Rita de la Feria
@delaferiar.bsky.social
Professor of Tax Law, University of Leeds| Advisory Panel, UK OBR | Tax Law, Policy and Enforcement | New book: "Taxation and Inequalities" (2025)
Delighted to share that from Oct 1st I'll be Visiting Professor of Law at Oxford University! I first joined Oxford in 2007. I'm immensely honoured that the @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social has now formally granted me the Visiting Prof title. As @judithfreedman.bsky.social says no-one ever leaves Oxford.
September 8, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Delighted to share that from Oct 1st I'll be Visiting Professor of Law at Oxford University! I first joined Oxford in 2007. I'm immensely honoured that the @oxfordlawfac.bsky.social has now formally granted me the Visiting Prof title. As @judithfreedman.bsky.social says no-one ever leaves Oxford.
VAT is the most efficient, neutral, pro-growth, tax. Yes, it can also be regressive, but in many countries - and all developed ones - there are known ways of overcoming this. So why do so many countries apply exemptions? Not for equity reasons; but for political economy ones.
September 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
VAT is the most efficient, neutral, pro-growth, tax. Yes, it can also be regressive, but in many countries - and all developed ones - there are known ways of overcoming this. So why do so many countries apply exemptions? Not for equity reasons; but for political economy ones.
Some big (research) news: my book on Taxation and Inequalities is out! Sometimes life comes at you fast. The book went on sale the day of my father's funeral, and I wasn't present at its formal launch in Bergen. Nevertheless, it's out there now, in all its glory.
July 8, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Some big (research) news: my book on Taxation and Inequalities is out! Sometimes life comes at you fast. The book went on sale the day of my father's funeral, and I wasn't present at its formal launch in Bergen. Nevertheless, it's out there now, in all its glory.
It has been a hectic month: 1 presentation at the European Parliament, 2 to (different) Finance Ministers, 1 to a PM Cabinet, an UK OBR meeting, and several media interviews.
Now, it's time to go back on the academic road, starting with Brazil next week, 2 years after my last visit. Me aguardem!
Now, it's time to go back on the academic road, starting with Brazil next week, 2 years after my last visit. Me aguardem!
May 6, 2025 at 2:37 PM
It has been a hectic month: 1 presentation at the European Parliament, 2 to (different) Finance Ministers, 1 to a PM Cabinet, an UK OBR meeting, and several media interviews.
Now, it's time to go back on the academic road, starting with Brazil next week, 2 years after my last visit. Me aguardem!
Now, it's time to go back on the academic road, starting with Brazil next week, 2 years after my last visit. Me aguardem!
6 weeks after release. Turns out people do actually want to hear complex answers. Thanks to everyone for reading.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
May 4, 2025 at 11:55 AM
6 weeks after release. Turns out people do actually want to hear complex answers. Thanks to everyone for reading.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
My standard rule, according to which the political salience of taxes is inversely proportional to the health of a nation, is, unfortunately, holding up well.
April 8, 2025 at 10:47 AM
My standard rule, according to which the political salience of taxes is inversely proportional to the health of a nation, is, unfortunately, holding up well.
Being a tax lawyer in the 90s, the Hollywood version.
March 29, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Being a tax lawyer in the 90s, the Hollywood version.
Big news! Block your agendas: delighted to announce that I will be in Brazil in May, for a massive tax tour, at the invitation of the incomparable
@rodrigomaiarj.bsky.social. Focus will be primarily on results of the Taxation of Inequalities project, with a small incursion into excise taxes.
@rodrigomaiarj.bsky.social. Focus will be primarily on results of the Taxation of Inequalities project, with a small incursion into excise taxes.
March 21, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Big news! Block your agendas: delighted to announce that I will be in Brazil in May, for a massive tax tour, at the invitation of the incomparable
@rodrigomaiarj.bsky.social. Focus will be primarily on results of the Taxation of Inequalities project, with a small incursion into excise taxes.
@rodrigomaiarj.bsky.social. Focus will be primarily on results of the Taxation of Inequalities project, with a small incursion into excise taxes.
The final draft of my (large) report on the Taxation and Inequalities project has now been posted, free to download, on SSRN. A new analytical framework, based on data from 33 countries, covering all areas of the tax system, from wealth to environmental taxes.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
March 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The final draft of my (large) report on the Taxation and Inequalities project has now been posted, free to download, on SSRN. A new analytical framework, based on data from 33 countries, covering all areas of the tax system, from wealth to environmental taxes.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
A minha entrevista ao @jnegocios.bsky.social sobre a nossa proposta para um IVA progressivo. Obrigada à Filomena Lança pelo interesse.
www.jornaldenegocios.pt/economia/imp...
www.jornaldenegocios.pt/economia/imp...
March 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
A minha entrevista ao @jnegocios.bsky.social sobre a nossa proposta para um IVA progressivo. Obrigada à Filomena Lança pelo interesse.
www.jornaldenegocios.pt/economia/imp...
www.jornaldenegocios.pt/economia/imp...
When your son is sick at home, and decides to watch the news.
March 7, 2025 at 8:52 AM
When your son is sick at home, and decides to watch the news.
Just before we all disappear for the weekend, an "all-in-one" on the Taxation and Inequalities project!
My general report is available here:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
My general report is available here:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
February 28, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Just before we all disappear for the weekend, an "all-in-one" on the Taxation and Inequalities project!
My general report is available here:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
My general report is available here:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Also on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/5yE7...
open.spotify.com/episode/5yE7...
February 23, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Also on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/episode/5yE7...
open.spotify.com/episode/5yE7...
Fancy a trip to Lisbon this summer? Who wouldn't, right? Well, if you are an Early Career Researcher in tax law, this is your chance to visit Lisbon, my beautiful home city. Details 👇 Call for papers still open, but will close soon. We look forward to welcoming you in Lisbon!
February 12, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Fancy a trip to Lisbon this summer? Who wouldn't, right? Well, if you are an Early Career Researcher in tax law, this is your chance to visit Lisbon, my beautiful home city. Details 👇 Call for papers still open, but will close soon. We look forward to welcoming you in Lisbon!
The full results can also be downloaded here:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
February 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The full results can also be downloaded here:
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
We have a cover! I'll be tomorrow at the LSE (irl and online), to present the results of the "Taxation and Inequalities" project. The first event of a pre-launch book tour. Details on how to join here:
lselaw.events/event/lse-ta...
lselaw.events/event/lse-ta...
February 4, 2025 at 2:22 PM
We have a cover! I'll be tomorrow at the LSE (irl and online), to present the results of the "Taxation and Inequalities" project. The first event of a pre-launch book tour. Details on how to join here:
lselaw.events/event/lse-ta...
lselaw.events/event/lse-ta...
Finally, big news: my paper, with the results of the Taxation and Inequalities project, is out!! Drawing upon extensive new law data, from 33 countries, and informed by a wide range of disciplines, it provides a new policy roadmap for addressing inequalities through tax systems.
January 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Finally, big news: my paper, with the results of the Taxation and Inequalities project, is out!! Drawing upon extensive new law data, from 33 countries, and informed by a wide range of disciplines, it provides a new policy roadmap for addressing inequalities through tax systems.
I promised research news - and hopefully I will have something big within the next week. But in the meantime, I have just posted online a policy brief to the G20, written with A Redonda at the height of the pandemic, on tax expenditures and inequality. Free download 👇
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
January 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I promised research news - and hopefully I will have something big within the next week. But in the meantime, I have just posted online a policy brief to the G20, written with A Redonda at the height of the pandemic, on tax expenditures and inequality. Free download 👇
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
New Year, new me! OK, slight hyperbole. But it will be a different year, as I will be on research leave. That means no running commentary on tax policy issues. But, hopefully, lots of research news.
Until then, I will, as they say "shut up and write". Happy New Year, tax nerds.
Until then, I will, as they say "shut up and write". Happy New Year, tax nerds.
January 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
New Year, new me! OK, slight hyperbole. But it will be a different year, as I will be on research leave. That means no running commentary on tax policy issues. But, hopefully, lots of research news.
Until then, I will, as they say "shut up and write". Happy New Year, tax nerds.
Until then, I will, as they say "shut up and write". Happy New Year, tax nerds.
A timely reminder that we are all related. From "A Theory of Everyone", by @michael.muthukrishna.com
January 5, 2025 at 8:19 PM
A timely reminder that we are all related. From "A Theory of Everyone", by @michael.muthukrishna.com
Sin é, 2024! (Irish for that's it) It was a difficult year, but also one full of amazing experiences, in 11 countries, in all corners of the world. Starting in Manila, ending in Lisbon. Hard to believe all this for a nerdy kid who hated gym classes. See you in 2025, tax nerds ♥️
December 31, 2024 at 11:01 AM
Sin é, 2024! (Irish for that's it) It was a difficult year, but also one full of amazing experiences, in 11 countries, in all corners of the world. Starting in Manila, ending in Lisbon. Hard to believe all this for a nerdy kid who hated gym classes. See you in 2025, tax nerds ♥️
That's it from me for a while. I leave you with my top 10 (non-work) books, from a selection of 42 this year, for those looking for Christmas inspiration.
Fiction:
1. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not), Jose Rizal (Philippines)
2. James, Percival Everett (US)
3. 2666, Roberto Bolano (Chile)
Fiction:
1. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not), Jose Rizal (Philippines)
2. James, Percival Everett (US)
3. 2666, Roberto Bolano (Chile)
December 15, 2024 at 9:31 AM
That's it from me for a while. I leave you with my top 10 (non-work) books, from a selection of 42 this year, for those looking for Christmas inspiration.
Fiction:
1. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not), Jose Rizal (Philippines)
2. James, Percival Everett (US)
3. 2666, Roberto Bolano (Chile)
Fiction:
1. Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not), Jose Rizal (Philippines)
2. James, Percival Everett (US)
3. 2666, Roberto Bolano (Chile)
Why we need a wholesale VAT reform. The general public may be unaware of the difference it would make to the life of every single person living in these islands. But we, tax policy people, are not. There is too much at stake to give up.
December 13, 2024 at 4:41 PM
Why we need a wholesale VAT reform. The general public may be unaware of the difference it would make to the life of every single person living in these islands. But we, tax policy people, are not. There is too much at stake to give up.
That's a wrap! Yesterday was my last teaching of this year @lawatleeds.bsky.social. What a privilege it is, every year, to teach students from all over the world. This year from Bolivia, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia - and UK obvs. They are ready now to fight the good (tax) fight.
December 10, 2024 at 8:40 AM
That's a wrap! Yesterday was my last teaching of this year @lawatleeds.bsky.social. What a privilege it is, every year, to teach students from all over the world. This year from Bolivia, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia - and UK obvs. They are ready now to fight the good (tax) fight.
This is unbelievably beautiful. On humankind miraculous insignificance. Maybe it won't hit everyone like it hit me, but rarely have I been so affected by a book by p 5.
December 1, 2024 at 9:24 AM
This is unbelievably beautiful. On humankind miraculous insignificance. Maybe it won't hit everyone like it hit me, but rarely have I been so affected by a book by p 5.