Abstract The verdict in the case of Skatteverket v. David Hedqvist (Kokott, Advocate General (2015) Opinion delivered on 16 July 2015, Case C-264/14. ECLI:EU:C:2015:498. Available via TandF Online. https://doi.org/10.1080/20488432.2015.1096631 .) is crucial for understanding how the EU treats virtual currencies, such as Bitcoin, in terms of Value-added Tax (VAT). This case involved the Swedish citizen David Hedqist who was seeking clarity from the Swedish Tax Authority Skatteverket on exchanging money for Bitcoins. The case set a precedent exempting such services from VAT under the EU’s VAT Directive (Council Directive 2006/112/EC (2006) On the common system of value added tax. OJ L347. Available via EUR-Lex. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32006L0112 . Accessed 3 January 2024.). Specifically, Article 135(1)(e) of the EU’s VAT Directive excludes those transactions from VAT that include money-related transactions, that include deals or negotiations about different kinds of money, including cash and coins that are officially legal tender, i.e., used for buying things, except for collectable items like special coins or notes that people collect but do not use as a means of payment. Skatteverket (Kokott, Advocate General (2015) Opinion delivered on 16 July 2015, Case C-264/14. ECLI:EU:C:2015:498. Available via TandF Online. https://doi.org/10.1080/20488432.2015.1096631 .) clarified that cash transactions are not subject to VAT, even though they are considered services for VAT purposes. Despite this clarity, the evolving landscape of digital assets’ uniqueness, including Non-Fungible Tokens (Alawadhi KM, Alshamali N (2022) NFTs Emergence in Financial Markets and their Correlation with DeFis and Cryptocurrencies. Applied Economics and Finance 9:108. https://doi.org/10.11114/aef.v9i1.5444 . Available at CORE. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/524752899.pdf . Accessed 3 January 2024.), continues to challenge VAT frameworks across member states. Using insights from the European Commission’s Working Paper 1060, this article advocates for a unified approach tailored to digital and crypto services, addressing complexities in NFT taxation to reduce uncertainty and foster market cohesion. The findings highlight the importance of legislative changes and increased cross-border collaboration, as well as provide recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders in the digital finance and platform sector (European Commission (2024) Working Paper 1060. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/working-paper-1060_en . Accessed 3 March 2024.). By proposing strategic harmonisation of VAT enforcement, the research helps to improve tax compliance and support long-term growth in the EU’s digital market (Cappai M (2023) The role of private and public regulation in the case study of crypto-assets: The Italian move towards participatory regulation. Computer Law & Security Review 49:105831. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/computer-law-and-security-review/vol/49/suppl/C .; Hasa J (2021) Digitaalisten palvelujen rajat ylittävä kuluttajakauppa ja laajeneva arvonlisäveron erityisjärjestelmä. Licentiate thesis. University of Lapland, Faculty of Law. Available at: https://lauda.ulapland.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/64771/Hasa_Juho.pdf?sequence=1 . Accessed 1 March 2024.).
The study aims to examine the current state of property tax administration in Zimbabwean local authorities under the conditions of digitalization. Property taxes within the Zimbabwean local tax system are significantly under-collected, necessitating an urgent enhancement of their contribution to local authority budgets. A quantitative research approach was adopted, collecting data through questionnaires from a target population of 60 staff members within an urban local authority. Purposive sampling was employed to select Chief Executive Officers, Heads of Departments, and staff directly involved with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Property Tax Administration, including ICT departments, accounting and finance staff, and engineering departments. Additionally, residential and commercial property owners were conveniently sampled based on availability and willingness to participate, resulting in a total sample size of 46 respondents. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between Information Technology and property tax administration, suggesting that policymakers should prioritize digitization to enhance effective tax administration. Furthermore, control variables such as population, trade, and GDP were found to have significant relationships with tax administration in Zimbabwe. The introduction of ICTs has been shown to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of property tax administration, underscoring its critical role in the fiscal decentralization of local governments.
Milionis et al.(2023) studied the rate at which automated market makers leak value to arbitrageurs when block times are discrete and follow a Poisson process, and where the risky asset price follows a geometric Brownian motion. We extend their model to analyze another popular mechanism in decentralized finance for onchain trading: Dutch auctions. We compute the expected losses that a seller incurs to arbitrageurs and expected time-to-fill for Dutch auctions as a function of starting price, volatility, decay rate, and average interblock time. We also extend the analysis to gradual Dutch auctions, a variation on Dutch auctions for selling tokens over time at a continuous rate. We use these models to explore the tradeoff between speed of execution and quality of execution, which could help inform practitioners in setting parameters for starting price and decay rate on Dutch auctions, or help platform designers determine performance parameters like block times.
This paper investigates the impact of digital inclusive financial development on local government expenditure incentives at the income level. It does so by constructing a multi-level government Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) model that incorporates the financial sector. By employing empirical methods that involve uncertainty shocks and counterfactual simulations, the research yields several key findings. Firstly, the development of digital inclusive finance contributes to breaking down the urban-rural dual financial structure, thus facilitating balanced economic development within regions. Secondly, it reduces the proportion of financially excluded areas, accelerates fiscal decentralization, leading to an increase in local government fiscal revenue, and, consequently, an expansion of local fiscal expenditures. Thirdly, at a certain stage of digital inclusive finance development, it tends to crowd out residents' investment and consumption. Therefore, the decentralization of fiscal power and the expansion of local government expenditure at this stage may paradoxically inhibit regional economic growth. The study's conclusions validate the significant impact of digital inclusive finance on local government incentives at the income level.
Sampson Anomah, Boadu Ayeboafo, Maurice Aduamoah, Owusu Agyabeng
In an era marked by a profound digital transformation of economies worldwide, Ghana stands as a vivid example of a nation at the crossroads of taxation evolution. The country's tax policies are undergoing a significant shift to adapt to the burgeoning digital economy, with a keen focus on capturing and regulating the ever-expanding revenue streams generated through online enterprises. This research explored the potential of integrating blockchain technology with tax policy. Unstructured and semi-structured interview questions were designed to obtain insight into the problem. A survey was conducted to obtain views on the variables that explained the potential of integrating blockchain technology with tax policy to enhance the effectiveness of taxing online enterprises in Ghana. The study used correlation analysis to confirm propositions derived from preliminary interview and the review of literature. It was found that while blockchain offers significant advantages in bridging the gap for effective online taxation in Ghana, there are challenges which include institutional and regulatory conformity issues, technical integration and alignment incompatibility, and inadequate stakeholder engagement. This result may be useful in the design of tax online tax policy in Ghana and other jurisdictions with similar socio-economic environment.
Before elections, political parties make their campaign promises. These promises are often poorly defined and ambiguous. Such campaign promises are difficult to monitor and confirm their fulfillment. This paper discusses current challenges in monitoring political campaign promises. While monitoring platforms exist, their centralized nature raises concerns about data manipulation. The paper suggests leveraging blockchain technology, specifically smart contracts and independent monitoring bodies, to ensure accurate and tamper-proof traceability of (un)fulfilled promises.
Technology is rooted in every field. Timely and accurate tax collection is a big change for tax authority. This can be solved by using technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, internet of thing and robotic system. The purpose of the study was to discover the potential applications and benefits of blockchain technology in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system. This exhibits how blockchain can increase transparency, streamline compliance, improve auditability, secure data management, streamline supply chain management, and facilitate cross-border transactions under the GST framework provide detailed analysis on how they can promote. This study also discusses about the challenges and contemplations associated with implementing blockchain in the GST system. This study intends to offer a complete overview of the blockchain technology in the GST domain by examining existing literature, case studies & expert opinion.
The emergence of financial technology (Fintech) has revolutionized the global financial landscape, offering innovative solutions that challenge traditional banking systems and investment practices. This review explores the intersection of Fintech, taxation, and regulatory compliance, highlighting the complexities and opportunities within this dynamic ecosystem. Fintech encompasses a wide range of technologies, including blockchain, artificial intelligence, and mobile payment systems, which have streamlined financial services and expanded access to capital markets. However, this rapid evolution poses significant challenges for taxation and regulatory frameworks. Traditional tax laws struggle to keep pace with the speed and complexity of digital transactions, leading to uncertainties in tax treatment and enforcement. Navigating the tax implications of Fintech requires a nuanced understanding of digital assets, decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, and cross-border transactions. Tax authorities worldwide are grappling with these challenges, seeking to balance innovation and compliance while ensuring a fair and transparent tax regime. The review examines various approaches adopted by governments and regulatory bodies to address Fintech taxation, including legislative reforms, international cooperation, and the use of advanced data analytics. Furthermore, regulatory compliance remains a critical concern for Fintech firms, as they must navigate a labyrinth of rules and standards across jurisdictions. Compliance requirements vary widely, ranging from anti-money laundering (AML) regulations to data protection laws, presenting operational and legal challenges for market participants. The review discusses strategies for achieving regulatory compliance in the Fintech sector, emphasizing the importance of proactive risk management, regulatory engagement, and technological solutions such as RegTech. Despite these challenges, the convergence of Fintech, taxation, and regulatory compliance offers immense opportunities for innovation and growth. By embracing digital transformation and adopting agile regulatory frameworks, governments and businesses can unlock the full potential of Fintech while safeguarding financial stability and integrity. This review provides insights into the evolving landscape of Fintech taxation and regulatory compliance, highlighting key trends, challenges, and best practices for navigating this new frontier in finance. Keywords: Fintech, Taxation, Financial, Technology, Review.
Álvaro Hernández Sánchez, Beatriz María Sastre-Hernández, Javier Jorge-Vázquez, Sergio Luis Náñez Alonso
This article highlights the complexity of taxation surrounding cryptocurrency transactions due to the lack of uniform regulation, creating uncertainty for both taxpayers and tax authorities. After determining the tax obligations of individuals in taxation, a survey has been conducted to assess the level of knowledge and compliance with tax obligations related to cryptocurrencies. The survey, in which 103 people participated, reveals the confusion and errors that prevail in perceptions of the tax obligations for cryptocurrencies, particularly in transactions such as swapping and staking in personal income tax. This results in almost half of the respondents (49.5%) not declaring any of their operations with cryptocurrencies. The reasons for this include the fact that the majority of respondents (66%) find the regulation of cryptocurrencies in Spain confusing and difficult to understand. Additionally, 87.4% believe that tax agencies should provide more information and resources on the taxation of cryptocurrencies and digital assets, and that there should be clearer and more comprehensive regulation. However, it should be noted that 41.7% also consider that tax regulation discourages investment in cryptocurrencies.
Jori Grym, Jaakko Aspara, Monomita Nandy, Suman Lodh
Tax evasion is a major issue for authorities worldwide. Understanding the factors that influence individuals' intrinsic motivation to pay taxes, known as their tax morale, is important for improving tax compliance. This study investigated gender differences in judging tax evasion in the context of cryptocurrency trading. Specifically, a survey study explored whether different moral foundations, financial literacies, and political orientations among females vs. males might explain potential gender differences in judging tax evasion. In an online survey, 243 U.S. adults read a vignette about a friend evading taxes in a cryptocurrency trading context. In a correlational analysis, we found that females judged tax evasion harsher, as being more morally wrong than males. Of the psychographic factors, only individualizing moral foundation values (i.e., fairness and harm avoidance) explained the harsher moral judgment by females. That is, individualizing moral foundation values were at a higher level among females, which further predicted females' harsher judgment of tax evasion. While females also had, on average, lower financial literacy and knowledge of cryptocurrencies than males, these did not predict their harsher judgment of tax evasion. The findings contribute to research on gender differences in moral judgments and highlight that a given transgression, or a specific crime, may violate different moral values in men and women. The results demonstrate to policy makers that it is important to take into account gender differences, in campaigns promoting tax morale and compliance.
Aziz N. Berdiev, Rajeev K. Goel, James W. Saunoris
Abstract The recent prevalence of digital currencies has challenged policymakers as they try to control the supply of money and rein in clandestine activities. Corruption and shadow economy are widely prevalent illegal/unobserved activities that have been hard to eliminate worldwide. These longstanding and entrenched activities have possibly found a new avenue to thrive and evade detection/punishment. So disentangling the nexus between corruption, shadow economy, and digital currencies is important. Using recent cross‐country data, this paper analyzes the interrelationships between corruption, shadow economy, and cryptocurrencies. We argue that a large underground sector in a nation provides a mechanism through which corrupt government officials use cryptocurrencies to conceal their unauthorized earnings. Employing formal mediation analysis, our results show that the positive nexus between corruption and cryptocurrency adoption is mediated by the shadow sector. Quantitatively speaking, three‐fourths of the correlation between corruption and cryptocurrency usage is mediated by the shadow economy. The primary implication of our findings is that effective monitoring of cryptocurrencies should pay attention to policies to control both corruption and the shadow economy.
Joseph Kuba Nembe, Joy Ojonoka Atadoga, Beatrice Oyinkansola Adelakun, Olubusola Odeyemi · 5 authors
Blockchain technology has emerged as a disruptive force in the realms of tax compliance and financial regulation, presenting both opportunities and challenges for governments, businesses, and regulators worldwide. This abstract explores the multifaceted legal implications stemming from the integration of blockchain technology into tax systems and financial frameworks. The decentralization and transparency inherent in blockchain networks offer promising avenues for enhancing tax compliance. Smart contracts, powered by blockchain, can automate tax calculations and payments, reducing errors and facilitating real-time monitoring of transactions. Additionally, the immutable nature of blockchain ledgers provides auditors with an unprecedented level of transparency and traceability, potentially reducing tax evasion and fraud. However, the adoption of blockchain technology also poses significant regulatory challenges. The anonymity afforded by certain blockchain implementations raises concerns regarding the identification and verification of taxpayers and transactions, potentially hindering enforcement efforts. Moreover, the cross-border nature of blockchain transactions complicates traditional tax jurisdictional boundaries, necessitating international cooperation and harmonization of tax policies. In the realm of financial regulation, blockchain technology introduces novel considerations for regulators seeking to ensure market integrity and investor protection. The proliferation of blockchain-based financial products, such as cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets, challenges existing regulatory frameworks designed for traditional financial instruments. Regulators must grapple with issues of investor disclosure, market manipulation, and systemic risk in this rapidly evolving landscape. Furthermore, the decentralized nature of blockchain networks challenges the efficacy of traditional regulatory mechanisms, such as centralized oversight and enforcement. Regulators face the daunting task of striking a balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding against potential risks, such as money laundering and terrorist financing, inherent in decentralized financial systems. The integration of blockchain technology into tax compliance and financial regulation presents a complex array of legal implications. While offering potential benefits in terms of efficiency and transparency, blockchain also necessitates adaptation and evolution of regulatory frameworks to address emerging challenges and risks in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Effective collaboration between governments, businesses, and regulators is essential to harness the transformative potential of blockchain technology while mitigating its associated legal and regulatory challenges. Keywords: Blockchain, Regulators, Legal, Tax, Technology, Financial, Review.
Environment policies have evolved over the years around the world, in part due to growing awareness among the population of the challenges posed by climate change. The decentralization of policymaking, administrative and political responsibilities to the subnational levels of administration may also have played a part to the extent that it creates room for bottom-up policy experimentation and citizen participation in policy design, including in areas related to the environment, that may influence people’s preferences and attitudes and ultimately government policy. To shed light on these linkages, this paper provides cross-country empirical evidence based on national accounts data that decentralization is associated with higher government spending on environment-related programmes, as well as higher collection of environmental taxes in the advanced economies, controlling for conventional public finance covariates.
This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology in U.S. tax administration. It explores how these technologies are revolutionizing tax compliance and fraud detection, offering a comparative analysis with traditional methods. The paper highlights the potential benefits of these technologies in enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and transparency in tax administration, aligning with the U.S. government's objectives of ensuring fiscal integrity and public trust. The review also examines international best practices and proposes how the U.S. can leverage these technologies to maintain its global leadership in financial governance and innovation. The study is structured around four key objectives: assessing the current integration of AI and blockchain in tax administration, evaluating their effectiveness in enhancing tax compliance, identifying implementation challenges, and developing strategic recommendations. Employing a comprehensive literature review approach, the study synthesizes findings from various sources to provide an in-depth understanding of the role and impact of these technologies in modern tax systems. The results reveal that AI and blockchain significantly improve tax compliance and administration efficiency but also introduce challenges such as data privacy concerns and the need for robust regulatory frameworks. In conclusion, the study underscores the transformative potential of AI and blockchain in tax administration, recommending continuous research and development, coupled with stakeholder education and engagement. These efforts are crucial for overcoming operational challenges and fully harnessing the benefits of these technologies in modernizing tax systems. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations for policymakers, tax authorities, and researchers, emphasizing the importance of a balanced approach that fosters technological innovation while maintaining legal compliance and adherence to fundamental principles. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Tax Administration, Tax Compliance, Digital Transformation, Financial Governance.
Purpose This study aimed to examine the adoption of consortium blockchain technology to ensure interoperability for the transparency of budgetary control in Ghanaian local government. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on the design science research (DSR) observational technique for developing a consortium blockchain budgetary control system for Ghana's local government. Findings The study resulted in the design of a consortium blockchain monitoring and evaluation system to set up a mechanism to monitor various budget projects, processes and transactions for Ghana's local government. The findings also proved Ghana is ideally positioned to gain an advantage from designed artefacts such as ours, given its digital financial service (DFS) policy. In addition, the evaluation of the designed artefact proves there will be a positive impact on budgetary processes by addressing transparency concerns; however, the success of this concern depends on how the local government organisation embraces the artefact. Research limitations/implications The study sheds light on budget monitoring and evaluation tied to peer-to-peer (P2P) participation in the public sector via an advanced administrative digitalised networking and communication algorithm (A Distributed Ledger Technology - blockchain). The difference between the designed artefact and the traditional M&E system is argued. The study is limited by the paradoxes and inefficiencies of the integration of blockchain into the Ghanaian local government but, at the same time, presents a high level of certainty and possibility. Practical implications The proposed artefact has presented relevance because it is a new solution to existing concerns like trust, transparency, accountability and compliance, thereby improving local government budget administration. Originality/value The study has offered unique and new methods, guidelines and designs for tracking various budget projects and processes beyond the conventional technology-driven approach via DSR, exhibiting a unique solution for solving budget transparency, trust, accountability, compliance and data accessibility concerns.
Although tax authorities are increasingly moving to digitalisation, there has been limited use of blockchain for assisting tax administration and compliance. This article discusses the potential use of blockchain technology for this purpose. In particular, the Australian tax system is considered in light of the challenges identified in the recent official report published by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue. These challenges result from the rising gig economy, complex work-related deduction rules for individual taxpayers and, more generally, tax evasion in the cash economy. To overcome these challenges, this article proposes a blockchain solution that increases taxpayer engagement with the tax and superannuation system. Not only would this solution benefit the Australian Government's ability to raise revenue and induce a good compliance culture, but a similar solution could be adopted in other jurisdictions.
2008 yılında Satoshi Nakamoto adlı bir kişi veya grup tarafından ortaya atılan, merkeziyetsiz ve dijital bir para olan Bitcoinin ilk transferinin yapıldığı yıl olan 2009 yılından günümüze kadar geçen sürede, Bitcoinin açık kaynak kodlarından esinlenen binlerce kripto para çeşidi yaratılmış, bu da işlem hacmi çok yüksek bir piyasanın oluşmasına sebep olmuştur. Halihazırda gelinen noktada, kripto paraların, büyük bir işlem hacmi ile yaygın bir şekilde kullanılmakta olduğu artık tartışma götürmez bir gerçek olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Kripto paralar ile yapılan işlemlerden elde edilen gelirlerin vergilendirilmesi, kripto paraların dayandığı karmaşık teknoloji ve kripto paraların hukuki nitelendirilmesinin zorluğu nedeni ile gerek karşılaştırmalı hukukta gerekse Türk Hukukunda henüz belirli temellere oturtulabilmiş değildir. Bu çerçevede bu çalışmanın amacı Türk Hukukunda kripto paraların nasıl vergilendirilebileceğine ilişkin önerilerde bulunmaktır. Bu bağlamda, bu çalışmada öncelikle karşı karşıya kalınan olgunun anlaşılması için kripto paranın ne olduğu ve blokzincir teknolojisi incelenmiş ve akabinde, karşılaştırmalı hukuk da dikkate alınarak kripto paraların hukuki nitelendirme problemi incelenmiştir. Türk Hukukunda, kripto paraların hukuki niteliğinin dijital gayri maddi iktisadi kıymet olduğu sonucuna ulaşıldıktan sonra ise gelir üzerinden alınan vergiler, servet üzerinden alınan vergiler ve harcamalar üzerinden alınan vergiler açısından kripto paraların nasıl vergilendirilebileceği incelenmiştir. Bu inceleme yapılırken, AB müktesebatı, OECD ülke uygulamaları ve ABD, Birleşik Krallık, Almanya ve Fransa’daki vergi uygulamaları incelenmiştir.
This article explores the potential of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), with a focus on blockchain, to address key challenges related to the security, ownership, and management of personal data. We trace the foundational work of Haber and Stornetta, who introduced the core principles of blockchain to secure digital records within the real economy. Building on this, Nakamoto’s innovations in blockchain technology introduced a native crypto-asset, which not only aligns and concentrates the interests of network participants but also resolves the previously unsolved “double-spending problem.” This breakthrough decentralizes the verification and control of recorded information, enhancing security in monetary transactions Migrants often face challenges related to rights protection, identity management, and limited access to financial services. Blockchain applications, with their strengths in secure data storage, transparent transactions, and reliable identity verification, offer promising solutions. In this article, we examine real-world blockchain applications that enhance identity management and foster financial inclusion for migrants. Blockchain provides an infrastructure that empowers individuals with greater control over their financial and personal data, particularly through self-sovereign identity (SSI) and the use of stablecoins as global currencies. These innovations are becoming foundational components of a new digital ecosystem for information and finance.
Following the judgment Hedqvist in 2015, it appeared settled that cryptocurrencies fall within the same (Value Added Tax) VAT exemption as their more traditional counterparts. Discussions however have recently emerged around Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), for which an exemption appears not to be in reach. The article argues that a re-evaluation is now necessary. Most crypto-assets have proven themselves to be useful, and in fact used, predominantly for speculative purposes only, i.e., as high risk investments which might generate significant returns or losses. As such, the paper argues that cryptocurrencies and other volatile NFTs should be placed on the same footing, and discusses whether they are not in fact properly classified as ‘other securities’. VAT, Crypto, Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFT, Exemption, Financial Services