70 Years Value Added Tax

Abstract

In 2024 the value added tax becomes 70 years old. This “crown of fiscal technique” arose on the basis of the turnover tax, which in turn was a product of the ancient excise tax. Today value added tax is the backbone of the tax system in almost all countries of the world. This paper is dedicated to the prehistory of the tax, the pioneering experience of France (and the European Union) from the middle of the last century and the implementation of the value added tax in Bulgaria.