FISCAL ISSUES AT THE IMF

Fiscal Policies

Introduction

Fiscal policy affects macroeconomic stability, growth, and income distribution. Citizens expect their governments to ensure value-for-money for public spending, a fair and efficient tax system, and transparent and accountable management of public sector resources.

The IMF has been a leading source of fiscal policy and management expertise worldwide. The IMF monitors and analyzes global fiscal trends and advises IMF member countries on fiscal issues directly. This page highlights the main fiscal policy issues currently under discussion, as well as provides links to research, publications, and commentary.

Current Fiscal Issues
Blogs

Technical Notes
Working Papers

Country Reports

Current Fiscal Issues Fiscal Monitor: Policies for the Recovery

Fiscal Monitor: Fiscal Policy from Pandemic to War

Chapter 1: Fiscal Policy from Pandemic to War

This chapter discusses how fiscal policy operates amid a sharp rise in uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine, rising inflation and interest rates, slower economic growth, and increasing debt vulnerabilities. Amidst pandemic legacies and the war, fiscal policy needs to address the humanitarian crisis and economic disruption while being flexible and ready to adjust as the outlook becomes clearer

Chapter 2: Coordinating Taxation Across Borders

As countries strive to promote an inclusive and green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic—and formulate responses to the immediate impacts of increased energy prices—they face shared challenges to secure tax revenues, address inequalities, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. National tax policies are under pressure to deal with cross-border spillovers—one country’s action affects other countries. This chapter discusses how international coordination on tax matters (i) reduces profit shifting by multinationals and tax competition between countries; (ii) improves tax enforcement by lifting the veil of secrecy to tackle tax evasion; and (iii) limits global warming. The current energy crisis reinforces the case for coordination among major emitters to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, urging countries to not allow near-term responses to detract efforts to establish credible policies for emissions reductions in the medium term.

Special Series on COVID-19

The Special Series notes are produced by IMF experts to help members address the economic effects of COVID-19. The series addresses issues in tax policy, tax administration, public financial management, expenditure policy, and macro-fiscal policies.