THE CURRENT STATE OF TAX REVENUES IN THE CONTEXT OF GDP IN THE EU COUNTRIES AND UKRAINE

Abstract

The article provides insights into the nature of tax policy of the EU member states and Ukraine. A comprehensive analysis of the current state of tax revenues in Ukraine and in the EU countries has been made. In particular, their size was estimated which revealed the critical need for optimization and reformation of the Ukrainian tax system to increase tax revenues and spur the GDP enhancement. The research problems and objectives have been attained and accomplished through application of the following research methods: a comparative analysis – to assess the current state of tax revenues in the EU and Ukraine; scientific synthesis and systematization – to identify and group the incentive instruments to foster Ukraine's fiscal policy towards European integration. The share of state budget revenues and the share of tax revenues to the state budget are considered and analyzed. Recommendations on increasing tax revenues and raising the GDP level in Ukraine in the context of European best practice have been developed. It is argued that the state should not increase tax rates thus encouraging tax evasion but build a system of legal restrictions on government fiscal policy along with delivering a mutually agreed, comprehensive improvement of all structural elements of the tax system.