Technical Notes and Manuals

Revenue Administration: Managing the Shadow Economy

By Barrie Russell

July 29, 2010

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Format: Chicago

Barrie Russell. Revenue Administration: Managing the Shadow Economy, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2010) accessed November 8, 2024

Disclaimer: This Technical Guidance Note should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF. The views expressed in this Note are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

This technical note focuses on the concept of a shadow economy and explains its main characteristics. Although a shadow economy is acknowledged by all G-20 countries as a major and enduring revenue risk, by its nature the size of a shadow economy is difficult to measure. Sweden, however, estimates that at least half of its total tax gap is attributable to a shadow economy. This note explains what action should revenue agencies take to manage a shadow economy. The most recent initiatives to manage a shadow economy are also described.

Subject: Economic sectors, Informal economy, National accounts, Personal income, Revenue administration, Small and medium enterprises, Tax administration core functions

Keywords: Agency, East Asia, Enquiry staff, Informal economy, Personal income, Please provide, PLEASE PROVIDE, Project approach, Revenue, Revenue agency, Shadow economy, Shadow economy operator, Shadow economy practice, Shadow economy risk, Small and medium enterprises, Tax administration core functions, Taxpayer, TNM

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    16

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Technical Notes and Manuals No. 2010/014

  • Stock No:

    TNMEA2010014

  • ISBN:

    9781462355587

  • ISSN:

    2075-8669