Irish taxpayers carry least burden: OECD

[SPDAY]

Irish citizens pay proportionately less income tax and social
insurance than those in almost any other country in the developed
world, according to a study published today by the OECD

The study into tax and wage rates in the 30 most developed
countries finds that the tax burden - income tax and social
insurance contributions less cash transfers - on the average Irish
wage amounted to 23.8 per cent in 2004

Only Mexico with 15.4pc, South Korea with 16.6pc and New Zealand
with 20.7pc paid lower direct taxes

The survey prepared by the Paris-based think tank also shows that
the tax burden in Ireland has fallen steadily since 1996 when the
burden was calculated at 36.1pc of the average wage

The report does not include corporate tax rates stamp duties or
consumption taxes which have become more favoured revenue sources
in recent years