Introduction

As far as income taxation is concerned, the year 2001 brought further evidence of the global integration of economies. International tax design seems to show convergence with respect to governing principles and has been generally shaped by efficiency, raising tax revenues, enforceability and, last but not least, goals related to equity. In the OECD countries the emphasis has generally been on combating tax evasion through measures against the harmful tax competition of countries, as well as introducing legislation with a view to neutrality, ie trying to minimize discrimination in favour or against any particular economic choices. At the same time, in less developed countries, the focus has mainly been on increasing the revenue-raising potential of tax systems.