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A GOOD TAX SYSTEM


What are the characteristics of a good tax system? There has always been a debate among economists and policymakers on the issue of design of the tax system. Taxation in developing economies has been even more debated as the trade-off assessment generates enough controversy. Main debatable issues in the design of a tax system are whether progressive or regressive taxation, direct tax or indirect tax collections should be higher, whether revenue deficit is better, etc. The controversies set apart, there is a broad consensus on five principles10 of a good tax system, among economists and the policymakers:

 

Fairness