2011 53 Brazil 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 69.0% 68.8% Number of hours 2,600 2,600 Number of payments 10 10 Recognising a need It is hoped that the new Public System of 2010 is an election year in Brazil. Digital Bookkeeping (Sistema Público de However, despite tax reform being on for change Escrituração Digital or ‘SPED’) may lead their agenda, politicians are yet to focus to improvements for Brazil. Once fully on this as a key priority. In addition implemented and integrated by the tax to the results from the Paying Taxes administrations, the expectation is that VWXG\ WKHUH DUH PDQ\ RWKHU LQ XHQWLDO fewer communications to government institutions that are pointing to the need will be required which may result in IRU UHIRUP DQG D VLPSOL HG WD[ SURFHVV Carlos Iacia, PwC Brazil a reduction in compliance time. The with a particular focus on addressing system will be controlled automatically, complex VAT issues between the states The Brazilian economy is currently HOLPLQDWH VLJQL FDQW DPRXQWV RI of Brazil. The system currently requires facing a period of expansion, attracting paperwork, and reduce the time to exchange of information and division of a large volume of inward investment. comply with legislation changes, and tax income among the 26 states and the To fully embrace this opportunity, it is to check and audit information. The Federal District. This has for some time essential for the country to offer a legal, V\VWHP ZLOO FURVVFKHFN DOO LQIRUPDWLRQ EHHQ WKH VRXUFH RI VLJQL FDQW FRQ LFW regulatory and tax environment which and identify mistakes, rationalising between the states, often referred to is stable, clear and streamlined, and WKHbSURFHVV DV WKH VFDO ZDU  DQG KDV KLQGHUHG in which foreign investors can operate the reform and development of the ZLWKbHDVH The tax authorities are strongly WD[bV\VWHP committed to making the new system From a tax perspective, there is much mandatory for all companies, and Despite these issues, with the WR EH GRQH  DQG WKLV LV LOOXVWUDWHG E\ most large companies are already government’s introduction of SPED and WKH JXUHV SUHVHQWHG LQ WKH 3D\LQJ participating in it. Many tax obligations growing recognition within society more Taxes study. The tax burden for Brazil and procedures are already electronic generally that the tax system needs to is shown to be high, with a tax system for taxpayers, while others are still in the change, it appears that the initial steps composed of many confusing laws and transition process. WRZDUGV WD[ UHIRUP KDYH EHHQbWDNHQ rules issued by the federal, state and municipal tax authorities. These result +RZHYHU WKH EHQH WV RI 63(' IRU WKH in taxpayers spending a large amount of taxpayer have yet to be seen as the WLPH WU\LQJ WR NHHS XSWRGDWH ZLWK WKH transition to this new system is likely to system in order to be able to perform the last for a couple of years. So far, SPED calculations, then prepare and send the has required additional effort and cost information to the tax authorities, and from companies who have needed to pay their taxes. LQYHVW VLJQL FDQWO\ WR SUHSDUH WKHLU VWDII for the change, and to implement new The Paying Taxes study highlights that systems to comply with all the processes. %UD]LO KDV D GLI FXOW WD[ V\VWHP ZKHQ compared to other economies around the world. It has shown this same picture in each of the six years that it has been carried out. This has resulted in regular commentary in the Brazilian media, and recognition from the Brazilian tax authorities that there is a need IRUbFKDQJH 54 Paying Taxes 2011 Canada 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 29.2% 49.1% Number of hours 131 119 Number of payments 8 9 Reducing the tax In addition, effective 1 July 2010, a The federal government remains focused burden to stimulate Harmonised Sales Tax, based on the on improving the competitiveness, same rules as the federal Goods and HI FLHQF\ DQG IDLUQHVV RI WKH growth and restore Services Tax, replaced the provincial Canadian international tax system FRQ GHQFH sales tax system in British Columbia and has implemented some of the and in Ontario. Given their effective recommendations made by the dates, the compliance savings of Advisory Panel on Canada’s System of these initiatives will not have been International Taxation. It has indicated fully captured in the current Paying that it will continue to review the 7D[HVbVWXG\ other recommendations made by the $GYLVRU\b3DQHO Saul Plener, PwC Canada Additional initiatives were also undertaken in 2010. Starting from the These initiatives are aimed at stimulating Federal and provincial business taxes in 2010 taxation year, certain companies economic growth, and restoring Canada have been substantially reduced with annual gross revenues exceeding FRQ GHQFH IROORZLQJ WKH JOREDO recently to an historical low of 29.2%.  PLOOLRQ DUH UHTXLUHG WR OH WKHLU economic recession. The Canadian This is largely due to enhancements corporate income tax returns online. In government is aware that it must stay in the annual capital allowance its 2010 budget, the federal government the course in reducing corporate tax cost allowance (CCA) deduction for eliminated tax on the disposal of certain rates and easing administrative burden investments in eligible manufacturing types of taxable Canadian property for Canadian taxpayers to remain and processing machinery and E\ QRQUHVLGHQWV DQG WKH UHODWHG internationally competitive. equipment and in computers. As a result, section 116 reporting. This measure Canada is the only G20 economy in the should also help Canadian businesses top ten list for the ease of paying taxes. to attract foreign venture capital and Further changes have been legislated investment. However, the federal and by 2012, Canada will have one of the government proposed a new reporting lowest statutory combined federal and regime for aggressive tax avoidance provincial corporate income tax rates in transactions and increased reporting the G7 group of industrialised nations IRU WUDQVDFWLRQV ZLWK QRQDUP V OHQJWK DWb  QRQUHVLGHQWV 7KHVH PHDVXUHV ZLOO increase the administrative burden for Although the time to comply has &DQDGLDQbWD[SD\HUV increased to 131 hours from 119 in 2006, there are ongoing efforts to reduce The federal government also announced compliance costs and make the tax that it intends to look at introducing a V\VWHP PRUH HI FLHQW WKURXJK LQLWLDWLYHV system of loss transfers or consolidated such as increased harmonisation of reporting for corporate groups. federal and provincial income and sales Among other things, this would allow taxes. For example, in 2009, the federal Canadian companies to avoid having to government began to administer the undertake complex reorganisations and province of Ontario’s corporate income transactions to transfer tax losses among tax system. As a result, businesses are related companies. Currently, Canada is now able to combine tax payments the only country within the G7 with no DQG OH D VLQJOH FRUSRUDWH WD[ UHWXUQ form of tax consolidation regime. Paying Taxes 2011 55 Côte d’Ivoire 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 44.4% 48.4% Number of hours 270 270 Number of payments 64 66 Reducing the it has devoted its energy to broadening be automatically refunded. The ongoing the tax base, in order to bring as many of QRQUHLPEXUVHPHQW RI 9$7 FUHGLWV informal economy the people operating illegally as possible FXUUHQWO\ UHSUHVHQWV D VLJQL FDQW VFDO without increasing into the formal tax net. The introduction expense. The employers’ federation has the burden for the of a standard invoice, and numerous had some success in its efforts to resolve requirements for businesses to make this issue, resulting in the introduction businesses that do tax deductions at source on income RI DQ LQLWLDWLYH LQ WKH  VFDO EXGJHW pay tax paid to third parties, are key measures to exempt some agricultural export implemented by government to achieve businesses from VAT. However, this this goal. But while the deduction measure does not deal with the overall of tax at source does not create problem of outstanding VAT credits additional tax expense for businesses which is still an issue for the broader in the formal sector, the introduction of business community. ‘declaratory obligations’ does increase Dominique Taty, PwC Côte D’Ivoire the administrative burden for these Simplifying the tax administrative companies in the management of taxes. V\VWHP DQG UHOLHYLQJ WKH VFDO SUHVVXUHV The Ivorian authorities and business 7KLV LV UH HFWHG LQ WKH WLPH WR FRPSO\ RI that fall on businesses in the formal ZRUOG UVW WRRN QRWLFH RI &RWH G ,YRLUH V 270 hours. It is clear that while reducing economy, remain major challenges for rankings in the Doing Business and tax evasion is the primary goal of the the tax authorities. At the same time, Paying Taxes 2010 publications during a JRYHUQPHQW WKH VLPSOL FDWLRQ RI WKHVH broadening the tax base and reducing business forum held in November 2009. measures to ease the burden on business the extent of the informal economy are The forum was organised under the remains a major issue which has still to still major priorities for government. It aegis of the Ministry of Economy and be addressed. The number of payments appears that the government currently Finance and the Ministry of Industry, indicator for Cote D’Ivoire in Paying feels that the best way to address the with support from the private sector. Taxes 2010 was 66, putting the country evasion issue is to solicit the help of Employers and the Ivorian Chamber among the ten countries with the highest business in the formal economy. But of Commerce also took part. The key number of payments in the study. A high this in turn is increasing the burden objective of the forum was to focus the number of taxes and a lack of electronic on these businesses. The absence of attention of government and business OLQJ DUH WKH NH\ UHDVRQV IRU WKLV 7KH improvement in the Paying Taxes on the need to improve the business number of payments has fallen by only indicators for Cote D’Ivoire illustrates environment, and to initiate innovative two payments to 64 in the 2011 report. this point and highlights the need reform. The Paying Taxes results for 7KHUH KDV QRW EHHQ DQ\ VLJQL FDQW to change this mindset. Increasing WKH &RWH G ,YRLUH DUH RI VLJQL FDQW abolition of taxes. awareness of the Paying Taxes results interest. But, although efforts are made among the Ivorian authorities is helping every year by the tax administration to Another major tax problem worth to draw attention to the need for urgent improve competitiveness for business, mentioning, which goes beyond the reform. PwC Cote D'Ivoire continues to major tax problems still persist. scenario captured by the Paying Taxes make representations on tax issues for The Total Tax Rate has fallen in Cote FDVH VWXG\ FRPSDQ\ LV WKH QRQ WKH DQQXDO VFDO EXGJHW LQ FRQMXQFWLRQ D’Ivoire, mainly because of a reduction reimbursement of VAT credits. It is with the Tax Commission of the in the corporate income tax rate and estimated that, by 31 December 2010, (PSOR\HUV b)HGHUDWLRQ the removal of the contribution for the amount in unpaid credits will stand ‘national rebuilding’. But the Ivorian DW RYHU 86  PLOOLRQ  DQG WKLV DW D tax administration is increasingly time when, in the current economic concerned by the extent of tax evasion climate, businesses have a considerable given the considerable growth of the need for cash. Under the Ivorian tax informal sector (i.e. undisclosed small system, VAT should not be an expense enterprises). Therefore, for several years, for businesses, and VAT credits should 56 Paying Taxes 2011 China 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 63.5% 80.0% Number of hours 398 872 Number of payments 7 35 Major changes 7KH VLJQL FDQW UHGXFWLRQ LQ KRXUV WR The reduction in the number of make paying taxes comply was largely due to the increased payments in China is also due to the XVH RI WKH HOHFWURQLF WD[ OLQJ DQG ZLGHU XVH RI WKH HOHFWURQLF WD[ OLQJ DQG much easier payment system in 2007. Over the payment system. past few years, China has made great efforts to expand and facilitate the use In addition to the above, China has been RI HOHFWURQLF OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW ,Q concentrating on developing the skills the past, taxpayers usually needed to RI WKH ORFDOOHYHO WD[ DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ PDNH VHSDUDWH YLVLWV WR WKH WD[ RI FH WR and tax collection teams. Nowadays, OH WD[HV DQG WKHQ WR WKH EDQN WR VHWWOH more and more taxpayers feel that Rex Chan, PwC China the tax payments. After this, taxpayers their queries can be easily dealt with by ZRXOG KDYH WR YLVLW WKH WD[ RI FH DJDLQ WKH WD[ RI FLDOV DQG WKDW WKH TXDOLW\ RI With improvements made to the to submit the tax payment receipt. The their interactions with them has greatly tax compliance system and the UHVXOW ZDV ORQJ TXHXHV DW WKH WD[ RI FH LPSURYHG 7KH ZHOONQRZQ WD[ KRWOLQH implementation of a series of tax and at the bank, which added a large ‘12366’ has become another important reforms, China has made remarkable amount of waiting time to the hours resource that taxpayers can use when progress in reducing the tax cost and included in the time to comply indicator. they have questions relating to daily tax the compliance cost for taxpayers over Following the introduction of the compliance issues in China. the past few years. The Paying Taxes HOHFWURQLF WD[ OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW V\VWHP results illustrate this progress, showing the taxpayer now only has to visit the a trend of paying taxes becoming easier WD[ RI FH RQFH WR VXEPLW WKH QDO WD[ for the case study company in China. OLQJbGRFXPHQWV Improvements have been made in all three areas measured in the study. Another contributing factor to the reduction in hours was the recent tax The fall in China’s Total Tax Rate arose reform for CIT in 2008 and for VAT mainly from the Corporate Income Tax LQ  7KH &,7 UHIRUP XQL HG DQG &,7 UHIRUP LQ  ZKLFK XQL HG WZR standardised the deduction rules, which separate enterprise income tax regimes reduced the time previously needed for domestic enterprises and foreign for consulting with tax authorities. investment enterprises into a single 7KH UHPRYDO RI FHUWDLQ ERRNWRWD[ regime. It also reduced the standard tax adjustments also reduced the time UDWH IURP  WR   %HLQJ D TXDOL HG needed to calculate taxes and prepare VPDOO DQG WKLQSUR W HQWHUSULVH WKH &,7 UHWXUQV 8QGHU WKH QHZ FRQVXPSWLRQ rate for TaxpayerCo was reduced to an oriented VAT system, the recovery of even lower rate of 20%. The removal of a input VAT incurred on the purchase of GHGXFWLRQ OLPLW IRU VDODU\ H[SHQVHV SUH [HG DVVHWV LV QR ORQJHU GLVDOORZHG 7KLV operating expenses, etc. also lowered the has reduced not only the tax burden on tax liability. investing in equipment, but also the time IRU 9$7 OLQJ DV LW LV QR ORQJHU QHFHVVDU\ WR VRUW RXW WKH SXUFKDVH LQYRLFHV IRU [HG assets and related items when claiming input VAT credit. Paying Taxes 2011 57 Czech Republic 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 48.8% 49.6% Number of hours 557 930 Number of payments 12 27 6LPSOL HG DQG A key theme explored at the time of The Czech Republic’s Paying Taxes PRUH HI FLHQW WD[ the Paying Taxes 2010 launch was the results for the time spent to administer need for easy communication with tax DQG SD\ WD[HV KDYH EHHQ D VLJQL FDQW administration RI FHV DQG WUDQVSDUHQW UXOHV IRU WD[ incentive for the government to WR EHQH W ERWK inspections to help build a more cohesive accelerate the implementation of a government and effective tax system. The Ministry single revenue agency. Each month, of Finance recognises the importance Czech taxpayers are currently required DQGbEXVLQHVV of these issues, and from 1 January to produce forms and pay taxes, 2011, will begin a series of projects to social security and health insurance simplify tax administration and help contributions to several independent taxpayers become more comfortable RI FHV 7KH LQWURGXFWLRQ RI WKH VLQJOH ZLWK WKHbV\VWHP revenue agency will help streamline these bureaucratic procedures and A new tax administration act will become unify the administration of taxes, Lenka Mrazova, PwC Czech Republic effective from 1 January 2011, replacing social security and health insurance The Paying Taxes publication once again the current tax code which has existed FRQWULEXWLRQV LQWR RQH RI FH $ IXUWKHU captured the interest of the Ministry of since the early 1990s. The original focus reform regarding how the tax base is Finance in the Czech Republic during of the code was to combat tax avoidance, assessed as well as restructuring the 2010. The Ministry pays close attention but it became complex and characterised SK\VLFDO ORFDWLRQ RI WD[ RI FHV VKRXOG to the report since it raises a number by ambiguous terminology. As a result, follow soon. This will also help to reduce of interesting issues for discussion and the cost of tax administration in the the number of hours required to comply enables a comparison of the annual Czech Republic has become among with the tax system. results with other countries – both the highest in the EU. The new tax within central Europe and elsewhere. DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ DFW VKRXOG VLJQL FDQWO\ :KLOH LW PD\ EH GLI FXOW IRU JRYHUQPHQWV Since the Paying Taxes study began, increase the rights of taxpayers, to decrease or even keep tax rates the results for the compliance unify and simplify the rules of the tax constant in times of tight state budgets, indicators in the Czech Republic have proceedings, and reduce the costs of reducing the administrative burden LPSURYHG VLJQL FDQWO\ 7KLV LV GXH WR tax administration and tax inspections. FDQ DOZD\V EH D ZLQZLQ PHDVXUH WKH LQWURGXFWLRQ RI HOHFWURQLF OLQJ A more effective tax administration, GHOLYHULQJ EHQH WV WR ERWK JRYHUQPHQW VLPSOL HG SURFHVVHV DQG VLPSOL HG with administrators specialising in DQGbEXVLQHVV tax rates. The new Czech government, different types of companies, will be formed in 2010, has plans for further established for large companies with extensive changes within the tax arena, annual turnover exceeding CZK 2 billion including the preparation of a new (USD 100 million), for banks, and for income taxes act. PwC Czech Republic LQVXUDQFH DQG UHLQVXUDQFH FRPSDQLHV will participate in this key project as part An increased number of binding rulings of the working group put together by the LVVXHG E\ WKH WD[ RI FH LQ PDQ\ PRUH Ministry of Finance. areas of taxation will also be helpful IRUbWD[SD\HUV The current wording of the income taxes act is around 18 years old and, during this time, hundreds of amendments have been made. This has led to a complex DQG GLI FXOW V\VWHP RI H[HPSWLRQV DQG exceptions for both individuals and companies. A detailed review of the current income taxes act is an essential UVW VWHS IRU WKH JRYHUQPHQW %XW LW LV likely that the legislation process will need wide political consensus and may therefore take some time to progress. 58 Paying Taxes 2011 The Gulf Cooperation Council countries 2011 (av.) 2006 (av.) Total Tax Rate 15.3% 15.7% Number of hours 57 63 Number of payments 14 14 Reform in resource- A number of international government The Paying Taxes study is a useful agencies have highlighted the need for benchmark for the region against other rich economies GCC governments to diversify their tax systems and highlights what changes revenues via the development of a are being made in other jurisdictions FRPSUHKHQVLYH VFDO SROLF\ WR EULQJ around the world. Considering the a reliable and sustainable level of general absence of personal and government revenue (from taxation) corporate income taxation for citizens of throughout economic cycles. The GCC countries (whether professionals, absence of such a policy poses serious sole proprietorships or companies), it Dean Rolfe, PwC Middle East risks to a government’s ability to manage is not surprising that GCC territories The Middle East region is considered its individual economy when free trade currently feature prominently in Paying E\ PDQ\ WR EH D WD[IUHH HQYLURQPHQW agreements may result in the elimination Taxes 2011. While this may be true with respect to of existing forms of government the absence of personal income tax, in UHYHQXH VSHFL FDOO\ FXVWRPV GXWLHV That said, it is important to recognise most GCC countries (Bahrain, Kingdom and where governments rely on the that the methodology of Paying Taxes of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, VDOH RI FRPPRGLWLHV VSHFL FDOO\ RLO DQG assumes local ownership. This means United Arab Emirates) it is certainly gas (which are subject to volatile price that, in many GCC jurisdictions, not true when considering the broader movements), as a supplementary source corporate income tax is not levied subject of direct and indirect taxation. of revenue. on the case study company. Indeed taxation in many GCC jurisdictions is The subject of taxation in the Middle With this in mind, governments in the limited to social security taxes and other East is increasingly of interest to the GCC are now looking at these challenges miscellaneous indirect taxes. This is not business community, especially as DQG DUH GLVFXVVLQJ VFDO SROLF\ DQG the case more broadly in the Middle East governments attempt to develop and WKH QHHG WR LQWURGXFH QHZ WD[HV  region where corporate income tax is PDLQWDLQ HFRQRPLF DQG VFDO SROLFLHV VSHFL FDOO\ FRQVXPSWLRQ WD[HV 7KH OHYLHG RQ FRPSDQ\ SUR WV that promote foreign direct investment. challenge, however, is that governments This challenge is complicated by the fact ZDQW WR PDLQWDLQ D FRPSHWLWLYH VFDO As indicated above, the subject of tax that some jurisdictions in the GCC levy landscape while at the same time in the GCC is emerging as an area of corporate income tax on the business generating additional tax revenue. GCC focus for governments. So far, the activities of foreigners operating in the governments are not sure how to address GCC countries have maintained their GCC, but not on those of their nationals this objective, especially when they are lower rankings in Paying Taxes 2011. or other GCC nationals. That is to NHHQ WR SUHVHUYH D WD[IUHH HQYLURQPHQW The challenge however is whether say, taxation can be dependent upon governments in the GCC can remain citizenship in some jurisdictions within Recent rewrites of corporate tax laws in internationally competitive given the Middle East region. Qatar, Kuwait and Oman are examples of the reform agenda that appears to change in the region. These rewrites are EHbGHYHORSLQJ resulting in an expanded tax base and WKH FROOHFWLRQ RI WD[DWLRQ RQ FURVVERUGHU transactions via the introduction of withholding taxes. These developments are likely to continue and may include the introduction of new taxes. Paying Taxes 2011 59 Ghana 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 32.7% 40.1% Number of hours 224 304 Number of payments 33 37 More focus on tax impact of VAT compliance on business, request, this falls short when compared administration and 9$7 FRPSOLDQFH WHQGV WR EH PRUH WLPH to economies in the OECD or EU. In these economies, at least 60% of survey consuming in countries where indirect the compliance taxes are administered by a separate respondents said the average time taken EXUGHQ IRUbEXVLQHVV tax authority to that of income tax. to receive a refund was three months Currently, direct and indirect taxes are RUbOHVV administered by different tax authorities in Ghana and these are usually at Currently, the VAT Service requires different physical locations. TaxPayerCo an audit before a refund of excess VAT KDV WR PDNH YH SD\PHQWV WR WKH ,56 payment is made to a business. While and 12 payments to the VAT Service per VAT refunds can be received within Darcy White, PwC Ghana annum. This contributes to the overall three months on average, withholding time of 224 hours needed to comply with tax refunds, on the other hand, can take The Total Tax Rate (TTR) paid by 7D[SD\HU&R V WD[bREOLJDWLRQV over six months. Streamlining the refund TaxpayerCo in Ghana has seen a SURFHVV FRXOG IUHH XS FDVK RZ QHHGHG reduction from a high of 40.1% in As part of the GRA Act, all revenue to fund business activity. 2006 to a current 32.7%. This is institutions will move on to an electronic mainly due to reductions made to the platform. Units for medium and low Improving Ghana’s rating in the Paying FRUSRUDWH WD[ UDWH  IURP  LQ taxpayers will also be set up to meet Taxes standings extends beyond 2004, to 28% in 2005, and then to 25% the special needs of these different reducing tax rates. Other areas which IRU VFDO \HDU  6RFLDO VHFXULW\ categories of taxpayers. This will help can be improved include making it easier FRQWULEXWLRQ LV D VLJQL FDQW FRVW LQ to improve service and reduce the to pay both direct and indirect taxes at computing the TTR under the Paying number of hours that TaxpayerCo spends WKH VDPH WD[ RI FH $QRWKHU RSWLRQ PD\ Taxes methodology, as it forms part paying taxes and resolving issues with be to merge registration for taxes within of the legal obligation/mandatory the tax authorities. It is not yet certain a single tax body instead of the current contribution for TaxpayerCo’s operations if this electronic platform will include situation where companies have to in Ghana. This cost constitutes 40% of HOHFWURQLF OLQJ RU HOHFWURQLF SD\PHQW RI register separately with different bodies TaxpayerCo’s TTR. This further stresses taxes. TaxpayerCo makes 33 payments for VAT and income taxes. the point that ‘other payments’ made to and spends 224 hours on tax compliance WKH JRYHUQPHQW DUH DV VLJQL FDQW DV WKH each year in Ghana. Part of this can be corporate taxes paid by TaxpayerCo. attributed to the current withholding tax system. A revision of this system, On 31 December 2009, the Parliament including lowering the rate and allowing of Ghana gave assent to the Ghana selected taxpayers to pay by installment, Revenue Authority (GRA) Act. The GRA could potentially reduce the number of brings together all the revenue collecting hours and payments. agencies (Value Added Tax (VAT), Internal Revenue Services (IRS) and An important issue facing businesses in Customs, Excise and Preventive Services Ghana relates to VAT and withholding (CEPS) organisations) into one body. tax refunds. As shown in PwC’s survey This is expected to improve customer on tax administration, which was carried service for taxpayers and bring Ghana out as part of Paying Taxes 2010, it up to international standards in terms of takes an average of three months from a tax administrative structure. However, lodging a refund request to receiving the it is yet to be seen if this new structure cash in Ghana. Although this compares will have an effect on the number of favourably to other countries in the payments and on the time spent making Africa Union, where a third of countries tax payments to the tax authorities. As in the survey reported that it takes seen from the recent PwC study on the more than a year to receive a refund 60 Paying Taxes 2011 India 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 63.3% 65.5% Number of hours 258 264 Number of payments 56 55 A proposed new effect of the two GSTs will reduce to integrated Goods 16% from an initial 20%. It is expected that the implementation of this new and Services Tax GST regime will reduce the Total Tax to reduce both Rate in India, as the taxes levied under the cost and a GST regime will be taxes collected, but not necessarily borne, by the case FRPSOLDQFHbEXUGHQ VWXG\bFRPSDQ\ In recent years, there has been progress LQ WKH XVH RI RQOLQH OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW in India. The online payment facility for VAT in Mumbai is now operational Rahul Garg, PwC India DQG WKH OLQJ SURFHVV IRU FRUSRUDWH The Paying Taxes study continues tax returns in India has become to be useful in providing objective paperless following the introduction DQDO\VLV RQ WKH DPRXQW D PHGLXPVL]H of a mandatory requirement for these company must pay or withhold in taxes tax returns to be digitally signed. in a given year, and on the weight of 3UHYLRXVO\ WKH WD[ UHWXUQV ZHUH OHG the compliance burden. The survey electronically, but digital authentication also continues to be a useful guide for of these returns was optional. We administrative reform. also understand that the Income Tax Department is undertaking an extensive There are some interesting developments exercise to enable many income tax to report with regards to the tax regime related forms to be completed online. in India. On the direct tax front, in A similar project has already been 2009, the government released a new VXFFHVVIXOO\ LPSOHPHQWHG IRU OLQJV draft direct tax code (DTC) for public required under the Companies Act. comment. Subsequently, in August 2010, a revised DTC Bill was tabled in parliament, aimed at simplifying the old Income Tax Law which was originally enacted in 1961. In addition, a new dual Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure has been proposed which may come into force in 2011. There are also proposals to integrate the current central and state indirect tax levies (including excise duty (CENVAT), service tax, VAT (local sales tax), entertainment tax, luxury tax, etc.) into a dual GST comprising a central GST (CGST) and a state GST (SGST). The standard rate of CGST will be 10% on goods and 8% on services. A SGST will also be levied at the same rates. The proposed rate of 10% for goods is stated to progressively decline to 8% in a phased manner, so that the combined Paying Taxes 2011 61 Republic of Korea 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 29.8% 36.4% Number of hours 250 290 Number of payments 14 14 Using Paying Taxes Reducing compliance costs is also on Similar developments are also underway to benchmark the the government’s agenda. The number for corporate income tax. One of the of hours has fallen by 40 hours since PRVW VLJQL FDQW GHYHORSPHQWV LQ WKH WD[bV\VWHP 2006 as online systems have developed. country’s corporate income tax system As part of the initiative to improve the during 2010 was the introduction of future tax compliance environment, the the consolidated tax return regime. A government implemented an electronic corporate group is now allowed to elect VAT invoicing system in 2010 (which WR OH D FRQVROLGDWHG WD[ UHWXUQ 7KH will become mandatory from 2011). Republic of Korea government expects Soo-Hwan Park, PwC Republic of Korea The electronic VAT invoicing system is this new regime to promote neutrality expected to help reduce the costs of tax RI WD[DWLRQ DQG LPSURYH WD[ HI FLHQF\ Paying Taxes has been a good point FRPSOLDQFH VLJQL FDQWO\ EXLOGLQJ RQ for corporate groups. But again, this will of reference for the Republic of Korea the introduction of the electronic tax not impact the Paying Taxes results as government in terms of assessing the OLQJ V\VWHP LQ  7KLV QHZ V\VWHP there is no group of companies in the competitiveness and effectiveness of will mean that taxpayers are no longer assumptions used. the local tax system. It has also allowed required to issue a paper VAT invoice and the Korean system to be benchmarked maintain a hard copy of these invoices, The government is to continue its efforts against measures being taken by other as this will be done electronically. It is to achieve an effective tax regime, and countries to improve their compliance therefore hoped that the compliance to benchmark itself against overseas tax environment for taxpayers. The current time for VAT taxpayers will fall. And as compliance systems in order to ensure government is aiming to create a more the VAT invoice is basic evidence not that the Korean tax system remains EXVLQHVVIULHQGO\ HQYLURQPHQW DQG LV only for the VAT return, but also for the competitive. However, the current keen to improve the ease of paying taxes corporate income tax (CIT) return, these economic recession and the need to ranking for the Republic of Korea by improvements should help reduce CIT secure a robust government budget is adopting appropriate reforms. compliance time too. also shaping future policy initiatives. It is likely that the government will The most noticeable change for the In July 2010, a consolidated VAT reduce tax rates further and introduce country in Paying Taxes 2011 is a payment regime was extended to measures to broaden the tax base with reduction in the Total Tax Rate (TTR) apply to all VAT taxpayers. Taxpayers the future imposition of stamp duty on from 36.4% in 2006 to 29.8% this are now able to make one payment the Exchange Traded Funds and listed year. This is mainly due to the gradual WR WKH WD[ RI FH IRU WKH 9$7 OLDELOLW\ derivatives. It may also abolish some reduction in the corporate income tax for all their business places. The new existing stamp duty exemptions for rates from 14.3% in 2006 to 12.1% consolidated VAT payment regime publicly placed funds and the exemption in 2009 (for amounts up to KRW 100 is expected to reduce the number of from capital gains for offshore listed million) and from 27.5% in 2006 to tax payments per taxpayer. Although, shares invested by a domestic fund. 24.2% in 2009 (for amounts thereafter). given the characteristics of the Paying The TTR is now one of the lowest among Taxes case study company, this change the developed and emerging economies. is not expected to impact the Paying The government intends to reduce the 7D[HVbUHVXOWV corporate income tax rate further with the headline rate reducing from 24.2% to 22% from 2012. 62 Paying Taxes 2011 Malaysia 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 33.7% 36.0% Number of hours 145 190 Number of payments 12 35 Aiming to be in the With these reforms in mind, and using Three years after its formation, top ten for the ease the same methodology as the World PEMUDAH continues to pursue its Bank, PEMUDAH’s FGPT has examined mission of “driving the nation with of paying taxes the taxes and mandatory contributions more substantive improvements that WKDW D PHGLXPVL]HG FRPSDQ\ LQ create greater impact to the nation’s Malaysia must pay or withhold in a competitiveness and initiatives that given year, as well as measuring the make a difference to the life of the administrative burden in paying taxes. business community and the citizenry.â€? In effect, Malaysia’s Paying Taxes Its measure of success in achieving this Chuan Keat Khoo, PwC Malaysia ranking is being used as a basis for the vision is “to improve Malaysia’s ranking FGPT’s initiatives to make paying taxes in the World Bank's Ease of Doing PEMUDAH (Malaysia’s ‘Special Task easier across all the main taxes. Business and reach the goal of being Force to Facilitate Business’, which ranked among the top 10 nationsâ€?, (from reports to the Prime Minister) is 3UREDEO\ WKH PRVW VLJQL FDQW PHDVXUH PEMUDAH’s 2009 Annual Report). continuing its efforts to improve the implemented in 2010 has been the delivery of public services, and to introduction of MyCOID. This allows enhance the business environment companies to interact with different including tax competitiveness and government agencies (including, HI FLHQF\ 7R PHDVXUH LWV DFKLHYHPHQWV the Inland Revenue Board, agencies PEMUDAH tracks three key international administering social contributions, reports including the World Bank and DQG WKH 60( &RUS IRUPHUO\ NQRZQ IFC’s Doing Business report and its ease as the Small and Medium Industries of paying taxes indicators. Development Corporation) with just one VWDQGDUG LGHQWL FDWLRQ QXPEHU  On 27 May 2010, PEMUDAH’s Focus Group on Paying Taxes (FGPT) released PEMUDAH also provides a glimpse of an article entitled, “Can Malaysia proposed measures to be implemented make it easier to pay taxes?â€? This was in the next stage of the FGPT’s plan for published in one of Malaysia’s leading continuing tax reform. For business, newspapers. In the article, Chairman these include compensation for late of the focus group, Datuk Chua Tia tax refunds (potentially in 2015), a Guan, gives an insight into the initiatives UHGXFWLRQ LQ WKH VL[\HDU WLPHIUDPH taken by the group in continuing tax within which a tax audit can be carried UHIRUPV IRU JUHDWHU HI FLHQF\ DQG HDVH out in order to reduce the uncertainty RI GRLQJ EXVLQHVV $FFRUGLQJ WR QGLQJV for businesses, consolidation of certain by the World Bank, four key successful tax payments into one payment, and tax reforms have been implemented WKH VWDQGDUGLVDWLRQ RI WKH GH QLWLRQ RI around the world since 2005. These are wages for the purpose of computing the highlighted in the article and include various social contributions. LQWURGXFLQJ RQOLQH OLQJ FRPELQLQJ WD[HV VLPSOLI\LQJ WD[ DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ and reducing tax rates and broadening the base. Paying Taxes 2011 63 The Netherlands 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 40.5% 48.5% Number of hours 134 250 Number of payments 9 20 In times of An important temporary measure for Following the recent elections, Dutch VAT was introduced, giving companies politicians are currently preoccupied economic crisis, DQ RSWLRQ WR OH TXDUWHUO\ LQVWHDG RI with the formation of a new cabinet reducing the tax monthly. This measure can lead to and so further substantial changes compliance burden a delay in VAT payments, improving are not expected within the next few FRPSDQLHV FDVK RZ DQG PD\ DOVR months. However, the commitments is at the forefront of result in a substantial decrease in the already made in relation to reducing WD[bSROLF\ time taken to comply. Recently, the the administrative burden are gradually Minister of Finance announced that this EHLQJ IXO OOHG DQG VKRXOG WDNH temporary measure, initially introduced further effect in the near future. The for 2009 and 2010, will be extended indicators show that there is still room due to its success. Over 100,000 for improvement in the Netherlands. entrepreneurs have made use of this We therefore hope that this important measure so far. subject remains a key priority for the Roland Brandsma, PwC Netherlands QHZO\ IRUPHG JRYHUQPHQW  UHJDUGOHVV RI This year’s Paying Taxes report again With regards to corporate income tax, its political persuasion. VKRZV D VLJQL FDQW IDOO LQ WKH QXPEHU WKH SURFHGXUH IRU OLQJ UHWXUQV KDV of hours that are needed by our case DOVR EHHQ PDGH HDVLHU ZLWK VLPSOL HG study to comply with its tax affairs rules for preparing annual accounts. in the Netherlands. This is consistent As of 2009, these new rules allow with the longer downward trend in WKH JXUHV DQG EDVHV XVHG IRU WKH the data since 2006. The drive to commercial accounts to also be used reduce compliance time was boosted for the corporate income tax return for by the successful launch of Paying VPDOO DQG WR D FHUWDLQ H[WHQW PHGLXP Taxes 2009 in the Netherlands and the VL]HGbHQWHUSULVHV accompanying political debate over the results. This reduction is a key reason for Ongoing political debate has also the improvement to the overall Dutch prompted the introduction of several ranking from 33 to 27 since last year. other future measures which focus on The Dutch government has consistently reducing the time to comply. It is hoped acknowledged the need to reduce that these measures will have a positive the administrative burden of the tax impact on future Paying Taxes results. system and has placed this objective They include a reduced administrative at the forefront of its tax policy. In burden for employers with regards to times of economic crisis, a reduction in QHZO\KLUHG HPSOR\HHV WKH LQWURGXFWLRQ administrative burden offers welcome RI D FRPPRQ GH QLWLRQ RI ZDJHV IRU relief for businesses, by reducing the wage withholding tax and the compliance costs and improving various social contributions, and a new EXVLQHVVHV FDVK RZ SRVLWLRQ ZRUNUHODWHG FRVW VFKHPH IRU ZDJH WD[ purposes. Although not applicable to The substantial fall in the number of RXU FDVH VWXG\ FRPSDQ\ D VLJQL FDQW hours to comply, which is shown in this improvement to the participation year’s results for the Netherlands, can exemption regime, effective as of be explained by the various measures January 2010, should also have a that the Dutch government introduced positive effect on the tax system with most recently, and which have had an regards to corporate income tax. impact during the period of this year’s FDVHbVWXG\ 64 Paying Taxes 2011 Nigeria 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 32.2% 31.5% Number of hours 938 1,120 Number of payments 35 35 One step closer to all taxpayers across the three tiers of with tax obligations. While there has global best practice government – federal, state and local been some reduction on this indicator VLQFH WKH 3D\LQJ 7D[HV VWXG\ ZDV UVW – has been initiated by the Joint Tax Board: the body of Nigeria’s federal undertaken, Nigeria still ranks 180 out of and state tax authorities. The proposal  FRXQWULHV LQ WKH ZRUOG  DQG LV ODVW LQ was recently approved by the federal the African Union. government, but implementation could take up to two years. When fully Another area requiring urgent attention implemented, the UTIN will be used to is the length of time it takes to settle tax Taiwo Oyedele, PwC Nigeria create a National Taxpayer Database that disputes. The process is currently very Nigeria is currently pursuing various will facilitate the movement towards a slow and ineffective and many states do tax reforms which are geared WHFKQRORJ\HQDEOHG WD[ V\VWHP IRU WKH not have a body in place to adjudicate WRZDUGV DFKLHYLQJ D EXVLQHVVIULHQGO\ country. This will move Nigeria’s tax in tax disputes, despite provisions in HQYLURQPHQW DQG VLPSOL HG WD[ administration and practice one step the law. At the federal level, the FIRS administration. The reforms include a closer to global best practice. In addition, Establishment Act, enacted in 2007, proposed reduction in corporate and the project will provide better access established tax tribunals in the six personal income tax rates, an increase to information (especially between JHRSROLWLFDO ]RQHV %XW WR GDWH WKH in the VAT rate, and the development tax agencies), reduce the multiplicity tribunals have only been constituted RI D ULVNEDVHG DSSURDFK WR HQIRUFLQJ of taxes, and effectively increase the and are yet to become fully operational. WD[bFRPSOLDQFH revenue to various tiers of government. As a result, many tax cases, which have Although the process is still at an early been pending for well over two years, The corporate income tax rate is to stage, it is expected that the initiative UHPDLQbXQUHVROYHG reduce from 30% to 20% while the will include a strategy to harmonise or top rate of personal income tax is to PLJUDWH WKH H[LVWLQJ WD[ LGHQWL FDWLRQ reduce marginally from 25% to 24%. numbers into the UTIN and make This marginal reduction in the personal FRPSOLDQFH HDVLHU IRUbWD[SD\HUV income tax rate will be accompanied by HQKDQFHG WD[IUHH DOORZDQFHV ZLGHU Some of the ongoing reforms are based tax bands and reduced graduated rates on the new National Tax Policy (NTP) IRU ORZLQFRPH HDUQHUV 7KH SURSRVDO ZKLFK KDV EHHQ XQGHUJRLQJ QHWXQLQJ to increase VAT could see the rate go up IRU RYHU WZR \HDUV 7KH QDO YHUVLRQ to 15% from the current 5% in the near of the NTP was approved in January future. This will be implemented in a 2010 to serve as a reference point for stepped manner over a couple of years. future tax legislation and the evolution The shift in focus from direct to indirect of the Nigerian tax environment in tax is expected to widen the tax base, general. The NTP, however, requires the encourage voluntary compliance and necessary legal framework to facilitate reduce the cost of tax collection. its implementation. The proposal to unify tax registration Nigeria, with 35 tax payments and a for all federal taxes has already been 32.2% Total Tax Rate, ranks well on both implemented in Nigeria. Taxpayers these indicators in the African Union. now only need a single registration for The one area, which negatively impacts corporate income tax, VAT, capital gains the country’s overall ease of paying taxes tax and other federal taxes. Following ranking and requires focused attention, this, a proposal to develop a unique continues to be the vast amount of time WD[ LGHQWL FDWLRQ QXPEHU 87,1 IRU (hours per year) required to comply Paying Taxes 2011 65 Poland 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 42.3% 40.9% Number of hours 325 418 Number of payments 29 40 ,PSURYLQJ H OLQJ Alongside these measures, Polish The ups and downs of the initiatives and a modern tax ODZPDNHUV KDYH HPEDUNHG RQ described above have been closely the task of encouraging the use of monitored by government. With e-administration H OLQJ DQG LQWURGXFLQJ D PRGHUQ WD[ this in mind, the Ministry of Finance HDGPLQLVWUDWLRQ 7KH LQLWLDO VWDJH ZDV commissioned a PwC survey to seek completed on 1 January 2008, when input and suggestions on how to all businesses were given the option LPSURYH WKH H OLQJ V\VWHP IRU 3,7 WR OH DOPRVW DOO WD[ UHWXUQV RQOLQH The government has also embarked on 7KH LQWURGXFWLRQ RI WKLV H OLQJ V\VWHP an even more ambitious task to set up has not yet been fully successful as D IXOO\ PRGHUQLVHG HDGPLQLVWUDWLRQ Katarzyna Czarnecka-Žochowska, businesses have had to meet a number PwC is also assisting with this project. PwC Poland of formal requirements in order to IT technologies will be used to register, In recent years, Poland has made participate. This may have discouraged gather and process tax information and VLJQL FDQW SURJUHVV WR HDVH WKH SD\LQJ some taxpayers, and there has been this should reduce interactions between WD[HV SURFHVV DQG WKLV LV UH HFWHG LQ WKH some reluctance to abandon the paper taxpayers and the tax authorities to a Paying Taxes results. OLQJ PHWKRG minimum. Furthermore, a wide range of PIT taxpayers will be given the option to While the Total Tax Rate increased in 7KLV UHOXFWDQFH WR HPEUDFH H OLQJ LV KDYH WKHLU WD[ UHWXUQV SUHFRPSOHWHG E\ Poland after 2006, it has reduced again also evident among personal income the tax authorities. It is expected that the in more recent years. There have been WD[SD\HUV ZKR KDYH WKH RSWLRQ WR OH HDGPLQLVWUDWLRQ UHIRUP ZLOO EH FRPSOHWH several tax rate reductions. The relevant returns electronically. In 2009, only by the end of 2012. legislative measures were passed in 2006 around 320,000 individuals (around and 2007, although some only came into  RI DOO 3,7 WD[SD\HUV OHG WKHLU force in 2009. The most important of returns online. Again, procedural issues these included substantial decreases in are thought to have contributed to this. the social security and personal income tax (PIT) rates. The social security UDWH IRU HPSOR\HHV GURSSHG E\ YH percentage points and, for employers, by two percentage points. 7KHUH KDV EHHQ VLJQL FDQW SURJUHVV on procedural issues, and the time to comply for our case study company has fallen, as has the number of payments. This has been achieved partly through measures such as extending reporting periods. VAT changes that came into force in December 2008 have been particularly important. Taxpayers are QRZ DOORZHG WR OH TXDUWHUO\ LQVWHDG RIbPRQWKO\ 66 Paying Taxes 2011 Romania 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 44.9% 57.2% Number of hours 222 190 Number of payments 113 108 Against the trend – and also the potential to defer tax The government has also postponed the a rising tax burden liabilities under certain conditions. LQWURGXFWLRQ RI D VLPSOL HG DGYDQFH These measures, however, do not affect corporate income tax payments on business the TTR for the Paying Taxes case system, initially planned for 2010, until study company as the conditions do 2012. When the system is eventually not apply to the assumptions made for introduced, it is expected that it will WKHbFRPSDQ\ make the compliance procedure easier for the taxpayer and reduce the number The number of hours needed to comply of hours required. with the major taxes has increased Peter de Ruiter, PwC Romania with much of this happening in the It is clear that additional measures to Paying Taxes 2011 ranks Romania 151 last year (from 202 hours in last year’s streamline the tax administration are out of the 183 economies included in the study to 222 hours currently). This necessary to help Romania become an VWXG\ 7KLV UDQNLQJ LV KHDYLO\ LQ XHQFHG is mainly due to the introduction of important location on the investors’ by the high number of tax payments in more burdensome requirements in map. The Paying Taxes indicators Romania: 113 are required during the relation to labour agreements, and are proving to be a useful catalyst course of a year, most of which relate to also additional corporate income tax IRU GLVFXVVLRQV ZLWK RI FLDOV LQ WKH ODERXU WD[HV 7KHUH LV QR HOHFWURQLF OLQJ compliance procedures (for example, Romanian government and provide an currently available. Romania’s continued the requirement for more detailed impetus for initiating comprehensive low ranking arises not only because analysis of accounting information in tax reforms. The launch event for of the Romanian tax system itself, but relation to sensitive items). Progress Paying Taxes in Bucharest this year will also because of the tax reforms being has, however, been made at the same UHSUHVHQW DQRWKHU VLJQL FDQW PLOHVWRQH implemented in other countries. time. The process for issuing electronic LQ WKLVbSURFHVV invoices, introduced in October 2009, The Paying Taxes 2010 report was widely KDV EHHQ VLPSOL HG LQ RUGHU WR LPSURYH publicised in Romania. It attracted the compliance process. VLJQL FDQW PHGLD DWWHQWLRQ DQG stimulated good debate. However, so During 2010, the government has far, few actions have been taken by the LQWURGXFHG VHYHUDO IXUWKHU VFDO Romanian government to simplify the measures aimed at helping to achieve WD[ V\VWHP DQG HDVH WKH WD[SD\HU V VFDO EXGJHW GH FLW WDUJHWV 7KHVH PHDVXUHV burden. In fact, the trend has been for are expected to have an impact on the the compliance indicators to increase. Paying Taxes indicators in the future. They include an increase in the VAT Since the Paying Taxes study began, rate from 19% to 24%, along with the Total Tax Rate (TTR) has fallen in the introduction of additional VAT Romania, mainly as a result of falling FRPSOLDQFH PHDVXUHV DQ LQFUHDVH LQ labour tax rates for social security, other local taxes (e.g. vehicle tax, taxes health insurance, and unemployment RQ WKH LVVXH RI FHUWL FDWHV QRWLFHV DQG contributions. In the most recent years, DXWKRULVDWLRQV IRU DGYHUWLVLQJ  DQG the Romanian government has taken WKH LQWURGXFWLRQ RI D QHZ ODWHSD\PHQW several measures to help support the penalty system. business environment during the economic downturn. Taxpayers have been granted social security exemption during periods of temporary inactivity, Paying Taxes 2011 67 Singapore 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 25.4% 27.7% Number of hours 84 80 Number of payments 5 5 Consistently in monthly wages. Over S$4.3 billion in Despite Singapore’s excellent results in jobs credits was paid out in total. The the Paying Taxes study, the methodology the top ten but impact is nonetheless not evident in used for the calculations does not striving for further Singapore’s TTR results as the credits capture the full extent of the Singapore HI FLHQFLHV are not deductible for tax purposes, nor tax system for companies. This is due taxable in the hands of companies that WR WKH GRPHVWLF DQG UHVWULFWHGDFWLYLW\ received them. SUR OH RI WKH FDVH VWXG\ FRPSDQ\ XVHG in the report. There are a number of 6LQJDSRUH V YH WD[ SD\PHQWV DUH DQ tax incentives, rebates, tax deductions LQGLFDWLRQ RI WKH HI FLHQF\ RI WKH WD[ and tax treaties available in Singapore system when compared to the global which do not apply to TaxpayerCo. David Sandison, PwC Singapore average of 30 payments. These taxes, Enhanced deductions, tax loss reforms Tax policy plays an integral role in each spread over different tax bases, and grants are also being introduced Singapore’s strategy for being a major ensure the stability of Singapore’s to encourage investments, innovation, global business hub. The effectiveness tax revenues and the ability to make and entrepreneurship. A Total Tax DQG HI FLHQF\ RI 6LQJDSRUH V WD[ V\VWHP sustainable public investment for Contribution study using data from real is evident from its consistent top ten WKHbIXWXUH companies in Singapore could provide rankings in the Paying Taxes study since further insights on the effectiveness and LW ZDV ODXQFKHG YH \HDUV DJR In line with the low TTR rate and HI FLHQF\ RI WKH V\VWHP relatively few tax payments, Singapore’s Singapore is ranked fourth for the ORZ WLPHWRFRPSO\ RI  KRXUV VKRZV D overall ease of paying taxes in the latest EXVLQHVVIULHQGO\ DSSURDFK WRZDUGV WD[ study, with a decrease in Total Tax Rate FROOHFWLRQ WKURXJK H OLQJ VLPSOL HG (TTR) from 27.7% to 25.4% over the last IRUPV DQG HI FLHQW DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ year. This change in TTR is mainly due to tax reforms introduced progressively Discussions for reform are, however, and aimed at enhancing Singapore’s continuing. Following the launch of each ORQJWHUP DELOLW\ WR DWWUDFW LQYHVWPHQW Paying Taxes study over the past few DQG WR ZHDWKHU WKH JOREDO QDQFLDO FULVLV years, the Singapore tax authorities have Among other reforms, the prevailing engaged with PwC Singapore to discuss corporate tax rate was reduced from ways in which the tax system could be 18% to 17%, and a 40% property tax PDGH PRUH HI FLHQW DQG HIIHFWLYH LQ rebate was offered to ease business costs comparison to peer economies. in the 2009 budget. Interestingly, nearly 60% of the TTR consists of the employer component of a mandatory Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution. The cash burden incurred by employers from CPF contributions was reduced from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2010 through the introduction of a Jobs Credit Scheme. Under this innovative initiative, an employer received a 12% cash grant in 2009 (reduced to 6% and 3% in  RQ WKH UVW 6  RI TXDOLI\LQJ 68 Paying Taxes 2011 South Africa 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 30.5% 38.1% Number of hours 200 350 Number of payments 9 12 Tax policy in the In driving this agenda, it has also been to information on performance in tax necessary to maintain a sustainable policy and administration matters. wake of recession debt level so that actions today do not It also provides policymakers with constrain development tomorrow. This objective information that can be used has therefore been a rather conservative to plan the tax landscape of the future. approach with expectations for output At the same time, other studies based growth to improve, supported by public on the TTC Framework, in particular, infrastructure spending, lower interest the global mining study, are important rates, the effect of 2010 FIFA World in identifying key investment sectors Cup and a possible recovery in the and opportunities within the South Paul de Chalain, PwC South Africa ZRUOGbHFRQRP\ $IULFDQbHFRQRP\ Since the Paying Taxes study began, there has been a downward trend in 1HZ WD[HV LGHQWL HG DQG LPSOHPHQWHG As with the boom period prior to 2008, South Africa’s results brought about by include an environmental levy on the global recession will result in falling corporate income tax rates, and HOHFWULF ODPHQW ODPSV QRQHQHUJ\ sweeping changes to the world economic D EURDGEDVHG GULYH WRZDUGV HOHFWURQLF saving). An environmental levy on motor landscape. Major industries, from OLQJ DQG VLPSOLI\LQJ WD[ UHWXUQV ,Q vehicle carbon emission levels (the automobiles to telecommunications and the wake of the recession, it is expected PRUH IXHOHI FLHQW WKH FDU WKH OHVV WD[ LV energy, are undergoing restructuring that the South African government charged) will also be implemented in the and rapid evolution. There is no doubt will maintain its focus on tax policy near future. The promotion of a greener that tax revenues in South Africa will DQGbUHIRUP HFRQRP\ RFFXSLHV D UP SRVLWLRQ KLJK remain under extreme pressure and up on the government’s agenda. This current indications are that the focus of The global economy experienced its includes processes to encourage energy tax policy will remain on the stability of deepest recession in seven decades, HI FLHQF\ DQG UHGXFH KDUPIXO HPLVVLRQV the national economy. SUHFLSLWDWLQJ 6RXWK $IULFD V UVW some of which have tax implications. recession in 17 years. In South Africa, Although tax implications may limit the depth of the domestic downturn is important economic growth, this EHVW PHDVXUHG QRW LQ *'3 JXUHV EXW LQ approach also protects South Africa’s human terms. More than 900,000 people future. In this regard, the high cost of tax have lost their jobs since the crisis began. compliance will remain an issue. 7KLV KDV KDG D VLJQL FDQW HIIHFW RQ WKHLU lives and on the livelihoods of millions of The results of the Paying Taxes studies South Africans. and the empirical work conducted by PwC South Africa in its third annual Tax policy has been used as an important Total Tax Contribution (TTC) survey instrument to aid recovery from the for large South African companies economic downturn. South Africa has have been widely publicised in South focused in particular on maintaining Africa. The TTC survey shows that stability. The National Treasury applied despite the recession, the largest ORQJWHUP SULQFLSOHV LQ WKH EXGJHW companies in South Africa continue process. These included protecting the WR FRQWULEXWH D VLJQL FDQW SURSRUWLRQ SRRU VXVWDLQLQJ HPSOR\PHQW JURZWK of the country’s overall tax receipts. DQG H[SDQGLQJ WUDLQLQJ RSSRUWXQLWLHV 7KHVH UHVXOWV FRQ UP WKH LPSRUWDQFH building economic capacity and of large South African companies to SURPRWLQJ LQYHVWPHQW DQG DGGUHVVLQJ the local economy. Paying Taxes has the barriers to competiveness that limit proved to be an objective investment an equitable sharing of opportunities. tool that provides investors with access Paying Taxes 2011 69 Switzerland 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 30.1% 29.9% Number of hours 63 63 Number of payments 19 20 Progress during the There have been a number of recent 2IIHULQJ D VFDO HQYLURQPHQW ZKLFK LV crisis and beyond changes in the tax law in Switzerland. attractive to international businesses For direct federal tax purposes, the is of vital importance to Switzerland, conditions for the application of bearing in mind the country’s small participation relief will be relaxed size, its limited domestic market and as of 2011. The cantons will have to WKH DEVHQFH RI DQ\ VLJQL FDQW QDWXUDO implement this too, though timing may UHVRXUFHV WKDW FRXOG EH VFDOO\ H[SORLWHG vary. The capital contribution principle Switzerland has realised that, in order will also be introduced, allowing to provide a stable and prosperous Armin Marti, PwC Switzerland contributed surplus to be returned to OHJDO DQG VFDO HQYLURQPHQW EH\RQG 7KH JOREDO QDQFLDO GRZQWXUQ UHVXOWLQJ shareholders free of Swiss withholding national borders, it is necessary to IURP WKH QDQFLDO FULVLV RI  KDV tax from 2011. From August 2010, the HQVXUH FURVVERUGHU WUDQVSDUHQF\ 7KH prompted many governments to revisit VRFDOOHG  QRQEDQN UXOH KDV EHHQ Swiss government has therefore recently WKHLU VFDO SROLF\ ,Q 6ZLW]HUODQG VXFK relaxed (i.e. withholding tax and stamp accepted the OECD’s information analysis reveals a relatively solid level GXWLHV DUH HOLPLQDWHG RQ LQWHUFRPSDQ\ exchange standards. By combining RI VWDWH QDQFLQJ DQG D PRGHUDWH OHYHO treasury activities if certain conditions a ‘local approach’ with international of public debt. This healthy balance are met). cooperation and partnerships, EHWZHHQ SXEOLF VSHQGLQJ DQG VFDO Switzerland represents a country with revenues allows Switzerland to retain a Moreover, as part of the announced an internationally competitive and UHODWLYHO\ DWWUDFWLYH VFDO HQYLURQPHQW corporate tax reform, further transparent tax system. characterised by stability and gradual improvements to the corporate income but steady improvement. The Doing tax regulations are currently being Business and Paying Taxes studies developed. Among the proposals document this sustainable path. discussed are the following: the abolition of issuance stamp duty, further changes Since Paying Taxes 2006 was published, to the participation relief system, and the Swiss results have remained virtually the introduction of the ability to carry the same, with only minor variances in forward tax losses without limitation the Total Tax Rate (TTR). It should be (currently limited to seven years). noted that the Swiss corporate income tax rate – one of the most important 7KHVH UHYLVLRQV ZLOO EHQH W DOO components of the TTR – varies due to companies in Switzerland, including cantonal tax laws, which can cause tax small and medium sized enterprises rates to differ quite substantially. Zurich, on which the Paying Taxes analysis the location for the case study company is based. They will also help to settle in this study, ranks at about the average ongoing issues with the European Union of all cantons. Moreover, international concerning preferential tax regimes and businesses operating out of Switzerland to strengthen Switzerland’s position may also qualify for lower corporate tax as a reliable and attractive location for rates if certain conditions apply. international investment. 70 Paying Taxes 2011 United Kingdom 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 37.3% 35.8% Number of hours 110 105 Number of payments 8 8 Coming out of The number of hours required for tax With the exception of the VAT change, the recession compliance has increased slightly to 110. we can expect that all of these changes 7KLV UH HFWV WKH UHFHQW FKDQJHV WKDW KDYH will have an impact on the TTR for our and facilitating been made to the rate of VAT and the case study company in the UK. The EXVLQHVVbJURZWK necessary additional administration that changes to the VAT rate will not however was required to implement the change. affect the TTR, as this is not a tax borne for our case study company. But, subject As for many other economies, the last to any other changes that might have an two years have been a particularly impact on the administrative procedures turbulent period for the UK, with for compliance, the proposed VAT the banking crisis beginning in 2008 changes will result in an increase in the and continuing throughout 2009. It WLPHWRFRPSO\ WR UH HFW WKH H[WUD WLPH Barry Marshall, PwC UK is only since the end of 2009 that the needed to deal with the rates changes. /RQGRQ KRVWHG WKH UVW JOREDO ODXQFK UK economy has gradually moved out event for Paying Taxes in November of recession. But the pace of growth Getting the balance right between 2006. At this time, the UK had a ranking remains slow and the recession has left raising revenues and ensuring that of 11 out of the 178 economies included WKH FRXQWU\ ZLWK D ODUJH VWUXFWXUDO GH FLW business activity is not inhibited is key. in the study. Since then, the UK’s to deal with. Other research undertaken by PwC in position has gradually fallen to a current the 2010 edition of the Global Family ranking of 16. Changes that have been In 2010, the UK elected a new coalition Business survey, and in last year’s made to the UK tax system during this government which has stated that its Enterprising UK survey suggests that WLPH DUH FOHDUO\ UH HFWHG LQ WKH 3D\LQJ priority revolves around tackling this business is still concerned about the tax 7D[HVbUHVXOWV GH FLW 7KH WKUHH NH\ WRROV DW LWV GLVSRVDO system. There is a plea from business for DUH HI FLHQF\ VDYLQJV VSHQGLQJ FXWV DQG simple tax rules, reduced administrative The change in the Total Tax Rate (TTR) the tax system. In its emergency budget burden and, most of all, for a period of KDV KDG WKH PRVW VLJQL FDQW LPSDFW RQ in June 2010, the government set out a certainty and stability in the tax system. the overall result. Although the UK’s YH\HDU SODQ 7KLV LQFOXGHG D UHGXFWLRQ statutory rate for corporation tax has in the main rate of corporation tax from fallen, other changes to the tax system 28% to 24% over the course of four have resulted in an increase in the years from April 2011. A reduction in amount of tax paid by our case study the small companies rate to 20% is also company. The reduction in the rate at planned from April 2011. Both these which capital allowances can be claimed measures are aimed at ensuring the UK IRU WKH SXUFKDVH RI [HG DVVHWV DQG tax system remains attractive alongside equipment has had a particular impact. peer group economies. The number of payments in the UK has However, the rate at which capital UHPDLQHG FRQVWDQW DW HLJKW UH HFWLQJ WKH allowance deductions are available for SD\PHQW RI RQH SUR W WD[ FRUSRUDWLRQ capital spend will also fall further to tax), one labour tax (national insurance EHWWHU UH HFW HFRQRPLF GHSUHFLDWLRQ contributions), and six other taxes rates. And the rates for Insurance LQFOXGLQJ 9$7 EXVLQHVV UDWHV ODQG OO Premium Tax and VAT are due to tax, vehicle licence tax, insurance increase from January next year, along premium tax and fuel duty). However, ZLWK WKH UDWH IRU ODQG OO WD[ IURP the UK has fallen behind other countries $SULOb which have improved their systems with HOHFWURQLF OLQJ DQG MRLQWbSD\PHQWV Paying Taxes 2011 71 Zambia 2011 2006 Total Tax Rate 16.1% 16.5% Number of hours 132 132 Number of payments 37 37 Incentives for In addition to its 12 VAT payments, business investment TaxpayerCo also has 12 payments to PDNH IRU SHQVLRQ FRQWULEXWLRQV YH payments for corporate income tax, four motor vehicle license payments, and one payment each for interest and medical levy, property transfer, workers compensation and fuel tax. Efforts have Jyoti Mistry, PwC Zambia been made to ease the burden of paying these taxes, with the introduction of an The Paying Taxes results for Zambia electronic payment system which allows have changed little since 2006. The companies to pay their tax by electronic Total Tax Rate (TTR) has reduced only transfer. But the payments indicator for slightly, while there has been no change Zambia in the Paying Taxes study is still in the time to comply or in the number high, as the country does not yet have an RIbSD\PHQWV HOHFWURQLF OLQJ V\VWHP The low TTR is largely a result of Tax policy is on the Zambian the government prioritising the government’s agenda and following manufacturing industry as a potential the introduction of the Customer JURZWK DUHD $ QXPEHU RI VFDO Charter by the revenue authority in incentives have been granted including 2009, there are continuing efforts being 50% capital allowances, a 10% initial made to improve service delivery for allowance on investments in industrial the taxpayer. The charter sets out a buildings, and a 10% investment FRPPLWPHQW WR LPSURYH HI FLHQF\ ZLWK allowance. These incentives drive down some minimum standards. It remains the corporate income tax element of the to be seen whether these initiatives TTR so that the effective rate is much improve the tax environment for lower than the statutory corporate FRPSDQLHV OLNHb7D[SD\HU&R income tax rate (referred to on page 32 of this publication). Although not applicable to our case study company, there are additional incentives available to the manufacturing sector, with the statutory corporate income tax rate reduced to 15% for income relating to WKH H[SRUW RI QRQWUDGLWLRQDO SURGXFWV The government has also implemented incentive regimes in relation to the tax cost focused on sectors such as mining, agriculture, and tourism. With mining being the major source of foreign exchange for the country, and with the recent copper price recovery on international markets, government has come under increasing pressure to reintroduce the windfall tax on mining SUR WV WR LQFUHDVH WKH WD[ WDNH IURP WKLVbVHFWRU 72 Paying Taxes 2011 Paying Taxes 2011 73 Appendix 1: The Paying Taxes methodology The Paying Taxes methodology Doing Business records the taxes Figure A1.1 and mandatory contributions that a Paying Taxes: tax compliance for a local manufacturing company medium-size company must pay in a Rankings are based on three sub-indicators given year as well as measuring the administrative burden of paying taxes and contributions. The project was Time (33.3%): developed and implemented by the Number of hours per year to prepare, ï¬?le returns and pay taxes World Bank and IFC in cooperation with PwC. Taxes and contributions measured LQFOXGH SUR W RU FRUSRUDWH LQFRPH WD[ social contributions and labour taxes Total Tax Rate (33.3%): Firm tax liability as % of SDLG E\ WKH HPSOR\HU SURSHUW\ WD[HV proï¬?ts before all taxes borne SURSHUW\ WUDQVIHU WD[HV GLYLGHQG WD[ FDSLWDO JDLQV WD[ QDQFLDO WUDQVDFWLRQV WD[ ZDVWH FROOHFWLRQ WD[HV YHKLFOH DQG URDG WD[HV DQG DQ\ RWKHU VPDOO WD[HV or fees. The ranking on the ease of paying taxes is the simple average of the percentile rankings on its component Payments (33.3%): indicators (see diagram opposite). Number of tax payments per year 74 Paying Taxes 2011 Doing Business measures all taxes and Doing Business uses a case study scenario contributions that are government- to measure the taxes and contributions PDQGDWHG ZKHWKHU IHGHUDO VWDWH paid by a standardised business and RU ORFDO  DQG ZKLFK DSSO\ WR WKH the complexity of an economy’s tax standardised business and have an compliance system. This case scenario LPSDFW LQ LWV QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV ,Q XVHV D VHW RI QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV DQG GRLQJ VR Doing Business goes beyond assumptions about transactions made WKH WUDGLWLRQDO GH QLWLRQ RI D WD[ $V over the year. Tax experts from a number GH QHG IRU WKH SXUSRVHV RI JRYHUQPHQW RI GLIIHUHQW UPV LQ HDFK HFRQRP\ QDWLRQDO DFFRXQWV WD[HV LQFOXGH RQO\ LQFOXGLQJ 3Z&  FRPSXWH WKH WD[HV DQG FRPSXOVRU\ XQUHTXLWHG SD\PHQWV WR mandatory contributions due in their general government. Doing Business MXULVGLFWLRQ EDVHG RQ WKH VWDQGDUGLVHG GHSDUWV IURP WKLV GH QLWLRQ EHFDXVH LW case study facts. Information is also measures imposed charges that affect FRPSLOHG RQ WKH IUHTXHQF\ RI OLQJ DQG EXVLQHVV DFFRXQWV QRW JRYHUQPHQW SD\PHQWV DV ZHOO DV WKH WLPH WDNHQ WR accounts. The main differences relate comply with tax laws in an economy. to labour contributions. The Doing Business measure includes government- The timeline overleaf summarises the mandated contributions paid by the annual process for collecting the Paying HPSOR\HU WR D UHTXLWHG SULYDWH SHQVLRQ Taxes data. fund or workers’ insurance fund. 7KH LQGLFDWRU LQFOXGHV IRU H[DPSOH $XVWUDOLD V FRPSXOVRU\ VXSHUDQQXDWLRQ guarantee and workers’ compensation LQVXUDQFH ,W VKRXOG DOVR EH QRWHG WKDW for the purpose of calculating the Total 7D[ 5DWH 775 GH QHG ODWHU LQ WKLV VHFWLRQ  RQO\ WD[HV ERUQH DUH LQFOXGHG )RU H[DPSOH YDOXH DGGHG WD[HV DUH generally excluded (provided they are not irrecoverable) because they GR QRW DIIHFW WKH DFFRXQWLQJ SUR WV RI WKH EXVLQHVV WKDW LV WKH\ DUH QRW UH HFWHG LQ WKH LQFRPH VWDWHPHQW 7KH\ are however included for the purpose of the compliance measures (time and payments) as they add to the burden of complying with the tax system. Paying Taxes 2011 75 Figure A1.2 Timeline summarising the annual process for collecting the Paying Taxes data January February March April May June Dialogue with governments on the results for individual economies and regions Input from users of the publication and other interested parties including international organisations and institutions Questionnaire is Distribution of the Completion of the Any suggested changes to the indicators are reviewed by the World questionnaire by questionnaire by investigated further with the contributors and then Bank, IFC and PwC the World Bank contributors with a veriï¬?ed with other third party contributors. The Paying Taxes teams. and IFC team to facility to raise queries change is only made if it is substantiated. the contributors with the World Bank Finalisation and input of the data into the World Improvements to in each economy, and IFC. Bank and IFC model. indicator and non- including PwC. indicator questions Review of the questionnaires submitted by the implemented. World Bank and IFC team. Identiï¬?cation of issues arising from the data, and investigation of these Clearance of revised with the contributors (typically there are four questionnaire by rounds of interaction between the contributors World Bank and IFC and the World Bank and IFC team). management team. Calculation and ï¬?nalisation of the indicators and rankings. Clearance of these ï¬?gures with the World Bank and IFC management. To make the data comparable across Assumptions about performs general industrial or HFRQRPLHV D QXPEHU RI DVVXPSWLRQV WKHbEXVLQHVV FRPPHUFLDO DFWLYLWLHV 6SHFL FDOO\ about the business and the taxes and The business: LW SURGXFHV FHUDPLF RZHUSRWV contributions are used. LV D OLPLWHG OLDELOLW\ WD[DEOH FRPSDQ\ and sells them at retail. It does not If there is more than one type of participate in foreign trade (no limited liability company in the import or export) and does not HFRQRP\ WKH OLPLWHG OLDELOLW\ IRUP handle products subject to a special PRVW SRSXODU DPRQJ GRPHVWLF UPV WD[ UHJLPH IRU H[DPSOH OLTXRU is chosen. The most popular form is RUbWREDFFR  reported by incorporation lawyers or DW WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI  RZQV WKH VWDWLVWLFDO RI FH WZR SORWV RI ODQG RQH EXLOGLQJ started operations on 1 January 2008. PDFKLQHU\ RI FH HTXLSPHQW $W WKDW WLPH WKH FRPSDQ\ SXUFKDVHG computers and one truck. It also all the assets shown in its balance leases one truck. VKHHW DQG KLUHG DOO LWVbZRUNHUV GRHV QRW TXDOLI\ IRU LQYHVWPHQW operates in the economy’s largest LQFHQWLYHV RU DQ\ EHQH WV DSDUW IURP business city. those related to the age or size of is 100% domestically owned and WKHbFRPSDQ\ KDV YH RZQHUV DOO RI ZKRP DUH QDWXUDObSHUVRQV has a start-up capital of 102 times income per capita at the end of 2008. 76 Paying Taxes 2011 July August September October November December Feedback of the ï¬?nal results to government Drafting of the Paying Taxes publication. Launch of the Doing representatives. Business report and online data. Feedback of the ï¬?nal results to the contributors Launch of the Paying Taxes report and online Drafting of the World Bank and IFC Paying Taxes data. Regional launch events for the Paying chapter for inclusion in the Doing Business Taxes report. publication and clearance with World Bank and IFC management. Independent PwC analysis of indicator and non-indicator data to determine a PwC perspective. Focus on geographical and economic groupings. KDV  HPSOR\HHV IRXU PDQDJHUV PDNHV D ORVV LQ WKH UVW \HDU Assumptions about the taxes HLJKW DVVLVWDQWV DQG  ZRUNHUV $OO RIbRSHUDWLRQ and contributions DUH QDWLRQDOV DQG RQH PDQDJHU LV has a gross margin (pre-tax) of 20% $OO WKH WD[HV DQG FRQWULEXWLRQV also an owner. The company pays (i.e. sales are 120% of the cost of recorded are those paid in the an additional medical insurance goods sold). second year of operation (calendar for employees (not mandated by GLVWULEXWHV  RI LWV QHW SUR WV DV \HDU   $ WD[ RU FRQWULEXWLRQ DQ\ ODZ DV DQ DGGLWLRQDO EHQH W dividends to the owners at the end of is considered distinct if it has a ,Q DGGLWLRQ LQ VRPH HFRQRPLHV the second year. different name or is collected reimbursable business travel and VHOOV RQH RI LWV SORWV RI ODQG DW D SUR W by a different agency. Taxes and client entertainment expenses are at the beginning of the second year. contributions with the same name FRQVLGHUHG IULQJH EHQH WV :KHQ has annual fuel costs for its trucks DQG DJHQF\ EXW ZKLFK DUH FKDUJHG DSSOLFDEOH ZH DVVXPH WKDW WKH HTXDO WR WZLFH LQFRPH SHU FDSLWD at different rates depending on the FRPSDQ\ SD\V WKH IULQJH EHQH W WD[ is subject to a series of detailed EXVLQHVV DUH FRXQWHG DV WKH VDPH WD[ RQ WKLV H[SHQVH RU WKDW WKH EHQH W assumptions on expenses and RU bFRQWULEXWLRQ becomes taxable income for the transactions to further standardise The number of times the company employee. The case study assumes no WKH FDVH $OO QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQW pays taxes and contributions in DGGLWLRQDO VDODU\ DGGLWLRQV IRU PHDOV YDULDEOHV DUH SURSRUWLRQDO WR  a year is the number of different WUDQVSRUWDWLRQ HGXFDWLRQ RU RWKHUV LQFRPH SHU FDSLWD )RU H[DPSOH taxes or contributions multiplied 7KHUHIRUH HYHQ ZKHQ VXFK EHQH WV the owner (who is also a manager) E\ WKH IUHTXHQF\ RI SD\PHQW RU DUH IUHTXHQW WKH\ DUH QRW DGGHG WR spends 10% of income per capita withholding) for each tax. The or removed from the taxable gross on travelling for the company IUHTXHQF\ RI SD\PHQW LQFOXGHV salaries to arrive at the labour tax or (20% of this owner’s expenses advance payments (or withholding) contribution calculation. DUH SXUHO\ SULYDWH  DUH IRU as well as regular payments KDV D WXUQRYHU RI  WLPHV LQFRPH entertaining customers and 60% for RUbZLWKKROGLQJ  per capita. EXVLQHVVbWUDYHO  Paying Taxes 2011 77 What does Paying Taxes Time measure? Time is recorded in hours per year. The indicator measures the time taken to Tax Payments SUHSDUH OH DQG SD\ WKUHH PDMRU W\SHV 7KH WD[ SD\PHQWV LQGLFDWRU UH HFWV WKH of taxes and contributions: corporate total number of taxes and contributions LQFRPH WD[ YDOXH DGGHG RU VDOHV WD[ SDLG WKH PHWKRG RI SD\PHQW WKH DQG ODERXU WD[HV LQFOXGLQJ SD\UROO WD[HV IUHTXHQF\ RI SD\PHQW WKH IUHTXHQF\ and social contributions. Preparation RI OLQJ DQG WKH QXPEHU RI DJHQFLHV time includes the time to collect all involved for this standardised case study information needed to compute the tax company during the second year of payable and to calculate the amount RSHUDWLRQ VHH JXUH $  ,W LQFOXGHV payable. If separate accounting books are FRQVXPSWLRQ WD[HV SDLG E\ WKH FRPSDQ\ UHTXLUHG IRU WD[ SXUSRVHV RU VHSDUDWH such as sales tax or value added tax. calculations made – the time associated These taxes are traditionally collected with these processes is included. This from the consumer on behalf of the tax extra time is included only if the regular DJHQFLHV $OWKRXJK WKH\ GR QRW DIIHFW DFFRXQWLQJ ZRUN LV QRW HQRXJK WR IXO O WKH LQFRPH VWDWHPHQWV RI WKH FRPSDQ\ WKH WD[ DFFRXQWLQJ UHTXLUHPHQWV )LOLQJ they add to the administrative burden of time includes the time to complete all complying with the tax system and so are QHFHVVDU\ WD[ UHWXUQ IRUPV DQG OH WKH included in the tax payments measure. relevant returns at the tax authority. Payment time considers the hours The number of payments takes into needed to make the payment online or DFFRXQW HOHFWURQLF OLQJ :KHUH IXOO at the tax authorities. Where taxes and HOHFWURQLF OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW LV DOORZHG FRQWULEXWLRQV DUH SDLG LQ SHUVRQ WKH and it is used by the majority of medium- time includes delays while waiting. VL]H EXVLQHVVHV WKH WD[ LV FRXQWHG DV SDLG RQFH D \HDU HYHQ LI OLQJV DQG SD\PHQWV DUH PRUH IUHTXHQW )RU Figure A1.3 SD\PHQWV PDGH WKURXJK WKLUG SDUWLHV What do the Paying Taxes sub-indicators measure? VXFK DV WD[ RQ LQWHUHVW SDLG E\ D QDQFLDO Tax payments for a manufacturing company in 2009 (number per year adjusted for electronic or joing ï¬?ling and payment) institution or fuel tax paid by a fuel GLVWULEXWRU RQO\ RQH SD\PHQW LV LQFOXGHG Total number of taxes and contributions paid, including consumption taxes (value added tax, sales tax or goods and service tax) HYHQ LI SD\PHQWV DUH PRUH IUHTXHQW Method and frequency of ï¬?ling and payment Time required to comply with three major taxes (hours per year) Where two or more taxes or FRQWULEXWLRQV DUH OHG IRU DQG SDLG Collecting information and computing the tax payable MRLQWO\ XVLQJ WKH VDPH IRUP HDFK RI Completing tax return forms, ï¬?ling with proper agencies these joint payments is counted once. Arranging payment or withholding )RU H[DPSOH LI PDQGDWRU\ KHDOWK Preparing seperate tax accounting books, if required insurance contributions and mandatory Total Tax Rate (% of proï¬?t) SHQVLRQ FRQWULEXWLRQV DUH OHG IRU Proï¬?t or corporate income tax DQG SDLG WRJHWKHU RQO\ RQH RI WKHVH Social contributions and labour taxes paid by the employer contributions would be included in the Property and property transfer taxes number of payments. Dividend, capital gains and ï¬?nancial transactions taxes Waste collection, vehicle, road and other taxes 78 Paying Taxes 2011 Total Tax Rate (TTR) Figure A1.4 The TTR measures the amount of Computing the TTR for Sweden taxes and mandatory contributions Statutory Statutory tax Actual tax Commercial borne by the business in the second rate (r) base (b) payable (a) proï¬?t* (c) TTR (t) \HDU RI RSHUDWLRQ H[SUHVVHG DV D VKDUH a=rxb t = a/c RI FRPPHUFLDO SUR W Doing Business Type of tax (tax base) SKr SKr SKr 2011 reports the TTR for calendar Corporate income tax 28% 10,330,966 2,892,670 17,619,223 16.4% year 2009. The total amount of taxes (taxable income) borne is the sum of all the different Real estate tax (land and 0.38% 26,103,545 97,888 17,619,223 0.6% taxes and contributions payable after buildings) accounting for allowable deductions and Payroll tax (taxable wages) 32.42% 19,880,222 6,445,168 17,619,223 36.6% exemptions. The taxes withheld (such Fuel tax (fuel price) SKr 4.16 45,565 litres 189,550 17,619,223 1.1% as personal income tax) or collected by per litre the company and remitted to the tax Total 9,625,276 54.6% DXWKRULWLHV VXFK DV YDOXH DGGHG WD[ *Proï¬?t before all taxes borne sales tax or goods and service tax) but Note: SKr is Swedish kronor. Commercial proï¬?t is assumed to be 59.4 times income per capita Source: Doing Business database. ZKLFK DUH QRW ERUQH E\ WKH FRPSDQ\ are excluded. The taxes included FDQ EH GLYLGHG LQWR YH FDWHJRULHV SUR W RU FRUSRUDWH LQFRPH WD[ VRFLDO &RPPHUFLDO SUR W LV FRPSXWHG DV contributions and labour taxes paid by VDOHV PLQXV FRVW RI JRRGV VROG PLQXV the employer (in respect of which all JURVV VDODULHV PLQXV DGPLQLVWUDWLYH PDQGDWRU\ FRQWULEXWLRQV DUH LQFOXGHG H[SHQVHV PLQXV RWKHU H[SHQVHV even if paid to a private entity such PLQXV SURYLVLRQV SOXV FDSLWDO JDLQV DV D UHTXLWHG SHQVLRQ IXQG  SURSHUW\ (from the property sale) minus interest WD[HV WXUQRYHU WD[HV DQG RWKHU WD[HV H[SHQVH SOXV LQWHUHVW LQFRPH DQG PLQXV (such as municipal fees and vehicle and commercial depreciation. To compute IXHObWD[HV  WKH FRPPHUFLDO GHSUHFLDWLRQ D VWUDLJKW OLQH GHSUHFLDWLRQ PHWKRG LV DSSOLHG ZLWK The TTR is designed to provide a WKH IROORZLQJ UDWHV  IRU WKH ODQG  comprehensive measure of the cost of IRU WKH EXLOGLQJ  IRU WKH PDFKLQHU\ all the taxes a business bears. It differs  IRU WKH FRPSXWHUV  IRU WKH IURP WKH VWDWXWRU\ WD[ UDWH ZKLFK RI FH HTXLSPHQW  IRU WKH WUXFN DQG merely provides the factor to be applied 10% for business development expenses. WR WKH WD[ EDVH ,Q FRPSXWLQJ WKH 775 &RPPHUFLDO SUR W DPRXQWV WR  WLPHV the actual tax payable is divided by income per capita. FRPPHUFLDO SUR W 'DWD IRU 6ZHGHQ LV VKRZQ LQ JXUH $ WR LOOXVWUDWH The methodology for calculating the WKHbFDOFXODWLRQ TTR is broadly consistent with the Total Tax Contribution framework developed &RPPHUFLDO SUR W LV HVVHQWLDOO\ QHW by PwC and the calculation within this SUR W EHIRUH DOO WD[HV ERUQH ,W GLIIHUV framework for taxes borne. But while IURP WKH FRQYHQWLRQDO SUR W EHIRUH the work undertaken by PwC is usually WD[ UHSRUWHG LQ QDQFLDO VWDWHPHQWV based on data received from the largest ,Q FRPSXWLQJ SUR W EHIRUH WD[ PDQ\ RI FRPSDQLHV LQ WKH HFRQRP\ Doing WKH WD[HV ERUQH E\ D UP DUH GHGXFWLEOH Business focuses on a case study for a ,Q FRPSXWLQJ FRPPHUFLDO SUR W WKHVH standardised medium-size company. taxes are not deductible. Commercial SUR W WKHUHIRUH SUHVHQWV D FOHDU SLFWXUH RI WKH DFWXDO SUR W RI D EXVLQHVV EHIRUH any of the taxes it bears in the course of WKH VFDO \HDU Paying Taxes 2011 79 Appendix 2: About Doing Business: measuring for impact About Doing Business: The Doing Business project, initiated nine years ago, goes one step further. It measuring for impact looks at domestic small and medium-size companies and measures the regulations applying to them through their life cycle. Commentary from the Doing Business and the standard cost model initially developed and applied in World Bank and IFC the Netherlands are, for the present, the only standard tools used across a broad range of jurisdictions to measure the impact of government rule-making on the cost of doing business. Governments committed to the economic 7KH UVW Doing Business report, published health of their country and opportunities LQ  FRYHUHG YH LQGLFDWRU VHWV DQG for its citizens focus on more than  HFRQRPLHV 7KH Doing Business macroeconomic conditions. They also  UHSRUW FRYHUV  LQGLFDWRU VHWV DQG pay attention to the laws, regulations  HFRQRPLHV Doing Business takes and institutional arrangements that the perspective of domestic, primarily VKDSH GDLO\ HFRQRPLFbDFWLYLW\ smaller companies and measures the regulations applying to them through 7KH JOREDO QDQFLDO FULVLV KDV UHQHZHG their life cycle. Economies are ranked interest in good rules and regulation. on the basis of nine areas of regulation In times of recession, effective business – for starting a business, dealing with regulation and institutions can construction permits, registering support economic adjustment. Easy property, getting credit, protecting HQWU\ DQG H[LW RI UPV DQG H[LELOLW\ investors, paying taxes, trading across in redeploying resources, make it borders, enforcing contracts and easier to stop doing things for which closing a business. In addition, data are demand has weakened and to start presented for regulations on employing GRLQJ QHZ WKLQJV &ODUL FDWLRQ RI workers and, for a set of pilot indicators, property rights and strengthening of on getting electricity. The project market infrastructure (such as credit KDV EHQH WHG IURP IHHGEDFN IURP information and collateral systems) can governments, academics, practitioners FRQWULEXWH WR FRQ GHQFH DV LQYHVWRUV DQG and reviewers.2 The initial goal entrepreneurs look to rebuild. remains: to provide an objective basis for understanding and improving the Until recently, however, there were regulatory environment for business. no globally available indicator sets for monitoring such microeconomic factors and analysing their relevance. 7KH UVW HIIRUWV LQ WKH V GUHZ RQ perceptions data from expert or business surveys. Such surveys are useful gauges of economic and policy conditions. But their reliance on perceptions and their incomplete coverage of poor countries constrain their usefulness for analysis. 80 Paying Taxes 2011 What Doing Business covers What Doing Business does Doing Business provides a quantitative QRWbFRYHU measure of regulations for starting a Just as important as knowing what Doing business, dealing with construction Business does is to know what it does not permits, registering property, getting do – to understand what limitations must credit, protecting investors, paying EH NHSW LQ PLQG LQ LQWHUSUHWLQJ WKHbGDWD taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and closing a business – as they Limited in scope apply to domestic small and medium-size Doing Business IRFXVHV RQ  WRSLFV enterprises. It also looks at regulations ZLWK WKH VSHFL F DLP RI PHDVXULQJ WKH on employing workers as well as a new regulation and red tape relevant to the measure on getting electricity. life cycle of a domestic small to medium- VL]H UP $FFRUGLQJO\ A fundamental premise of Doing Business is that economic activity requires good Doing Business does not measure all rules. These include rules that establish aspects of the business environment and clarify property rights and reduce WKDW PDWWHU WR UPV RU LQYHVWRUV RU the cost of resolving disputes, rules all factors that affect competitiveness. that increase the predictability of It does not, for example, measure economic interactions and rules that security, macroeconomic stability, provide contractual partners with core corruption, the labour skills of protections against abuse. The objective: the population, the underlying UHJXODWLRQV GHVLJQHG WR EH HI FLHQW LQ strength of institutions or the their implementation, to be accessible quality of infrastructure.5 Nor does to all who need to use them and to LW IRFXV RQ UHJXODWLRQV VSHFL F WR be simple in their implementation. IRUHLJQbLQYHVWPHQW Accordingly, some Doing Business Doing Business does not assess the indicators give a higher score for VWUHQJWK RI WKH QDQFLDO V\VWHP RU more regulation, such as stricter market regulations, both important disclosure requirements in related-party factors in understanding some of transactions. Some give a higher score the underlying causes of the global IRU D VLPSOL HG ZD\ RI LPSOHPHQWLQJ QDQFLDO FULVLV existing regulation, such as completing Doing Business does not cover all business start-up formalities in a one- regulations, or all regulatory goals, stop shop. in any economy. As economies and technology advance, more areas The Doing Business project encompasses of economic activity are being WZR W\SHV RI GDWD 7KH UVW FRPH IURP regulated. For example, the European readings of laws and regulations. The Union’s body of laws (acquis) has second are time and motion indicators QRZ JURZQ WR QR IHZHU WKDQ  WKDW PHDVXUH WKH HI FLHQF\ LQ DFKLHYLQJ rule sets. Doing Business covers a regulatory goal (such as granting the  DUHDV RI D FRPSDQ\ V OLIH F\FOH legal identity of a business). Within WKURXJK  VSHFL F VHWV RI LQGLFDWRUV the time and motion indicators, cost These indicator sets do not cover all HVWLPDWHV DUH UHFRUGHG IURP RI FLDO aspects of regulation in the area of fee schedules where applicable. Here, focus. For example, the indicators Doing Business builds on Hernando de on starting a business or protecting Soto’s pioneering work in applying the investors do not cover all aspects WLPH DQG PRWLRQ DSSURDFK UVW XVHG E\ of commercial legislation. The Frederick Taylor to revolutionise the employing workers indicators do not production of the Model T Ford. De Soto cover all areas of labour regulation. XVHG WKH DSSURDFK LQ WKH V WR VKRZ The current indicator set does not the obstacles to setting up a garment include, for example, measures of factory on the outskirts of Lima.4 regulations addressing safety at work or the right of collective bargaining. 1 The standard cost model is a quantitative methodology for determining the administrative burdens that regulation imposes on businesses. The method can be used to measure the effect of a single law or of selected areas of legislation or to perform a baseline measurement of all legislation in a country. 2 This has included a review by the World Bank Independent Evaluation Group (2008) as well as ongoing input from the International Tax Dialogue. 3 Local experts in 183 economies are surveyed annually to collect and update the data. The local experts for each economy are listed on the Doing Business website (http://www.doingbusiness.org). 4 De Soto (2000). 5 The indicators related to trading across borders and dealing with construction permits and the pilot indicators on getting electricity take into account limited aspects of an economy’s infrastructure, including the inland transport of goods and utility connections for businesses. Paying Taxes 2011 81 Based on standardised Where regulation is particularly FDVHbVFHQDULRV onerous, levels of informality are higher. Doing Business indicators are built on ,QIRUPDOLW\ FRPHV DW D FRVW UPV LQ the basis of standardised case scenarios the informal sector typically grow more ZLWK VSHFL F DVVXPSWLRQV VXFK DV WKH slowly, have poorer access to credit business being located in the largest and employ fewer workers – and their business city of the economy. Economic workers remain outside the protections indicators commonly make limiting of labour law.7 Doing Business measures DVVXPSWLRQV RI WKLV NLQG ,Q DWLRQ one set of factors that help explain the statistics, for example, are often based occurrence of informality and give on prices of consumer goods in a few policymakers insights into potential urban areas. areas of reform. Gaining a fuller understanding of the broader business Such assumptions allow global coverage environment, and a broader perspective and enhance comparability. But they on policy challenges, requires combining come at the expense of generality. Doing insights from Doing Business with data Business recognises the limitations from other sources, such as the World of including data on only the largest Bank Enterprise Surveys. business city. Business regulation and its enforcement, particularly in Methodology and data federal states and large economies, Doing Business FRYHUV  HFRQRPLHV differ across the country. And of course – including small economies and some the challenges and opportunities of of the poorest countries, for which little the largest business city – whether or no data are available in other data Mumbai or São Paulo, Nuku’alofa or sets. The Doing Business data are based Nassau – vary greatly across countries. on domestic laws and regulations as Recognising governments’ interest well as administrative requirements. in such variation, Doing Business has (For a detailed explanation of the Doing complemented its global indicators with Business methodology, see subnational studies in such countries www.doingbusiness.org/methodology) as Brazil, China, Colombia, the Arab Republic of Egypt, India, Indonesia, Information sources for the data Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Most of the indicators are based on laws 3DNLVWDQ DQG WKHb3KLOLSSLQHV6 and regulations. In addition, most of the FRVW LQGLFDWRUV DUH EDFNHG E\ RI FLDO IHH In areas where regulation is complex and schedules. Doing Business respondents highly differentiated, the standardised ERWK OO RXW ZULWWHQ VXUYH\V DQG case used to construct the Doing Business provide references to the relevant laws, LQGLFDWRU QHHGV WR EH FDUHIXOO\ GH QHG regulations and fee schedules, aiding Where relevant, the standardised case data checking and quality assurance. assumes a limited liability company. This choice is in part empirical: private, For some indicators – for example, the limited liability companies are the indicators on dealing with construction most prevalent business form in most permits, enforcing contracts and economies around the world. The closing a business – part of the cost FKRLFH DOVR UH HFWV RQH IRFXV RI Doing component (where fee schedules are Business: expanding opportunities lacking) and the time component are for entrepreneurship. Investors are based on actual practice rather than encouraged to venture into business the law on the books. This introduces when potential losses are limited to their a degree of subjectivity. The Doing capital participation. Business approach has therefore been to work with legal practitioners or Focused on the formal sector professionals who regularly undertake In constructing the indicators, Doing the transactions involved. Following Business assumes that entrepreneurs are the standard methodological approach knowledgeable about all regulations in for time and motion studies, Doing place and comply with them. In practice, Business breaks down each process or entrepreneurs may spend considerable transaction, such as starting and legally WLPH QGLQJ RXW ZKHUH WR JR DQG ZKDW operating a business, into separate steps documents to submit. Or they may avoid to ensure a better estimate of time. The legally required procedures altogether time estimate for each step is given by – by not registering for social security, SUDFWLWLRQHUV ZLWK VLJQL FDQW DQG URXWLQH IRUbH[DPSOH experience in the transaction. 82 Paying Taxes. November 2010 Over the past eight years, more Doing Business also continues to WKDQ  SURIHVVLRQDOV LQ  EHQH W IURP GLVFXVVLRQV ZLWK H[WHUQDO economies have assisted in providing stakeholders, including participants in the data that inform the Doing Business the International Tax Dialogue, on the indicators. The Doing Business website survey instrument and methodology. indicates the number of respondents for each economy and each indicator. All changes in methodology are Respondents are professionals or explained on the Doing Business website. JRYHUQPHQW RI FLDOV ZKR URXWLQHO\ In addition, data time series for each administer or advise on the legal and indicator and economy are available on regulatory requirements covered in WKH ZHEVLWH EHJLQQLQJ ZLWK WKH UVW \HDU each Doing Business topic. Because the indicator or economy was included of the focus on legal and regulatory in the report. To provide a comparable arrangements, most of the respondents time series for research, the data set is are lawyers. The credit information back-calculated to adjust for changes in VXUYH\ LV DQVZHUHG E\ RI FLDOV RI WKH methodology and any revisions in data credit registry or bureau. Freight due to corrections. The website also forwarders, accountants, architects and makes available all original data sets other professionals answer the surveys used for background papers. related to trading across borders, taxes and construction permits. Information on data corrections is provided on the website. A transparent The Doing Business approach to complaint procedure allows anyone data collection contrasts with that to challenge the data. If errors are RI HQWHUSULVH RU UP VXUYH\V ZKLFK FRQ UPHG DIWHU D GDWD YHUL FDWLRQ capture often one-time perceptions and SURFHVV WKH\ DUH H[SHGLWLRXVO\bFRUUHFWHG experiences of businesses. A corporate ODZ\HU UHJLVWHULQJ   EXVLQHVVHV a year will be more familiar with the process than an entrepreneur, who will register a business only once or maybe twice. A bankruptcy judge deciding dozens of cases a year will have more insight into bankruptcy than a company that may undergo the process. Development of the methodology The methodology for calculating each indicator is transparent, objective and easily replicable. Leading academics collaborate in the development of the indicators, ensuring academic rigour. Eight of the background papers underlying the indicators have been published in leading economic journals. Doing Business uses a simple averaging approach for weighting component indicators and calculating rankings. Other approaches were explored, including using principal components and unobserved components. They turn out to yield results nearly identical to those of simple averaging. The nine sets RI LQGLFDWRUV SURYLGH VXI FLHQWO\ EURDG coverage across topics. Therefore, the simple averaging approach is used. 6 http://www.doingbusiness.org/Subnational/. 7 Schneider (2005). 8 http://www.enterprisesurveys.org. Paying Taxes 2011 83 Appendix 3: The Paying Taxes reforms The Paying Taxes reforms Summarised by the World Bank and IFC These reforms were implemented between June 2009 and May 2010. Key Doing Business reform making it easier to pay taxes (as measured by the indicators) Doing Business reform making it more difï¬?cult to pay taxes (as measured by the indicators) 84 Paying Taxes 2011 Albania Burundi Albania made it easier and less costly Burundi made paying taxes simpler by for companies to pay taxes by amending replacing the transactions tax with a several laws, reducing social security value added tax. contributions and introducing electronic OLQJ DQG SD\PHQW Canada Azerbaijan Canada harmonised the Ontario and federal tax returns and reduced the A revision of Azerbaijan’s tax code corporate and employee tax rates. lowered several tax rates, including the SUR W WD[ UDWH DQG VLPSOL HG WKH SURFHVV Cape Verde of paying corporate income tax and value added tax. Cape Verde abolished the stamp duties Belarus on sales and cheques. Chad Reductions in the turnover tax, social security contributions and the base for property taxes along with continued Chad increased taxes on business HIIRUWV WR HQFRXUDJH HOHFWURQLF OLQJ through changes to its social security made it easier and less costly for contribution rates. companies in Belarus to pay taxes. China Bosnia and Herzegovina China’s new corporate income tax law %RVQLD DQG +HU]HJRYLQD VLPSOL HG LWV XQL HG WKH WD[ UHJLPHV IRU GRPHVWLF labour tax processes, reduced employer DQG IRUHLJQ HQWHUSULVHV DQG FODUL HG contribution rates for social security and the calculation of taxable income for abolished its payroll tax. corporate income tax purposes. Brunei Darussalam Congo, Rep. Brunei Darussalam reduced the The Republic of Congo reduced its corporate income tax rate from 23.5% to corporate income tax rate from 38% to 22% while also introducing a lower tax 36% in 2010. rate for small businesses, ranging from 5.5% to 11%. Czech Republic Bulgaria 7KH &]HFK 5HSXEOLF VLPSOL HG LWV ODERXU tax processes and reduced employer Bulgaria reduced employer contribution contribution rates for social security. rates for social security. Estonia Burkina Faso Estonia increased the unemployment Burkina Faso reduced the statutory insurance contribution rate. corporate income tax rate and the number of taxes for business and introduced simpler, uniform FRPSOLDQFHbSURFHGXUHV Paying Taxes 2011 85 Hong Kong SAR, China Macedonia, FYR Summary of the paying taxes reforms continued Hong Kong SAR (China) abolished the FYR Macedonia lowered tax costs fuel tax on diesel. for businesses by requiring that corporate income tax be paid only on Hungary GLVWULEXWHGbSUR WV Madagascar +XQJDU\ VLPSOL HG WD[HV DQG WD[ EDVHV Iceland Madagascar continued to reduce corporate tax rates. Iceland increased the corporate Mauritius income tax rate from 15% to 18% and raised social security and pension FRQWULEXWLRQbUDWHV Mauritius introduced a new corporate social responsibility tax. India Mexico India reduced the administrative burden of paying taxes by abolishing Mexico increased taxes on companies WKH IULQJH EHQH W WD[ DQG LPSURYLQJ by raising several tax rates, including HOHFWURQLFbSD\PHQW the corporate income tax and the rate on cash deposits. At the same time, the Indonesia administrative burden has continued to decrease with more options for online payment and increased use of DFFRXQWLQJbVRIWZDUH Indonesia reduced its corporate income tax rate. Moldova Jordan Moldova reduced employer contribution rates for social security. Jordan abolished certain taxes and made LW SRVVLEOH WR OH LQFRPH DQG VDOHV WD[ returns electronically. Montenegro Kenya An amendment to Montenegro’s corporate income tax law removed the obligation for advance payments and Kenya increased the administrative abolished the construction land charge. burden of paying taxes by requiring TXDUWHUO\ OLQJ RI SD\UROO WD[HV Netherlands Lao PDR The Netherlands reduced the frequency RI OLQJ DQG SD\LQJ YDOXH DGGHG WD[HV Lao PDR replaced the business turnover from monthly to quarterly and allowed tax with a new value added tax. small entities to use their annual accounts as the basis for computing their Lithuania corporate income tax. Lithuania reduced corporate tax rates. 86 Paying Taxes 2011 Nicaragua Seychelles Tunisia Tunisia introduced the use of electronic 1LFDUDJXD LQFUHDVHG WD[HV RQ UPV E\ The Seychelles removed the tax-free systems for payment of corporate income raising social security contribution rates threshold limit and lowered corporate tax and value added tax. and introducing a 10% withholding income tax rates. tax on the gross interest accrued from deposits. It also improved electronic Ukraine Sierra Leone payment of taxes through bank transfer. Niger Ukraine eased tax compliance by Sierra Leone replaced sales and service introducing and continually enhancing taxes with a goods and service tax. DQ HOHFWURQLF OLQJ V\VWHP IRU YDOXH added tax. Niger reduced its corporate income Slovenia WD[bUDWH United States Panama Slovenia abolished its payroll tax and reduced its corporate income tax rate. In the United States the introduction of a new tax on payroll increased taxes Panama reduced the corporate income Taiwan, China on companies operating within the WD[ UDWH PRGL HG YDULRXV WD[HV DQG New York City metropolitan commuter created a new tax court of appeals. transportation district. Taiwan (China) reduced the corporate Portugal LQFRPH WD[ UDWH DQG VLPSOL HG WD[ UHWXUQ Venezuela, RB forms, rules for assessing corporate income tax and the calculation of interim Portugal introduced a new social security tax payments. República Bolivariana de Venezuela code and lowered corporate tax rates. DEROLVKHG WKH WD[ RQ QDQFLDO Tajikistan transactions. Puerto Rico Zimbabwe Tajikistan lowered its corporate income Puerto Rico made paying taxes more tax rate. costly for business by introducing a Zimbabwe reduced the corporate income special surtax of 5% on the tax liability Thailand tax rate from 30% to 25%, lowered the in addition to the normal corporate capital gains tax from 20% to 5% and LQFRPHbWD[ VLPSOL HG WKH SD\PHQW RI FRUSRUDWH Thailand temporarily lowered taxes on income tax by allowing quarterly Romania EXVLQHVV E\ UHGXFLQJ LWV VSHFL F EXVLQHVV payment through commercial banks. tax for 12 months. Romania introduced tax changes, Tonga LQFOXGLQJ D QHZ PLQLPXP WD[ RQ SUR W that made paying taxes more costly IRUbFRPSDQLHV 7RQJD VLPSOL HG WKH SD\PHQW RI WD[HV by replacing a two-tier system with São Tomé and Principe a 25% corporate income tax rate for both domestic and foreign companies and introducing tax incentives with a São Tomé and Principe reduced broad-based capital allowance system the corporate income tax rate to a to replace tax holidays and other VWDQGDUGb  WD[bFRQFHVVLRQV Paying Taxes 2011 87 Appendix 4: The data tables The data tables Table 1: Ease of paying taxes rankings 88 Table 2: Tax payments 91 Table 3: Time to comply 94 Table 4: Total Tax Rate (TTR) 97 88 Paying Taxes 2011 Rankings Ease of Tax Time to Total Economy paying taxes payments comply Tax Rate Afghanistan 53 15 118 72 Albania 149 142 146 92 Algeria 168 116 161 169 Angola 142 98 122 143 Antigua and Barbuda 132 167 79 97 Argentina 143 24 162 177 Armenia 159 156 169 94 Australia 48 35 22 127 Austria 104 80 59 148 Azerbaijan 103 60 128 95 Bahamas, The 50 60 5 121 Bahrain 14 87 3 9 Table 1 Bangladesh 93 76 127 65 Ease of paying Belarus 183 181 178 173 Belgium 70 35 50 151 taxes rankings Belize 69 130 44 56 Benin 167 166 109 164 Bhutan 94 60 117 91 Bolivia 177 135 182 172 Bosnia and Herzegovina 127 158 158 22 Botswana 21 65 47 16 Brazil 152 33 183 168 Brunei Darussalam 22 49 41 39 Bulgaria 85 56 171 35 Burkina Faso 148 146 109 115 Burundi 141 102 83 178 Cambodia 57 129 61 20 Cameroon 169 142 172 133 Canada 10 15 34 37 Cape Verde 100 140 65 75 Central African Republic 182 163 166 179 Chad 179 163 177 161 Chile 46 24 131 26 China 114 9 154 158 Colombia 118 71 80 171 Comoros 96 71 19 180 Congo, Dem. Rep. 163 102 137 183 Congo, Rep. 180 172 170 162 Costa Rica 155 135 116 147 Côte d’Ivoire 153 175 109 111 Croatia 42 56 71 52 Cyprus 32 91 46 23 Czech Republic 128 40 167 132 Denmark 13 24 38 36 Djibouti 60 120 17 84 Dominica 67 127 27 74 Dominican Republic 76 24 134 93 Ecuador 81 15 172 67 Egypt, Arab Rep. 136 94 160 104 El Salvador 137 160 132 66 Equatorial Guinea 170 146 165 154 Eritrea 113 60 85 174 Estonia 30 9 14 134 Ethiopia 47 65 73 45 Fiji 77 109 56 86 Finland 65 15 99 113 France 55 9 36 163 Gabon 140 88 164 107 Gambia, The 176 156 150 182 Georgia 61 60 152 10 Germany 88 53 84 128 Paying Taxes 2011 89 Rankings Ease of Tax Time to Total Economy paying taxes payments comply Tax Rate Ghana 78 109 90 53 Greece 74 33 90 125 Grenada 79 97 39 117 Guatemala 116 85 141 96 Guinea 173 167 157 145 Guinea-Bissau 133 146 80 119 Guyana 119 116 124 85 Haiti 97 135 53 87 Honduras 147 149 90 129 Hong Kong, China 3 2 12 24 Hungary 109 43 120 144 Iceland 35 98 39 32 Table 1 India 164 167 104 157 Ease of paying Indonesia Iran, Islamic Rep. 130 115 158 71 107 141 77 109 taxes rankings Iraq 54 42 130 34 continued Ireland 7 24 9 30 Israel 82 109 97 49 Italy 128 49 123 167 Jamaica 174 179 156 136 Japan 112 43 143 130 Jordan 29 88 20 46 Kazakhstan 39 24 115 38 Kenya 162 133 153 135 Kiribati 10 9 27 50 Korea, Rep. 49 43 101 40 Kosovo 41 109 56 13 Kuwait 9 49 25 11 Kyrgyz Republic 150 152 77 152 Lao PDR 116 116 147 59 Latvia 59 9 125 81 Lebanon 36 65 63 42 Lesotho 64 76 134 17 Liberia 84 102 52 108 Lithuania 44 35 62 83 Luxembourg 15 80 6 18 Macedonia, FYR 33 130 26 5 Madagascar 72 83 76 79 Malawi 25 65 51 27 Malaysia 23 40 43 58 Maldives 1 2 1 3 Mali 159 170 109 140 Marshall Islands 90 76 31 160 Mauritania 172 127 176 166 Mauritius 12 9 54 25 Mexico 107 7 155 138 Micronesia, Fed. Sts. 83 76 31 153 Moldova 106 152 95 44 Mongolia 66 140 67 21 Montenegro 139 180 148 31 Morocco 124 93 145 99 Mozambique 101 123 96 62 Namibia 99 123 149 4 Nepal 123 116 140 80 Netherlands 27 24 37 90 New Zealand 26 15 67 63 Nicaragua 158 175 87 156 Niger 144 133 109 122 Nigeria 134 120 180 51 Norway 18 5 16 98 Oman 8 43 7 19 90 Paying Taxes 2011 Rankings Ease of Tax Time to Total Economy paying taxes payments comply Tax Rate Pakistan 145 149 168 48 Palau 89 65 31 170 Panama 175 173 163 137 Papua New Guinea 101 109 69 103 Paraguay 110 120 129 64 Peru 86 24 151 88 Philippines 124 149 70 118 Poland 121 94 136 102 Portugal 73 15 126 106 Puerto Rico 108 53 86 165 Qatar 2 2 3 6 Romania 151 182 87 114 Table 1 Russian Federation 105 35 132 123 Ease of paying Rwanda Samoa 43 68 88 123 45 90 47 15 taxes rankings São Tomé and Principe 135 135 159 57 continued Saudi Arabia 6 43 11 8 Senegal 170 170 175 120 Serbia 138 177 121 60 Seychelles 38 53 9 110 Sierra Leone 159 94 144 181 Singapore 4 6 15 28 Slovak Republic 122 98 103 131 Slovenia 80 80 105 68 Solomon Islands 51 109 12 71 South Africa 24 24 75 43 Spain 71 15 72 150 Sri Lanka 166 173 102 159 St. Kitts and Nevis 98 85 49 142 St. Lucia 45 102 18 61 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 55 102 24 82 Sudan 94 135 63 70 Suriname 34 56 74 33 Swaziland 52 109 21 73 Sweden 39 1 30 146 Switzerland 16 65 8 41 Syrian Arab Republic 110 71 137 105 Taiwan, China 87 56 108 100 Tajikistan 165 163 90 175 Tanzania 120 152 60 116 Thailand 91 83 106 78 Timor-Leste 20 7 119 1 Togo 157 160 109 139 Tonga 31 71 58 29 Trinidad and Tobago 91 130 82 55 Tunisia 58 15 41 155 Turkey 75 49 89 112 Uganda 62 102 54 69 Ukraine 181 183 174 149 United Arab Emirates 5 43 2 7 United Kingdom 16 15 23 76 United States 62 35 66 124 Uruguay 155 160 137 101 Uzbekistan 154 142 78 176 Vanuatu 19 98 27 2 Venezuela, R.B. 178 178 179 141 Vietnam 124 102 181 54 West Bank and Gaza 28 91 48 14 Yemen, Rep. 146 142 100 126 Zambia 37 123 35 12 Zimbabwe 131 155 98 89 Paying Taxes 2011 91 Number of payments Rank Tax Total tax Proï¬?t tax Labour tax Other taxes payments Economy payments payments payments payments rank Afghanistan 8 1 0 7 15 Albania 44 13 12 19 142 Algeria 34 4 12 18 116 Angola 31 4 12 15 98 Antigua and Barbuda 56 13 24 19 167 Argentina 9 1 1 7 24 Armenia 50 13 12 25 156 Australia 11 1 4 6 35 Austria 22 1 4 17 80 Azerbaijan 18 1 12 5 60 Bahamas, The 18 1 12 5 60 Table 2 Bahrain 25 0 24 1 87 Tax payments Bangladesh Belarus 21 82 6 18 0 24 15 40 76 181 Belgium 11 1 2 8 35 Belize 40 12 12 16 130 Benin 55 5 24 26 166 Bhutan 18 2 12 4 60 Bolivia 42 1 12 29 135 Bosnia and Herzegovina 51 12 12 27 158 Botswana 19 6 0 13 65 Brazil 10 2 2 6 33 Brunei Darussalam 15 1 12 2 49 Bulgaria 17 1 1 15 56 Burkina Faso 46 2 24 20 146 Burundi 32 1 16 15 102 Cambodia 39 12 12 15 129 Cameroon 44 13 12 19 142 Canada 8 1 3 4 15 Cape Verde 43 4 24 15 140 Central African Republic 54 4 24 26 163 Chad 54 12 24 18 163 Chile 9 1 1 7 24 China 7 2 1 4 9 Colombia 20 2 1 17 71 Comoros 20 2 0 18 71 Congo, Dem. Rep. 32 1 16 15 102 Congo, Rep. 61 5 37 19 172 Costa Rica 42 5 12 25 135 Côte d’Ivoire 64 3 24 37 175 Croatia 17 1 12 4 56 Cyprus 27 5 12 10 91 Czech Republic 12 1 2 9 40 Denmark 9 3 1 5 24 Djibouti 35 5 12 18 120 Dominica 38 5 12 21 127 Dominican Republic 9 1 4 4 24 Ecuador 8 2 1 5 15 Egypt, Arab Rep. 29 1 12 16 94 El Salvador 53 13 24 16 160 Equatorial Guinea 46 1 24 21 146 Eritrea 18 2 0 16 60 Estonia 7 1 0 6 9 Ethiopia 19 2 0 17 65 Fiji 33 4 14 15 109 Finland 8 1 3 4 15 France 7 1 2 4 9 Gabon 26 3 4 19 88 Gambia, The 50 6 25 19 156 Georgia 18 4 0 14 60 Germany 16 2 4 10 53 92 Paying Taxes 2011 Number of payments Rank Tax Total tax Proï¬?t tax Labour tax Other taxes payments Economy payments payments payments payments rank Ghana 33 6 12 15 109 Greece 10 1 1 8 33 Grenada 30 1 12 17 97 Guatemala 24 1 12 11 85 Guinea 56 2 36 18 167 Guinea-Bissau 46 5 12 29 146 Guyana 34 6 12 16 116 Haiti 42 2 25 15 135 Honduras 47 5 13 29 149 Hong Kong, China 3 1 1 1 2 Hungary 14 4 4 6 43 Table 2 Iceland 31 1 14 16 98 Tax payments India Indonesia 56 51 2 13 25 24 29 14 167 158 continued Iran, Islamic Rep. 20 1 12 7 71 Iraq 13 1 12 0 42 Ireland 9 1 1 7 24 Israel 33 2 12 19 109 Italy 15 2 1 12 49 Jamaica 72 4 48 20 179 Japan 14 2 2 10 43 Jordan 26 2 12 12 88 Kazakhstan 9 1 1 7 24 Kenya 41 5 14 22 133 Kiribati 7 5 2 0 9 Korea, Rep. 14 1 5 8 43 Kosovo 33 5 12 16 109 Kuwait 15 3 12 0 49 Kyrgyz Republic 48 5 12 31 152 Lao PDR 34 4 12 18 116 Latvia 7 1 1 5 9 Lebanon 19 1 12 6 65 Lesotho 21 5 0 16 76 Liberia 32 4 12 16 102 Lithuania 11 1 2 8 35 Luxembourg 22 2 12 8 80 Macedonia, FYR 40 12 12 16 130 Madagascar 23 1 8 14 83 Malawi 19 2 1 16 65 Malaysia 12 1 2 9 40 Maldives 3 0 0 3 2 Mali 59 4 36 19 170 Marshall Islands 21 0 16 5 76 Mauritania 38 3 13 22 127 Mauritius 7 1 1 5 9 Mexico 6 1 2 3 7 Micronesia, Fed. Sts. 21 0 4 17 76 Moldova 48 1 28 19 152 Mongolia 43 13 12 18 140 Montenegro 77 12 48 17 180 Morocco 28 1 12 15 93 Mozambique 37 7 12 18 123 Namibia 37 3 12 22 123 Nepal 34 4 12 18 116 Netherlands 9 1 1 7 24 New Zealand 8 1 2 5 15 Nicaragua 64 13 24 27 175 Niger 41 3 13 25 133 Nigeria 35 3 14 18 120 Norway 4 1 1 2 5 Oman 14 1 12 1 43 Paying Taxes 2011 93 Number of payments Rank Tax Total tax Proï¬?t tax Labour tax Other taxes payments Economy payments payments payments payments rank Pakistan 47 5 25 17 149 Palau 19 4 12 3 65 Panama 62 5 24 33 173 Papua New Guinea 33 1 13 19 109 Paraguay 35 5 12 18 120 Peru 9 1 2 6 24 Philippines 47 1 36 10 149 Poland 29 12 1 16 94 Portugal 8 1 1 6 15 Puerto Rico 16 5 6 5 53 Qatar 3 0 1 2 2 Table 2 Romania 113 4 84 25 182 Tax payments Russian Federation Rwanda 11 26 1 5 3 4 7 17 35 88 continued Samoa 37 5 24 8 123 São Tomé and Principe 42 2 12 28 135 Saudi Arabia 14 1 12 1 43 Senegal 59 3 36 20 170 Serbia 66 12 12 42 177 Seychelles 16 1 12 3 53 Sierra Leone 29 1 12 16 94 Singapore 5 1 1 3 6 Slovak Republic 31 1 12 18 98 Slovenia 22 1 12 9 80 Solomon Islands 33 6 12 15 109 South Africa 9 2 3 4 24 Spain 8 1 1 6 15 Sri Lanka 62 5 24 33 173 St. Kitts and Nevis 24 4 12 8 85 St. Lucia 32 1 12 19 102 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 32 4 12 16 102 Sudan 42 2 12 28 135 Suriname 17 4 0 13 56 Swaziland 33 2 13 18 109 Sweden 2 1 0 1 1 Switzerland 19 2 7 10 65 Syrian Arab Republic 20 2 12 6 71 Taiwan, China 17 2 3 12 56 Tajikistan 54 12 12 30 163 Tanzania 48 5 24 19 152 Thailand 23 2 13 8 83 Timor-Leste 6 5 0 1 7 Togo 53 5 24 24 160 Tonga 20 1 0 19 71 Trinidad and Tobago 40 4 24 12 130 Tunisia 8 1 4 3 15 Turkey 15 1 1 13 49 Uganda 32 3 12 17 102 Ukraine 135 5 108 22 183 United Arab Emirates 14 0 12 2 43 United Kingdom 8 1 1 6 15 United States 11 2 4 5 35 Uruguay 53 1 24 28 160 Uzbekistan 44 8 12 24 142 Vanuatu 31 0 12 19 98 Venezuela, R.B. 70 14 28 28 178 Vietnam 32 6 12 14 102 West Bank and Gaza 27 14 0 13 91 Yemen, Rep. 44 1 24 19 142 Zambia 37 5 13 19 123 Zimbabwe 49 5 14 30 155 94 Paying Taxes 2011 Number of hours Rank Corporate Total tax income Labour tax Consumption Economy time tax time time tax time Time rank Afghanistan 275 77 120 78 118 Albania 360 120 96 144 146 Algeria 451 152 110 189 161 Angola 282 75 125 82 122 Antigua and Barbuda 207 23 136 48 79 Argentina 453 105 108 240 162 Armenia 581 146 233 202 169 Australia 109 37 18 54 22 Austria 170 49 54 67 59 Azerbaijan 306 64 101 141 128 Bahamas, The 58 10 48 0 5 Table 3 Bahrain 36 0 36 0 3 Time to comply Bangladesh 302 140 0 162 127 Belarus 798 494 112 192 178 Belgium 156 20 40 96 50 Belize 147 27 60 60 44 Benin 270 30 120 120 109 Bhutan 274 250 24 0 117 Bolivia 1080 120 480 480 182 Bosnia and Herzegovina 422 68 96 258 158 Botswana 152 40 40 72 47 Brazil 2600 736 490 1374 183 Brunei Darussalam 144 66 78 0 41 Bulgaria 616 40 288 288 171 Burkina Faso 270 30 120 120 109 Burundi 211 80 48 83 83 Cambodia 173 23 84 66 61 Cameroon 654 180 174 300 172 Canada 131 45 36 50 34 Cape Verde 186 35 85 66 65 Central African Republic 504 24 240 240 166 Chad 732 300 216 216 177 Chile 316 42 137 137 131 China 398 74 192 132 154 Colombia 208 40 102 66 80 Comoros 100 4 48 48 19 Congo, Dem. Rep. 336 116 124 96 137 Congo, Rep. 606 275 150 181 170 Costa Rica 272 18 126 128 116 Côte d’Ivoire 270 30 120 120 109 Croatia 196 60 96 40 71 Cyprus 149 29 80 40 46 Czech Republic 557 135 262 160 167 Denmark 135 25 70 40 38 Djibouti 90 30 36 24 17 Dominica 120 15 48 57 27 Dominican Republic 324 82 80 162 134 Ecuador 654 108 306 240 172 Egypt, Arab Rep. 433 69 189 175 160 El Salvador 320 128 96 96 132 Equatorial Guinea 492 145 160 187 165 Eritrea 216 24 96 96 85 Estonia 81 20 34 27 14 Ethiopia 198 150 24 24 73 Fiji 163 42 61 60 56 Finland 243 21 200 22 99 France 132 26 80 26 36 Gabon 488 137 131 220 164 Gambia, The 376 40 96 240 150 Georgia 387 140 67 180 152 Germany 215 30 142 43 84 Paying Taxes 2011 95 Number of hours Rank Corporate Total tax income Labour tax Consumption Economy time tax time time tax time Time rank Ghana 224 40 88 96 90 Greece 224 88 48 88 90 Grenada 140 8 96 36 39 Guatemala 344 44 144 156 141 Guinea 416 32 192 192 157 Guinea-Bissau 208 160 24 24 80 Guyana 288 48 48 192 124 Haiti 160 40 72 48 53 Honduras 224 35 93 96 90 Hong Kong, China 80 50 30 0 12 Hungary 277 35 146 96 120 Table 3 Iceland 140 40 60 40 39 Time to comply India 258 46 96 116 104 continued Indonesia Iran, Islamic Rep. 266 344 88 32 97 240 81 72 107 141 Iraq 312 24 288 0 130 Ireland 76 10 36 30 9 Israel 235 110 60 65 97 Italy 285 39 214 32 123 Jamaica 414 30 336 48 156 Japan 355 180 140 35 143 Jordan 101 5 60 36 20 Kazakhstan 271 105 74 92 115 Kenya 393 60 57 276 153 Kiribati 120 24 96 0 27 Korea, Rep. 250 120 80 50 101 Kosovo 163 32 41 90 56 Kuwait 118 48 70 0 25 Kyrgyz Republic 202 60 71 71 77 Lao PDR 362 138 42 182 147 Latvia 293 31 165 97 125 Lebanon 180 40 100 40 63 Lesotho 324 70 104 150 134 Liberia 158 57 59 42 52 Lithuania 175 32 85 58 62 Luxembourg 59 21 14 24 6 Macedonia, FYR 119 19 56 44 26 Madagascar 201 9 72 120 76 Malawi 157 67 30 60 51 Malaysia 145 28 87 30 43 Maldives 0 0 0 0 1 Mali 270 30 120 120 109 Marshall Islands 128 0 96 32 31 Mauritania 696 120 96 480 176 Mauritius 161 13 82 66 54 Mexico 404 157 73 174 155 Micronesia, Fed. Sts. 128 0 96 32 31 Moldova 228 80 88 60 95 Mongolia 192 57 63 72 67 Montenegro 372 43 136 193 148 Morocco 358 70 48 240 145 Mozambique 230 50 60 120 96 Namibia 375 41 46 288 149 Nepal 338 120 96 122 140 Netherlands 134 32 64 38 37 New Zealand 192 25 67 100 67 Nicaragua 222 74 76 72 87 Niger 270 30 120 120 109 Nigeria 938 398 378 162 180 Norway 87 24 15 48 16 Oman 62 50 12 0 7 96 Paying Taxes 2011 Number of hours Rank Corporate Total tax income Labour tax Consumption Economy time tax time time tax time Time rank Pakistan 560 40 40 480 168 Palau 128 32 96 0 31 Panama 482 50 180 252 163 Papua New Guinea 194 153 8 33 69 Paraguay 311 35 132 144 129 Peru 380 43 181 156 151 Philippines 195 37 38 120 70 Poland 325 72 132 121 136 Portugal 298 40 162 96 126 Puerto Rico 218 80 60 78 86 Qatar 36 0 36 0 3 Table 3 Romania 222 42 120 60 87 Time to comply Russian Federation 320 160 96 64 132 continued Rwanda Samoa 148 224 22 48 48 96 78 80 45 90 São Tomé and Principe 424 40 192 192 159 Saudi Arabia 79 20 59 0 11 Senegal 666 120 96 450 175 Serbia 279 48 126 105 121 Seychelles 76 40 36 0 9 Sierra Leone 357 15 168 174 144 Singapore 84 34 10 40 15 Slovak Republic 257 43 100 114 103 Slovenia 260 90 96 74 105 Solomon Islands 80 8 30 42 12 South Africa 200 100 50 50 75 Spain 197 33 90 74 72 Sri Lanka 256 16 96 144 102 St. Kitts and Nevis 155 27 128 0 49 St. Lucia 92 11 51 30 18 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 111 14 52 45 24 Sudan 180 70 70 40 63 Suriname 199 48 24 127 74 Swaziland 104 8 48 48 21 Sweden 122 50 36 36 30 Switzerland 63 15 40 8 8 Syrian Arab Republic 336 300 36 0 137 Taiwan, China 269 209 27 33 108 Tajikistan 224 80 48 96 90 Tanzania 172 60 52 60 60 Thailand 264 160 48 56 106 Timor-Leste 276 132 144 0 119 Togo 270 30 120 120 109 Tonga 164 8 12 144 58 Trinidad and Tobago 210 45 75 90 82 Tunisia 144 64 30 50 41 Turkey 223 46 80 97 89 Uganda 161 35 66 60 54 Ukraine 657 112 364 181 174 United Arab Emirates 12 0 12 0 2 United Kingdom 110 35 45 30 23 United States 187 99 55 33 66 Uruguay 336 100 128 108 137 Uzbekistan 205 66 69 70 78 Vanuatu 120 0 24 96 27 Venezuela, R.B. 864 120 360 384 179 Vietnam 941 233 372 336 181 West Bank and Gaza 154 10 96 48 48 Yemen, Rep. 248 56 72 120 100 Zambia 132 48 24 60 35 Zimbabwe 242 78 96 68 98 Paying Taxes 2011 97 Total Tax Rate Rank Proï¬?t tax Labour tax Other taxes TTR Economy TTR TTR TTR TTR rank Afghanistan 36.4% 0.0% 0.0% 36.4% 72 Albania 40.6% 8.5% 27.2% 4.9% 92 Algeria 72.0% 6.6% 29.7% 35.7% 169 Angola 53.2% 24.6% 9.0% 19.5% 143 Antigua and Barbuda 41.5% 26.0% 9.5% 6.0% 97 Argentina 108.2% 2.8% 29.4% 76.0% 177 Armenia 40.7% 16.6% 23.0% 1.1% 94 Australia 47.9% 25.9% 20.7% 1.3% 127 Austria 55.5% 15.7% 34.6% 5.2% 148 Azerbaijan 40.9% 13.8% 24.9% 2.2% 95 Bahamas, The 46.1% 0.0% 4.5% 41.6% 121 Bahrain 15.0% 0.0% 14.6% 0.4% 9 Table 4 Bangladesh 35.0% 25.7% 0.0% 9.3% 65 Total Tax Rate (TTR) Belarus Belgium 80.4% 57.0% 22.0% 4.8% 39.3% 50.4% 19.1% 1.8% 173 151 Belize 33.2% 24.8% 7.0% 1.4% 56 Benin 66.0% 14.8% 27.3% 23.9% 164 Bhutan 40.6% 35.1% 1.1% 4.4% 91 Bolivia 80.0% 0.0% 15.5% 64.5% 172 Bosnia and Herzegovina 23.0% 5.3% 12.6% 5.1% 22 Botswana 19.5% 15.9% 0.0% 3.6% 16 Brazil 69.0% 21.4% 40.9% 6.7% 168 Brunei Darussalam 29.8% 24.2% 5.6% 0.0% 39 Bulgaria 29.0% 4.6% 20.5% 3.9% 35 Burkina Faso 44.9% 16.1% 22.6% 6.2% 115 Burundi 153.4% 19.4% 7.8% 126.2% 178 Cambodia 22.5% 18.9% 0.1% 3.5% 20 Cameroon 49.1% 29.9% 18.3% 0.9% 133 Canada 29.2% 9.8% 12.6% 6.8% 37 Cape Verde 37.1% 17.8% 18.5% 0.8% 75 Central African Republic 203.8% 176.8% 8.1% 18.9% 179 Chad 65.4% 31.3% 28.4% 5.7% 161 Chile 25.0% 18.0% 3.8% 3.2% 26 China 63.5% 6.0% 49.6% 7.9% 158 Colombia 78.7% 17.7% 33.9% 27.1% 171 Comoros 217.9% 31.4% 0.0% 186.5% 180 Congo, Dem. Rep. 339.7% 58.9% 7.9% 272.9% 183 Congo, Rep. 65.5% 0.0% 32.9% 32.6% 162 Costa Rica 55.0% 18.9% 29.5% 6.6% 147 Côte d’Ivoire 44.4% 8.8% 20.1% 15.5% 111 Croatia 32.5% 11.4% 19.5% 1.6% 52 Cyprus 23.2% 9.4% 11.6% 2.2% 23 Czech Republic 48.8% 7.4% 38.4% 3.0% 132 Denmark 29.2% 21.9% 3.6% 3.7% 36 Djibouti 38.7% 17.7% 17.7% 3.3% 84 Dominica 37.0% 25.9% 7.9% 3.2% 74 Dominican Republic 40.7% 20.6% 18.3% 1.8% 93 Ecuador 35.3% 18.4% 13.7% 3.2% 67 Egypt, Arab Rep. 42.6% 13.2% 25.8% 3.6% 104 El Salvador 35.0% 17.0% 17.2% 0.8% 66 Equatorial Guinea 59.5% 13.5% 25.4% 20.6% 154 Eritrea 84.5% 8.8% 0.0% 75.7% 174 Estonia 49.6% 8.0% 39.2% 2.4% 134 Ethiopia 31.1% 26.8% 0.0% 4.3% 45 Fiji 39.3% 28.9% 10.2% 0.2% 86 Finland 44.6% 15.9% 27.7% 1.0% 113 France 65.8% 8.2% 51.7% 5.9% 163 Gabon 43.5% 18.4% 22.8% 2.3% 107 Gambia, The 292.3% 41.4% 12.9% 238.0% 182 Georgia 15.3% 13.3% 0.0% 2.0% 10 Germany 48.2% 22.9% 22.0% 3.3% 128 98 Paying Taxes 2011 Total Tax Rate Rank Proï¬?t tax Labour tax Other taxes TTR Economy TTR TTR TTR TTR rank Ghana 32.7% 18.1% 14.1% 0.5% 53 Greece 47.2% 13.9% 31.7% 1.6% 125 Grenada 45.3% 27.6% 5.6% 12.1% 117 Guatemala 40.9% 25.9% 14.3% 0.7% 96 Guinea 54.6% 19.4% 24.5% 10.7% 145 Guinea-Bissau 45.9% 14.9% 24.8% 6.2% 119 Guyana 38.9% 26.8% 8.8% 3.3% 85 Haiti 40.1% 23.4% 12.4% 4.3% 87 Honduras 48.3% 26.7% 10.7% 10.9% 129 Hong Kong, China 24.1% 18.7% 5.3% 0.1% 24 Hungary 53.3% 16.7% 34.4% 2.2% 144 Iceland 26.8% 6.9% 14.9% 5.0% 32 Table 4 India 63.3% 24.0% 18.2% 21.1% 157 Total Tax Rate (TTR) Indonesia 37.3% 26.6% 10.6% 0.1% 77 Iran, Islamic Rep. 44.1% 17.8% 25.9% 0.4% 109 continued Iraq 28.4% 14.9% 13.5% 0.0% 34 Ireland 26.5% 11.9% 11.6% 3.0% 30 Israel 31.7% 23.8% 5.3% 2.6% 49 Italy 68.6% 22.8% 43.4% 2.4% 167 Jamaica 50.1% 28.6% 13.0% 8.5% 136 Japan 48.6% 27.9% 14.7% 6.0% 130 Jordan 31.2% 15.2% 12.4% 3.6% 46 Kazakhstan 29.6% 16.2% 11.5% 1.9% 38 Kenya 49.7% 33.1% 6.8% 9.8% 135 Kiribati 31.8% 23.3% 8.5% 0.0% 50 Korea, Rep. 29.8% 15.3% 12.9% 1.6% 40 Kosovo 16.5% 10.3% 5.6% 0.6% 13 Kuwait 15.5% 4.8% 10.7% 0.0% 11 Kyrgyz Republic 57.2% 8.9% 21.5% 26.8% 152 Lao PDR 33.7% 25.2% 5.6% 2.9% 59 Latvia 38.5% 6.5% 27.2% 4.8% 81 Lebanon 30.2% 6.1% 24.1% 0.0% 42 Lesotho 19.6% 16.4% 0.0% 3.2% 17 Liberia 43.7% 0.0% 5.4% 38.3% 108 Lithuania 38.7% 0.0% 35.1% 3.6% 83 Luxembourg 21.1% 4.1% 15.4% 1.6% 18 Macedonia, FYR 10.6% 6.2% 0.6% 3.8% 5 Madagascar 37.7% 15.8% 20.3% 1.6% 79 Malawi 25.1% 23.3% 1.1% 0.7% 27 Malaysia 33.7% 16.7% 15.6% 1.4% 58 Maldives 9.3% 0.0% 0.0% 9.3% 3 Mali 52.2% 12.9% 32.6% 6.7% 140 Marshall Islands 64.9% 0.0% 11.8% 53.1% 160 Mauritania 68.4% 44.2% 17.6% 6.6% 166 Mauritius 24.1% 11.8% 5.0% 7.3% 25 Mexico 50.5% 23.1% 26.1% 1.3% 138 Micronesia, Fed. Sts. 58.7% 0.0% 6.8% 51.9% 153 Moldova 30.9% 0.0% 30.2% 0.7% 44 Mongolia 23.0% 9.5% 12.5% 1.0% 21 Montenegro 26.6% 6.6% 17.9% 2.1% 31 Morocco 41.7% 18.1% 22.2% 1.4% 99 Mozambique 34.3% 27.7% 4.5% 2.1% 62 Namibia 9.6% 4.0% 1.0% 4.6% 4 Nepal 38.2% 16.2% 11.3% 10.7% 80 Netherlands 40.5% 20.9% 17.9% 1.7% 90 New Zealand 34.3% 30.4% 3.0% 0.9% 63 Nicaragua 63.2% 24.8% 19.2% 19.2% 156 Niger 46.5% 20.1% 19.6% 6.8% 122 Nigeria 32.2% 21.8% 9.7% 0.7% 51 Norway 41.6% 24.4% 15.9% 1.3% 98 Oman 21.6% 9.7% 11.8% 0.1% 19 Paying Taxes 2011 99 Total Tax Rate Rank Proï¬?t tax Labour tax Other taxes TTR Economy TTR TTR TTR TTR rank Pakistan 31.6% 14.3% 15.0% 2.3% 48 Palau 73.0% 66.0% 6.5% 0.5% 170 Panama 50.1% 17.0% 22.6% 10.5% 137 Papua New Guinea 42.3% 22.0% 11.7% 8.6% 103 Paraguay 35.0% 9.6% 18.6% 6.8% 64 Peru 40.2% 26.0% 11.0% 3.2% 88 Philippines 45.8% 21.3% 10.3% 14.2% 118 Poland 42.3% 17.7% 22.1% 2.5% 102 Portugal 43.3% 14.9% 26.8% 1.6% 106 Puerto Rico 67.7% 26.3% 14.4% 27.0% 165 Qatar 11.3% 0.0% 11.3% 0.0% 6 Romania 44.9% 10.4% 32.3% 2.2% 114 Table 4 Russian Federation 46.5% 9.0% 31.8% 5.7% 123 Total Tax Rate (TTR) Rwanda Samoa 31.3% 18.9% 21.2% 11.9% 5.7% 7.0% 4.4% 0.0% 47 15 continued São Tomé and Principe 33.3% 21.9% 6.8% 4.6% 57 Saudi Arabia 14.5% 2.1% 12.4% 0.0% 8 Senegal 46.0% 14.8% 24.1% 7.1% 120 Serbia 34.0% 11.6% 20.2% 2.2% 60 Seychelles 44.1% 20.8% 22.6% 0.7% 110 Sierra Leone 235.6% 0.0% 11.3% 224.3% 181 Singapore 25.4% 7.4% 14.9% 3.1% 28 Slovak Republic 48.7% 7.0% 39.6% 2.1% 131 Slovenia 35.4% 14.8% 18.2% 2.4% 68 Solomon Islands 36.4% 25.7% 8.5% 2.2% 71 South Africa 30.5% 24.3% 2.5% 3.7% 43 Spain 56.5% 20.9% 34.9% 0.7% 150 Sri Lanka 64.7% 27.4% 16.9% 20.4% 159 St. Kitts and Nevis 52.7% 32.7% 11.3% 8.7% 142 St. Lucia 34.0% 25.5% 5.6% 2.9% 61 St. Vincent and the Grenadines 38.7% 30.2% 5.1% 3.4% 82 Sudan 36.1% 13.8% 19.2% 3.1% 70 Suriname 27.9% 27.9% 0.0% 0.0% 33 Swaziland 36.8% 28.1% 4.0% 4.7% 73 Sweden 54.6% 16.4% 36.6% 1.6% 146 Switzerland 30.1% 8.9% 17.6% 3.6% 41 Syrian Arab Republic 42.9% 23.1% 19.3% 0.5% 105 Taiwan, China 41.9% 21.0% 16.7% 4.2% 100 Tajikistan 86.0% 17.7% 28.5% 39.8% 175 Tanzania 45.2% 19.9% 18.0% 7.3% 116 Thailand 37.4% 28.9% 5.7% 2.8% 78 Timor-Leste 0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 0.2% 1 Togo 50.8% 8.8% 28.3% 13.7% 139 Tonga 25.5% 24.3% 0.0% 1.2% 29 Trinidad and Tobago 33.1% 21.6% 5.8% 5.7% 55 Tunisia 62.8% 15.0% 25.2% 22.6% 155 Turkey 44.5% 17.0% 23.1% 4.4% 112 Uganda 35.7% 23.3% 11.3% 1.1% 69 Ukraine 55.5% 10.4% 43.3% 1.8% 149 United Arab Emirates 14.1% 0.0% 14.1% 0.0% 7 United Kingdom 37.3% 23.2% 10.8% 3.3% 76 United States 46.8% 27.6% 10.0% 9.2% 124 Uruguay 42.0% 23.5% 15.6% 2.9% 101 Uzbekistan 95.6% 1.6% 27.1% 66.9% 176 Vanuatu 8.4% 0.0% 4.5% 3.9% 2 Venezuela, R.B. 52.6% 10.0% 18.0% 24.6% 141 Vietnam 33.1% 12.5% 20.3% 0.3% 54 West Bank and Gaza 16.8% 16.2% 0.0% 0.6% 14 Yemen, Rep. 47.8% 35.1% 11.3% 1.4% 126 Zambia 16.1% 1.7% 10.4% 4.0% 12 Zimbabwe 40.3% 24.0% 6.2% 10.1% 89 100 Paying Taxes 2011 The Total Tax Rate included in the survey by the This publication may be copied and disseminated World Bank Group has been calculated using the in its entirety, retaining all featured logos, names, broad principles of the PwC methodology. 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