Contents: Preface. 1. Taxation: Past, Present and Future. 2. Approach to taxation. 3. Issues in taxation. 4. Excess burden of taxation. 5. Basis for Taxation: Income. 6. Basis for Taxation: Consumption. 7. Economic Effects of Income and Expenditure Taxes. 8. Fringe Benefits Tax. 10. Tax Reform: Issues and Directions. 12. Towards Goods and Services Tax. Bibliography.

In the domain of public finance, the study of taxation is an important component. It is taught to the students of economics business and public administration in all colleges and universities.

The present book Economics of Taxation encompasses the lectures delivered by the author to the students of economics and public administration. In a world characterized by the presence of asymmetric information and economic uncertainities, taxation is regarded as one of the three glorious certainities. The other two being price rise and death.

Right from the emergence of State, the issue of taxation has attracted the attention of government, advisors of the government and the commoners. Government’s interest can be attributed to a desire to collect more revenue. Advisors are interested in the study of economic gains and losses that are commonly associated with taxation. The commoners look at the whole process of taxation, sometimes with awe, anger and civilized method of discharging their duties as law-abiding citizens.

The book presents in detail, some of the issues which normally receive a passing mention. Another significant feature of the book is non-mathematical treatment of some of the highly mathematical issues involved in taxation. Suitable figures, flow charts and tables have been used to make the book more comprehensible. It will prove useful to the students and teachers of taxation. It will also help those working in private as well as Public sector in understanding the major issues related to taxation. (Jacket)