- The IMF has advised Japan to reconsider plans to remove value-added tax (VAT) on food, recommending instead to raise the headline rate.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pledged to remove VAT on food for two years, a key factor in her recent election win.
- The IMF warns that cutting the consumption tax would erode fiscal space and increase fiscal risks, given Japan’s high debt-to-GDP ratio.
- The IMF suggests any support for vulnerable groups should be temporary, targeted, and budget-neutral, and recommends refundable tax credits as a better alternative.
Source: answerconnect.cch.com
Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.
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