When it comes to the effective storage and management of data, it should be recognised that security, flexibility, and efficiency are key. Increasingly, governments, businesses, and organisations around the world are exploring cloud-based computing options as a complement – or alternative – to more traditional, on-premises hardware and software solutions. For tax administrators, the ongoing shift presents both opportunities and unique challenges.

In the April edition of Tax Stamp & Traceability News™ (TSTN) we looked at the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic vis-à-vis the tax stamp industry with a view to anticipating what the implications might be for the industry. This article provides an update of sorts, exploring the same themes in terms of additional data points that may help us to better understand how the industry may be impacted.

Excise taxes are levied on the sale and use of certain products and services. They are charged directly from businesses and then the costs are passed on to consumers to some extent, often in an obscure way. Like other taxes based on income and consumption, excise taxes are designed to generate substantial revenue for governments. What is unique about them, however, is that they strategically target specific ‘necessities’ deemed harmful to health and/or the environment.