Mine Taxation Flashcards
Represent a substantial cost of doing business in the minerals industry and often have a significant impact on corporate
investment decisions.
Taxes
A theory that is based on the concept that minerals are a free gift of nature for the benefit of all mankind, and therefore the benefits derived from resource extraction should be shared by all.
Natural Heritage
A theory that assumes that since an ore body cannot be dismantled or moved to another location, any mine can be taxed with impunity.
Captive
“any nonpenal yet compulsory transfer of resources from private to the public sector levied on the basis of predetermined criteria and without reference to specific benefits received so as to accomplish some of the government’s economic
and social objectives
Tax
Taxes are generally implemented to achieve one or more of the following objectives:
- Raising Revenue
- Economic Development
- Price Stability
- Wealth Redistribution
- Regulatory Medium
Taxes are generally imposed on one of the following bases:
- Income
- Wealth
- Expenditures
- Activity
Usually based on net income, or gross income less certain defined deductions. The tax rate is generally either fixed or progressive (i.e.,
higher levels of net income pay higher tax rates.)
Income taxes
Typically an ad valorem (according to value) tax based on appraised value of real and personal property
Property taxes
A tax unique to the extraction of natural resources
(renewable as well as nonrenewable) and commonly considered to be an
excise tax.
Severance taxes
A tax imposed upon the consumption of a retail sale.
Transaction tax
A tax imposed on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of
specific, selected commodities and/or activities
Excise tax
Adam Smith (1904) set forth four criteria which he referred to as
“cannons of taxations” for a “good tax”.
- Equitable
- Convenient
- Certain
- Economical
referring to equal treatment of similarly situated
taxpayers
Equitable
referring to a tax that can be readily and easily
assesses, collected, and administered.
Convenient
referring to consistency and stability in the prediction of
tax-payers’ bills and the amount of revenue collected over time.
Certain
referring to the fact that compliance and
administration of a tax should be minimal in terms of cost.
Economical
referring to the fact that a tax should have the ability
to produce a sufficient and desired amount of revenue to the taxing
authority
Adequacy
referring to the
use of taxes to reallocate resources in order to achieve various
specific social and economic objectives.
Achievement of Social and Economic effects
recognizing that a tax should not encourage
inefficient allocation of resources by being so extreme that
taxpayers make counterproductive economic decisions.
Neutrality
total income derived from product sales.
Revenue
an amount deducted from revenue to arrive at taxable
income
Deduction
The amount on which a tax is calculated.
Taxable income
a deduction over a period of years for cost of plant and equipment (real and personal property)
Depreciation
any deduction other than depreciation or depletion
allowed over a period of years.
Amortization