Monitoring, tax gaps and public finances

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In this report we have carried out an analysis of the tax gap in Denmark and the relationship between monitoring, tax gaps and public finances. The purpose of the analysis is to shed light on the potential of lowering the tax gap through increased monitoring. The analysis was conducted on behalf of the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions, HK-Stat and FSR - Danish Auditors.

Main results

The analysis shows that changes in the cost of monitoring or the number of man-years used for monitoring may have an impact on tax revenue and thus the margins of the public sector. The larger the tax gap, the greater the potential for public finances.

Overall, the tax gap measures the difference between the taxes payable and the taxes actually paid. The Finance Act sets target figures for the future size of the tax gap in Denmark. The target is an annual tax gap of 2.0% until 2021. The set target for the tax gap in 2015 and 2016 has not been met. Thus, there was a realised tax gap of 2.6% in 2015 and at 2.5% in 2016.

In Denmark, there is no clear link between the development in the tax gap and the development in the public balance or the structural balance. This leads to the implicit assumption that a change in the tax gap does not affect the margins of the public sector. It is not considered to be true or appropriate. A change in the tax gap may affect the public balance both positively and negatively depending on the current level of the tax gap, the extent of behavioural effects and administrative costs associated with reducing the tax gap.

To illustrate the potential of changes in the tax gap, it is computationally assumed that the objectives of the Finance Act are met. A reduction of the tax gap from the actual level of 2.5% to 2.0% in 2018 will allow for a revenue potential of DKK 4.2 billion in 2018. If the tax gap is maintained at 2.0%, this will allow for a revenue potential of DKK 4.6 billion 2025 compared to a situation where the current level of the tax gap would have been maintained. It is emphasized that this is an illustrative calculation of potential that does not take into account behavioural effects or increased administrative costs.

In Denmark, there is a big difference in the compliance with the rules among citizens and companies. The compliance with the tax rules by citizens is generally high. The proportion of citizens who have errors in their tax payments has remained stable at around 6-8%in the period 2006-2012, and in 2012 only 0.5% deliberately tried to circumvent the rules. Conversely, compliance is significantly lower among companies. In 2012, it was assessed that non-compliance regarding tax was to be found among 56% of companies and regarding VAT among 46% of companies. In addition, the proportion of companies that knowingly circumvent the rules has remained stable at around 10% during the period. On this basis, it is estimated that the greatest potential for reducing the tax gap through monitoring is through increased monitoring of companies.

Based on the experience gained from previous monitoring, it is estimated that meeting the target of a tax gap of 2% requires a usage of resource of approx. 1,000 man-years. Taking into account personnel and administrative expenses, the monitoring on average is estimated to allow for a revenue per employee for monitoring of DKK 3.8 million. For some monitoring, the revenue will be higher and for others it will be lower.

A reduction in the tax gap to 2.0% in 2025, including a priority equivalent to 1,000 man-years, could collect a total revenue of DKK 3.8 billion to the state as a rough estimate – given the historical experience and exclusive behavioural effects. There is considerable uncertainty associated with this estimate, but it indicates that there is significant potential to be gained - even when taking into account administrative costs.

The study is commissioned by LO, HK Governmental og FSR - Danish accounts.

Links

Højbjerre Brauer Schultz (2017): "Kontrolindsats, skattegab og offentlige finanser".

Contact

ESBEN ANTON SCHULTZ

ESBEN ANTON SCHULTZ

PARTNER, PH.D. (ECONOMICS)