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This Technical Assistance Report discusses several tax administration issues and high-level recommendations for the reform agenda. The General Directorate of Taxes (GDT) continues to make good progress in modernizing its administration of the taxation system. A program to consolidate some core functions into fewer regional locations, beginning with the arrears collection function, should be accelerated. The GDT’s increased use of electronic services and telephone contact centers reduces the need for face-to-face contact with taxpayers. The GDT must have access to a broader range of third-party information, and data-warehouse facilities to manage the risk assessment with automated analytical tools. There are some positive developments in the audit function; however, further capacity building is necessary. A new comprehensive desk audit manual has been developed, which will help to standardize operations and provide more appropriate case allocation based on auditor experience and skills.

Economic indicators --- Fiscal policy --- Tax policy --- Taxation --- Economic policy --- Finance, Public --- Business indicators --- Indicators, Business --- Indicators, Economic --- Leading indicators --- Economic history --- Quality of life --- Economic forecasting --- Index numbers (Economics) --- Social indicators --- Government policy --- Albania --- Economic conditions. --- Public Finance --- Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue: General --- Auditing --- Dispute Resolution: Strikes, Arbitration, and Mediation --- Collective Bargaining --- Public finance & taxation --- Management accounting & bookkeeping --- Tax administration core functions --- Large taxpayer office --- Revenue administration --- Tax refunds --- Public financial management (PFM) --- Dispute resolution --- Tax administration and procedure --- Revenue

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This 2019 Article IV Consultation with the Dominican Republic discusses that the economy rebounded to a record high growth of 7 percent in 2018, with the positive momentum carrying into early 2019. The strong economic and policy performance has strengthened resilience to downside risks, but vulnerabilities remain. The fiscal position is under moderate sustainability and affordability pressures; key structural bottlenecks have not been addressed; and social outcomes can be further strengthened. Upcoming elections in 2020 are likely to dominate the near-term policy landscape. The outlook is favorable, with growth moderating to potential, inflation picking up toward target with fading supply shocks, and the external position normalizing. Risks are moderate and balanced: on the upside, solid income and credit growth could sustain domestic demand, while on the downside external risks are building up. Tighter fiscal policies are warranted by demand, sustainability and affordability considerations. A frontloaded adjustment, anchored on widening the tax base and mindful of the distributional effects of the adjustment measures, would help reverse the upward debt dynamics.

Economic indicators. --- Business indicators --- Economic indicators --- Indicators, Business --- Indicators, Economic --- Leading indicators --- Economic history --- Quality of life --- Economic forecasting --- Index numbers (Economics) --- Social indicators --- Aggregate Factor Income Distribution --- Civil service & public sector --- Commodities --- Computer Programs: Other --- Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology --- Debt Management --- Debt --- Debts, Public --- Econometrics & economic statistics --- Economic sectors --- Electric Utilities --- Electric utilities --- Electricity --- Finance, Public --- Income --- Inflation --- Investment & securities --- Investments: Energy --- Macroeconomics --- National accounts --- Public debt --- Public Enterprises --- Public finance & taxation --- Public Finance --- Public sector --- Public-Private Enterprises --- Revenue administration --- Revenue --- Sovereign Debt --- Statistics --- Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue: General --- Dominican Republic

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This 2019 Article IV Consultation discusses Colombia’s economy that is improving drastically and is supported by very strong policy frameworks and well-executed policies. The recovery is gaining momentum and external imbalances have widened. Despite weaker-than-expected external demand, activity is expected to accelerate in 2019. Rebounding investment, continued policy support, and substantial migration from Venezuela are expected to lift growth to 3.6 percent while the current account deficit is expected to remain wide. The authorities expect the recovery to gather momentum in 2019 and inflation to remain close to target. Structural reforms are needed to boost inclusive growth and enhance external competitiveness. Addressing infrastructure gaps, strengthening governance and the rule of law, reducing informality, and enhancing customs and other trade practices are crucial. The draft National Development Plan rightly identifies key priorities and lays out a roadmap for reforms.

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This Article IV Consultation highlights that economic performance remains robust but risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside amid slowing external demand. Sound macroeconomic policies notwithstanding, Bulgaria faces a sizable income gap vis-à-vis the EU average and unfavorable demographic prospects. The main policy challenge is to raise growth potential, which calls for broad-based structural reforms to improve public goods provision and institutions. The Article IV discussions focused on medium-term reforms to improve public goods provision and raise potential growth and on near-term policies to enhance financial sector stability. Fiscal policy is broadly appropriate, but the efficiency of spending and revenue administration could be further improved. Stronger public investment management would improve investment efficiency and transparency. Better performance of state-owned enterprises would help raise growth potential and mitigate fiscal risks. Bank profits have risen and non-performing loans (NPLs) have continued to decline, although they are still high among EU countries. The central bank should ensure that banks with high NPLs have adequate capital buffers.

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This paper discusses Jamaica’s Sixth Review Under the Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). All quantitative performance criteria, indicative targets, and the structural benchmark at end-June were met, marking a successful completion of the SBA. Discussions centered on policies to lock-in macroeconomic stability and advance supply-side reforms to promote inclusive growth, including: building institutions and advancing fiscal reforms to safeguard and sustain economic stability and debt reduction; improving monetary operations and policy transmission; and bolstering financial inclusion, access to credit, and formality. Most structural policy commitments are on track, although some key reforms to public sector transformation, the compensation framework for public employees, legislation to establish a fiscal council, and creating a special resolution regime for financial institutions have been delayed due to capacity constraints and the need to build stakeholder support for these reforms. Important gains have been made in the oversight of financial institutions.

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