The COVID-19 pandemic had strong economic and social impacts that have exacerbated the problems of inequality between rich and poor. While the wealthier classes were able to preserve their jobs and work remotely, many low-income workers lost their sources of income overnight, or saw their incomes shrink dramatically. This increase in inequality, coupled with large fiscal … [Read more...] about Can a wealth tax reduce inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean?
Cost System: A Tool to Improve the Quality of Public Spending
The need to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public spending in Latin America and the Caribbean has become increasingly urgent, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis that has impacted economic activity by, on one hand, reducing public revenues and, on the other, increasing pressure for more services. The crisis is leaving many of our countries with … [Read more...] about Cost System: A Tool to Improve the Quality of Public Spending
Latin American and Caribbean countries must adopt a pro-growth fiscal strategy to avoid falling into a debt trap
With the outbreak of the pandemic, fiscal balances in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) deteriorated and public debt increased significantly. When combined with the expected slowness of economic recovery, this will put significant pressure on the sustainability of public finances for countries in the region. Given this scenario, these countries urgently need to develop and … [Read more...] about Latin American and Caribbean countries must adopt a pro-growth fiscal strategy to avoid falling into a debt trap
Now it is the time to Foster Labor Formalization in Latin America and the Caribbean
There is an urgent need to reduce labor informality to encourage inclusive growth after the pandemic is over in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Labor formality boosts government revenue and targeting of transfers, increasing productivity and curtailing poverty. Given that the region has one of the highest labor informality levels in the world, targeting informality is … [Read more...] about Now it is the time to Foster Labor Formalization in Latin America and the Caribbean
Winds of Change: An Opportunity to Reform Tax Administration in the Caribbean
For many countries in the Caribbean region, tax policy and tax administration reforms have been a long overdue task. Given the current situation worldwide, the Caribbean countries are now more than ever faced with the critical need to improve their capacity to collect and manage revenues. Achieving this will require the adoption of more efficient and modern institutional … [Read more...] about Winds of Change: An Opportunity to Reform Tax Administration in the Caribbean