The acquisition tax and registration tax are the longest tax types in history which have been imposed even before the present taxation system for income, consumption and properties. Many problems from the both two tax items have surfaced in the presen...
The acquisition tax and registration tax are the longest tax types in history which have been imposed even before the present taxation system for income, consumption and properties. Many problems from the both two tax items have surfaced in the present in which the economic and tax circumstances are different with the time of their initial establishment.
The respective problems in acquisition tax and registration tax are as follows: First, while the acquisition tax is under the control of Principle of Real Taxation, it depends on formality theory in defining the acquisition act as the taxable object, which indicates the shortcomings in the consistency in taxation logics and damages the Principle of Tax Equity as well. Second, the registration tax is under control of formality theory because its taxation nature is considered to be belonged to the handling charges. However, its tax burden level is too heavy for handling charges. Third, the co-existence acquisition tax and registration tax lack in the justification as time goes by in the present in which the modern taxation system is organized with taxation system on income, consumption and properties. Fourth, the main sources of acquisition tax and registration tax are the transaction act with relation to the real estate. As the size of tax revenue is susceptible to changes in real estate business, it is difficult to ensure the financial demands. Fifth, the freezing effect of assets caused by the imposed acquisition tax and registration tax may distort the efficient allocation of resources.
The problems caused by the co-existence of acquisition tax and registration tax are as follows: First, It makes the tax law difficult, increasing the cost for collection and tax payment cooperation. Second, the registration tax burden exceeding the normal handling charges level impedes the nature of Principle of Tax Equity. Third, the both tax items are cited as double taxation with each other.
It appears the discussion over integation between the acquisition tax and registration tax has started in order to minimize the basic problems above mentioned. To minimize such problems, it requires the taxation relief for acquisition tax and registration tax. However, as the both two tax items account for most of local tax sources, it will not easy to conduct before ensuring other tax sources to be replaced. In this respect, 10 years have passed since the discussion over integration of these two tax items has started.
In principle, the purpose of such discussion is to settle the problems caused by the co-existence of two tax items, making efforts to minimize the individual problems as well. Other tax sources to be replaced will be needed to minimize such individual problems followed by the transaction tax relief policy. Therefore, it is necessary to apply and connect the discussion over integration of both two tax items, to discussion over reduced transaction taxation and raised holding tax plans; abd introduction of income tax or local consumption tax system.
As the acquisition tax and registration tax(including the exceeding portion for handling charges) share the same nature and have the similar tax rule system and contents, it is reasonable to integrate these two tax items. However, it should be conducted on the assumption that the remaining tax item after integration should be defined clearly in its nature.
Given that the meaning of acquisition in the acquisition tax rule would be defined as "Acquisition act that is related to the acquirer's economic capacity", it will be possible to absorb the taxable objects under registration taxation(ex: mortgage establishment for real estate) as well, in order to integrate them. In the same time, if we connect the recently raised holding tax issue to the discussion over the introduction of local income tax or local consumption tax, it may be possible to minimize the individual problems in each tax item as well as to settle the basic problems caused by the co-existence of both two tax items.