| Abstract [eng] |
Excise duty is a one-off indirect tax levied on specific goods produced for consumption. Having as an aim the creation of effective single market of the European Community with free movement of goods and market relations undistorted by the differences in the taxation systems between the member states, it is necessary to harmonize the excise duty in the Community. This has been achieved by regulating general rules of the use of the excise tax and by setting structure and rates of certain taxable objects. One of the reasons that promote the illegal market is related to great differences in the rates of certain taxable objects in member states. On the other hand, smuggling does not come to an end having approximated tax rates if economic conditions still are not of equal base. Due to its legal commitments under the burden of the European Union, Lithuania has implemented Community law given the permission to reach the minimum excise rates in transition periods. The regulation of the excise duty in the European Union is the indirect way to implement other objectives too: by setting the system of exemptions from excise taxation regarding bio-alternatives, the European Union seeks to limit the use of natural resources and to preserve the environment from substances causing climate change and pollution. |
