Martin A. Sullivan (Tax Analysts), U.K. Road to Competitiveness Is Paved With Tax Increases, 135 Tax Notes 390 (Apr. 23, 2012):

It has been the stated policy of the United Kingdom's Conservative-led coalition government "to create the most competitive corporate tax regime in the G20." Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne reiterated this policy — expanded to include all noncorporate business — in his 2012 budget speech delivered on March 21.

The flagship provisions of the policy are a large reduction in the corporate tax rate, exemption of most foreign profits from tax, and the introduction of a patent box. But these high-profile tax cuts have been accompanied by offsetting tax increases on business and — by far the most significant tax change since the new government came to power — an increase in the VAT rate. How the Conservatives have implemented tax reform has important lessons for U.S. policymakers who are considering the same path.

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