Development of Value Added Tax in Kosovo – Comparative and Research Aspects 2006-2017

Abstract

This paper aims to present the progress and effects that Value Added Tax (VAT) may have on a country's economy. The efficient fiscal policies would enable a country to develop more rapidly, however it will all depend on the situation, economic state, and the power that the Republic of Kosovo has. VAT is a tax on consumption, and if seen from the buyer's point of view, it is a tax on the purchase price; while from the seller's point of view, it is a tax on the added value of the product or service. VAT revenues comprise the main part of Kosovo's budget financing, where comparative data from 2006 to 2017 are given in this paper, showing the extent of VAT participation in the total revenues of the state of Kosovo. Due to this, the tax system including the VAT, which was established by advancing in harmony with the EU directives and regulations, but maintaining the specific features of the state of Kosovo, has recently changed. Owing to legal changes, among others, the Government of Kosovo raised the VAT tax rate from 16% to 18% in most products, while reduced the VAT from 16% to 8% mainly on basic food products, medications. The state of affairs between the states is relatively different, being influenced by many factors, making it impossible to present consistent scale-level comparisons between them.