Tax by Design

Tax by Design presents a picture of coherent tax reform whose aim is to identify the characteristics of a good tax system for any open developed economy.

'Whatever view you take of tax reform, you will need to read this volume in order to participate in the debate.' Mervyn King, Governor, Bank of England

'Theory and practice rarely are brought together effectively. This volume is the best public economics has to offer. It should be read by anyone who cares about the future of taxation - that is anyone who cares about the future of government.' Lawrence Summers, Charles W. Eliot University Professor of Harvard University

'a fundamental review of British taxes by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the first such exercise for more than 30 years. The results are a bracing blast of fresh air, which deserves to scour away some of the tax junk that has accreted over the decades.' Tim Harford, Financial Times

'a worthy successor to the 1978 Meade Review of taxation ... The Review is a terrific achievement ... the most thorough and clear-sighted assessment of the UK tax system we have seen for decades.' Diane Coyle, The Enlightened Economist

'The report was compiled by some of the world's finest economic brains...' Peter Wilby, New Statesman