COVID-19 and Fiscal Policies: COVID-19 and Taxation in Southeastern Europe

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic in Southeastern Europe brought into focus issues which have been plaguing the countries of the region for some years. Although their responses, as well as results in terms of curbing the spread of the epidemic were among the most successful in the world, their taxation responses were more modest. For the time being tax obligations are being deferred in order to allow businesses to use the available funds for day to day operations instead of meeting their tax obligations. However, the gravity of the pending economic crisis will force the governments of Southeastern European countries to considerably revisit their tax policies in particular in respect to their relations with the more developed nations with whom they share the same continent. COVID-19, immigration, deferral of tax obligations, postponement of tax procedures, tax policy.