A remodelling of Adam Smith’s tax design principles

Clinton Alley, University of Waikato
Duncan Bentley, Bond University

Article comments

Alley, C & Bentley, D. A remodelling of Adam Smith’s tax design principles (2005) 20 Australian Tax Forum 579.

The Australian Tax Forum is published by the Taxation Institute of Australia

Copyright ©Taxation Institute of Australia 2005. All Rights Reserved
Permission granted.

Abstract

This article examines the principles that are widely used in designing tax systems. It is apparent that the design principles of Adam Smith are still relevant. However, in light of new business practices including the continued evolution of electronic commerce, they are applied slightly differently. An analysis of the principles used by the OECD in its examination of rules governing electronic commerce and principles developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants shed light on their modern usage. From a comparison of the application of these principles this article recommends the adoption of five principles to govern tax design. This will provide both a common understanding and a common approach to tax design.