The short-term turnover estimates in Bosnia and Herzegovina based on the VAT data

Abstract

Abstract National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) strive to produce short-term business statistics (STS) indicators with the high quality estimates in a timely manner. NSIs are usually faced with the challenges, such as differences in definitions, incompleteness of administrative data, periodicity and timeliness, coverage issues, etc. Administrative Value Added Tax (VAT) turnover data can be used to partially or completely replace survey data for the estimation of short-term business turnover indicators. In this paper, main characteristics of administrative VAT turnover data in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be examined through cleaning of VAT turnover data and matching them with survey data. Hence, the main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between VAT turnover data and survey data in in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Monthly Retail Trade Turnover Indices (RTI) for in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be estimated by using administrative VAT turnover data. Spearman’s correlation coefficients are used to examine the presence of a linear relationship between VAT turnover data and survey data. Results gained by using survey and administrative VAT turnover data will be compared. Based on the results of the analysis, future challenges and perspectives for expansion of using administrative VAT turnover data will be identified.