From New Delhi's Business Standard, April 8:
Advanced economies with robust tax systems should increase their top income tax rates for a period, IMF said
High earners and companies that prospered in the coronavirus crisis should pay additional tax to show solidarity with those who were hit hardest by the pandemic, according to IMF. A temporary tax would help to reduce social inequalities that have been exacerbated by the economic and health crisis of the past year, the fund said on Wednesday, in an interview published in the Financial Times. It would also reassure those worst affected that the fight against Covid-19 is a collective endeavour within societies. Vitor Gaspar, IMF’s head of fiscal affairs, told the Financial Times that a symbolic rise in taxation from those who have prospered over the past year would strengthen social cohesion even if there was not a pressing need to repair the public finances. Countries should consider this policy as it would help boost their citizens’ perception “that everybody contributes to the effort necessary for recovery from Covid-19”, he said. IMF cited a rise in inequality during the pandemic as younger and poorer people suffered most, being at much greater risk of losing their jobs and incomes.
Advanced economies with robust tax systems should increase their top income tax rates for a period, IMF said. “The symbolic impact of this type of contribution is sometimes very important . . . typically, they occur in a very exceptional circumstances where social solidarity plays a particularly strong role,” Gaspar said.
The IMF’s call comes despite the fact that most countries are not facing a crisis in their public finances....
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