Tax
The aim of the research at the CIS is to work towards an efficient and predictable tax system that does not impose too great a burden on the economy.
Publications
Myth vs Reality: The case against increasing Capital Gains Tax
Robert Carling
05 March 2019 | PP18
Australia’s capital gains tax (CGT) policy has been largely settled for almost 20 years. However, it has come under renewed scrutiny as a result of the Australian Labor Party’s federal election platform proposal to halve the 50% CGT discount and thereby effectively increase the tax…
Dividend Franking Credit Refunds: principle vs revenue
Robert Carling
12 February 2019 | PP16
Under Australia’s dividend imputation system of taxation, since 2000 taxpayers whose franking credits exceed their tax liability have been paid a cash refund of the excess. The Labor opposition’s policy is to continue with the imputation system but to abolish cash refunds of excess franking…
Voting for a living: A shift in Australian politics from selling policies to buying votes?
Robert Carling, Terrence O'Brien
05 September 2018 | PP9
This paper explores the hypothesis that growth of government has become self-sustaining through the emergence of a segment of the population that both enjoys sufficient direct support from government and is large enough that political parties shape policies to curry its favour. The researchers use…
Too Little; Too Late: Personal Income Tax Reform in Australia
Robert Carling, Matthew O’Donnell
13 June 2018 | PP5
The main thrust of the Government’s proposed personal income tax changes announced in the 2018-19 Budget is welcome, but they could be improved to better promote economic efficiency. Also, implementation should be brought forward, with the earlier revenue losses offset by tighter expenditure management. Specifically,…
Cutting income tax: can we add the bacon to the hamburger and milkshake tax cuts?
Robert Carling
15 April 2018 | PP1
The key problems in personal income tax are excessive marginal rates and an increasing overall average tax rate as bracket creep goes unchecked. Political objectives aside, there is a sound economic case for tax cuts. The government should give priority to instituting a system of…
Media & Commentary
Why Socialism always fails
Steven Kates
15 March 2019 | Spectator
A recent Wall Street Journal editorial Who’s Afraid of Socialism laid out the case that much of the US Democratic platform met the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of socialism. In particular,…
When ‘25% off’ is not enough
Robert Carling
08 March 2019 | Ideas@TheCentre
Labor’s plans for negative gearing and dividend franking credit refunds have stirred up a hornet’s nest of controversy, but the plan to increase capital gains tax (CGT) 50% by halving…
No case to raise CGT by 50%
Robert Carling
05 March 2019 | MEDIA RELEASE
Labor’s plan to hike capital gains tax (CGT) by 50% is based on flawed assumptions and poor calculations, according to a new paper by Centre for Independent Studies economist Robert…
Principle vs revenue in dividend tax furore
Robert Carling
15 February 2019 | Ideas@TheCentre
The furore over dividend franking credit refunds is bringing out the worst in our politicians. The Coalition is running a parliamentary inquiry that has turned into an endless circus parade…
Winners and losers of 2018
Simon Cowan
18 December 2018 | SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
Is it possible to make sense of a tumultuous year in Australia politics (as if there is any other kind these days)? It’s fair to say that those on the…