Revenue Administration: Managing the Shadow Economy

Barrie Russell

No 2010/014, IMF Technical Notes and Manuals from International Monetary Fund

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: TNM; revenue agency; shadow economy; revenue; agency; taxpayer; PLEASE PROVIDE; please provide; shadow economy operator; enquiry staff; project approach; shadow economy risk; shadow economy practice; Informal economy; Small and medium enterprises; Personal income; Tax administration core functions; East Asia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 16
Date: 2010-07-29
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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