Pharmaceutical companies behind some of Australia’s best-known brands avoided an estimated $215 million a year in tax in Australia over a three year period - almost four times the $63 million actually paid, according to this report.

The Australia Institute has released new analysis of a list, compiled by the Department of Finance and distributed to crossbench Senators, outlining large companies that may benefit from the further company tax cuts for big business. The list was released under Freedom of Information laws.

Australia Institute research has consistently shown there is no correlation between lower company tax rates, employment or economic growth. This analysis shows that foreign investors will be the unambiguous winners of the proposed company tax cut.

The ABN system was originally introduced in 2000 to provide a unique identifier for businesses to use when dealing with government, and to support the introduction and administration of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). However, the value and meaning of an ABN within the community has expanded over time, with the ABN now considered...

This report examines the broad trends within the Commonwealth tax system since 2001–02 and the risks they present. An awareness of these risks allows policy makers to work to ensure the sustainability of the tax system over the medium term.