UK '14th most attractive' tax environment

News Article - 20 November 2007
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The UK has come out 14th and Ireland 18th on a scale rating the personal tax environment of 32 nations.

Mercer's Worldwide Individual Tax Comparator Report rated the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Russia as having the most attractive environment whereas Belgium, Denmark and Hungary were found to have the least tax advantages.

Excluding Russia, European countries were generally found at the bottom end of the scale and Asian countries dominated the top.

"Local taxation is one of several factors that multinationals take account of when deploying staff across the globe," said Brian Waite, a senior consultant specialising in international issues.

The report also claims married workers reap more benefits compared to single employees and that being married with two children is the optimum status to receive tax benefits. Niklaus Kobel, researcher at Mercer's Geneva office, claimed "marital status is still a major factor in determining local tax rates."

According to the World Economic Forum, the UK has the ninth most competitive economy in the world at present.

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