Lithuania Reforms Tax and Pension Systems
In late June the Lithuanian Parliament adopted a law that consolidated the employer and employee base for social security contributions and significantly cut the rate of contributions.
Economy
Options for Croatian Tax Cuts Are on the Table
Previous tax cuts released 1% of GDP worth value to taxpayers’ pockets, followed by ongoing red tape cuts and market deregulations. These moderately intensive reform trends have created a methodologically based contribution for slight increase of economic freedom.
Bulgarian Currency Board: Relic from Turbulent Past or Necessary Tool for Economic Stability?
This paper aims to explore the history, structure, and economic consequences of the currency board in Bulgaria, which was introduced as an emergency measure to combat the late-nineties economic crisis, though has stayed in place ever since.
Basic Forward, Basic Back, Turn Left: Slovenia’s Polka-Step Transition
Measured with the Economic Freedom of the World ratings framework, Slovenia’s situation in 2015 was inferior, relative to 1995, in several areas. Notably, regarding government consumption, private sector credit, the legal system, and property rights.
Labor Migration and Flexibility of Regulation for Employing Non-EU Nationals
LFMI has just released its latest paper “Labor Migration and Flexibility of Regulation for Employing Non-EU Nationals”. It addresses the economic effects of migration and implications of employing non-EU nationals and provides a cross-country legislative and policy analysis on the flexibility of hiring of non-EU nationals.
Trade Facilitation Means Transparency and Clear Rules for Ukraine
The first steps of the long-awaited customs reform in Ukraine started in 2017 only to be cancelled at the beginning of 2018. Meanwhile, customs clearance in the country remains lengthy and complicated, which is reflected in Ukraine’s low positions in comparative international rankings.
Retail Opening Hours in Europe: Regulation That Fails
Regulation of retail opening hours is applicable in 14 out of 30 European countries. The range of the regulation varies widely across the countries, as evidenced by a variety of exemptions. Yet, the bans fail to achieve their objectives: a number of European countries have gone through deregulation.
Energy Taxation Directive Should Protect Europeans
Energy Taxation Directive (ETD) claims to improve the Single Market, promote energy efficiency, and contribute to jobs and growth. In reality, it fails to achieve these objectives. The research by LFMI suggests that in 2012 the grey market for fuel comprised nearly 20 percent of the market for transportation fuel.
Energy Taxes and Lobbying Against Free Trade
TEP required member states to liberalize the power markets while RED set incentives to pick-up champions. The call for opinion on the ETD intends, presumably, to boost EU common market, while the RED and other policies are fragmenting it.
Tax Freedom Day Falls in Lithuania
May 23, 2018 – the symbolic Tax Freedom Day, marking the day when an average taxpayer has paid all the dues to the government and begins to work for himself, falls in Lithuania. This year the Tax Freedom Day comes on the same day as in the last year, according to the Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI).
