Payroll taxes increase reserves in Ukraine

Abstract

The authors analyzed the reformation of the payroll taxation mechanism in Ukraine, identified wage differences of the employees at the large, medium-sized and small business entities, figured out the reserves to increase tax revenues and cover the deficit of the Pension Fund of Ukraine by decreasing shadow wages and improving payroll taxation in Ukraine. Significant attention is paid to the salaries of the top managers of large business entities as a possible field of applying progressive taxation of personal income. Based on the analysis of the EU countries experience, the authors suggest imposing the second progressive personal income tax rate of 32% for the monthly income that exceeds 15 minimum wages. As well, the abolishment of the maximum unified social contribution base is recommended. In the paper, the authors prove the importance of reducing the level of the shadow economy in Ukraine by forming a public trust to the government policy and using accumulated tax funds appropriately. It has been proved that by reducing the shadowing of the Ukrainian economy to the EU level, the deficit of the Pension Fund of Ukraine can be covered only partially. This fact determines the necessity for Ukraine to ensure economic growth and increase wages.