France discovering the Laffer curve

Although the latest figures published by the French Finance Ministry show a slight year-on-year increase in revenue levels compared to 2012, they also reveal that the record tax rises implemented this year are weighing heavily on overall revenue growth. This is in spite of surprisingly positive figures for August 2013.

Revenues derived from individual income tax amounted to EUR41bn (USD55bn) as at the end of August this year, compared to EUR34bn the same time the year before. Income from corporation tax stood at EUR23bn as at the end of August 2013, compared to EUR17bn in August 2012. However, close scrutiny of expected revenues for the entire year paints an altogether different picture. The Finance Ministry has revised downwards its forecast for 2013, currently anticipating total net revenues of EUR287.8bn, compared to the EUR298.6bn provided for in the initial finance law for 2013. The revision marks a shortfall of EUR10bn, added to which a further EUR5bn shortfall is expected due to lower income from social security contributions. This will push the total revenue shortfall figure to EUR15bn, despite the fact that the 2013 Budget provided for tax rises totaling EUR30bn.

50p tax band to cost UK £1bn a year

The UK faces a lost generation of wealth creators, with the 50% top rate of income tax set to push them away and cost the economy billions, a new report has said.

Published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), the report, entitled ‘The 50p tax - good intentions, bad outcomes’ is an examination of how the UK's high-rate marginal tax impacts on Treasury revenues, and looks at how income tax has changed since the 1980s.

According to the Cebr's figures, the UK's 270,000 major wealth creators (the top 1% of income tax payers) contribute around GBP40bn (USD62bn) in income tax a year, or 25% of the GBP163bn paid in income tax to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in total. The 50% rate of tax is charged on all incomes over a GBP150,000 threshold. Among the conclusions offered by the report is the assertion that the UK has lost its place as an attractive, low-tax jurisdiction that welcomes wealth-creators and has instead become one of the most punitive. As a result, the Cebr has warned that other European countries now are competing in a "silent auction" for the tax from high earners.