They are also relevant in the context of planning fiscal consolidation strategies. For instance, the historical income trends do signal a significant shift in the relative “tax capacity” from lower to higher-earning groups in the aftermath of steep downturns. It may therefore be necessary to critically review whether existing tax provisions should be adapted in light of equity considerations and current revenue requirements, in particular where those with high or very high incomes have benefited from declining overall tax burdens in the past {e.g., because of non-compliance, because tax expenditures mainly benefit high-income groups, or because of declining property and wealth taxes).