This book tells an instructive tale of Hong Kong's tax system from 1940 (when taxes on income were first introduced in the territory) until the present day. For Hong Kong's own historians and political scientists, it supplies cogent but previously neglected evidence of the influence of the territory's business interests. For students of British imperialism, it provides a compelling case-study of relations between London and a recalcitrant colony. For Hong Kong's own tax profession, it corrects the notion that the territory's tax system was the product of governmental design. And for tax theorists and taxpayers everywhere, it suggests how it might be possible to structure a combination of very light taxes and very low public spending so as to win broad popular support.--Michael Littlewood is a member of the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, where he teaches tax. His work has been published in the U.S., the U.K., Hong Kong, China, the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. He lived in Hong Kong from 1989 until 2003.--"An excellent read ... partly a matter of 'who done it?' but, even more so, of 'how did they get away with it?' Dr. Littlewood's book will prove indispensable for anyone wanting to use the Hong Kong precedent to argue for a flat rate tax system in their own country." - John Tiley, Professor of Tax Law, University of Cambridge--"Fascinating ... [This book is] a first-rate history and raises troubling questions about the necessity of linking taxes and democratic choice. The book also raises intriguing doubts about whether low taxes and low services may be an acceptable alternative model to the prevalent high-tax, high-services Western welfare state. This book should be required reading for students of political science, history, sociology and law." - Reuven Avi-Yonah, Irwin I. Kohn Professor of Law, University of Michigan-----

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this very useful analysis of constitutional law in Hong Kong provides essential information on the country’s sources of constitutional law, its form of government, and its administrative structure. Lawyers who handle transnational matters will appreciate the clarifications of particular terminology and its application. Throughout the book, the treatment emphasizes the specific points at which constitutional law affects the interpretation of legal rules and procedure. Thorough coverage by a local expert fully describes the political system, the historical background, the role of treaties, legislation, jurisprudence, and administrative regulations. The discussion of the form and structure of government outlines its legal status, the jurisdiction and workings of the central state organs, the subdivisions of the state, its decentralized authorities, and concepts of citizenship. Special issues include the legal position of aliens, foreign relations, taxing and spending powers, emergency laws, the power of the military, and the constitutional relationship between church and state. Details are presented in such a way that readers who are unfamiliar with specific terms and concepts in varying contexts will fully grasp their meaning and significance. Its succinct yet scholarly nature, as well as the practical quality of the information it provides, make this book a valuable time-saving tool for both practising and academic jurists. Lawyers representing parties with interests in Hong Kong will welcome this guide, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative constitutional law.

Laws of Taxation in the Hong Kong SAR offers a socio-economic perspective on Hong Kong tax law. It provides an in-depth study for professionals who are already familiar with HKSAR tax law and wish to further examine the theory behind it. the aim of the bo

This two-volume set offers an in-depth analysis of the leading tax treaty disputes in the G20 and beyond within the first century of international tax law. Including country-by-country and thematic analyses, the study is structured around a novel global taxonomy of tax treaty disputes and includes an unprecedented dataset with over 1500 leading tax treaty cases. By adopting a contextual approach the local expertise of the contributors allows for a thorough and transparent analysis. This set is an important reference tool for anyone implementing or studying international tax regulations and will facilitate the work of courts, tax administrations and practitioners around the world. It is designed to complement model conventions such as the OECD Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital. Together with Resolving Transfer Pricing Disputes (2012), it is a comprehensive addition to current debate on the international tax law regime.

Capital gains taxes pose a host of technical and political design problems and yet, while the literature on the theory of capital gains taxation is substantial, little has been published on how governments have addressed these dilemmas. Written by a team of distinguished international experts, Capital Gains Taxation addresses the gap in the literature; it explains how a number of countries tax capital gains and the successes and pitfalls of these methods.

''The broad sweep of "green taxation" pollution, carbon, resource and land taxes, and tax incentives for environmental goals makes it complex to analyse. Green Taxation in East Asia is a timely and valuable comparative contribution to an expanding literature. Its scholarly country studies show how green taxes aim to modify behaviour, correct externalities, regulate, or raise revenue. As environmental policy and tax policy move closer together, green taxes become feasible, but are always, as the editors say, "shaped by local political, economic and social circumstances".'' Miranda Stewart, University of Melbourne, Australia ''In today''s world, environmental challenges grow apace and the impact of taxation measures on these will prove critical. Green Taxation in East Asia addresses those challenges. It draws on world-wide experiences (including those from North America and the EU) by analysing and critiquing how green taxation can inform, develop and implement environmental policies in East Asia (and beyond). This is not a sterile tax debate. The authors of this work, all leading scholars in their respective jurisdictions, combine economic, social and local political perspectives on what should work and what should not. The debate is too important to ignore in a world where Kyoto seems a long way from Washington, the fragrant harbour is no longer, and even in the lands down-under, long white clouds and pristine beaches are no longer taken for granted. Taxation is not a panacea for curing environmental ills; but it is, as this book admirably shows, part of the answer.'' Andrew Halkyard, University of Hong Kong ''The right of East Asia to grow its economy and provide its citizens with living standards enjoyed elsewhere is as undeniable as the risk to the global environment from this growth. A volume that contrasts current initiatives in China and Hong Kong to reduce that risk with lessons from international experience presented by leading international experts from four continents, is more than just timely; it can make a key contribution to the development of contemporary thinking on taxation and the environment. This work fits the bill perfectly.'' Rick Krever, Monash University, Australia ''The authors of the jurisdictional chapters in this book are, of necessity, more focussed on analyzing the interaction, today between taxation (and related fiscal measures) and the environment. From these studies it is clear that a great deal is amiss in the way this interface works at present across all the jurisdictions under review. But this research also shows positive steps being taken and great scope for further, positive tax policy development. We can see from this research how smart policy innovation can start right now and also how it can build better foundations for the introduction of more comprehensive, globally effective policy frameworks such as those advanced by Hansen and Sandor. Time is of the essence. The scholarship in this volume shows that lawyers and tax experts are engaged in finding solutions. Can green taxation make a difference? The answer is a resounding "yes".'' From the foreword by Christine Loh The core concern of this book is the potential use of taxation and related measures to foster climate-helpful, large-scale change within East Asia. The contributing authors examine key issues such as how Greater China, for instance, confronts severe environmental problems which are a direct product of several decades of remarkable economic growth. The detailed analysis in this book identifies a range of green taxation guidelines for East Asia as it seeks to drive down striking levels of environmental degradation and tackle the climate change challenge. Addressing an important need in the public policy debate, this book will appeal to academics, students, government policymakers, regulators and practitioners in environmental law, taxation law and policy, as well as, comparative environmental law and comparative taxation law and policy. Public policy commentators and journalists with an interest in the above areas will also find this book worthwhile and informative.