Lushko Svitlana, Senior Lecturer, Department of Finance and Credit, Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, Mykolaiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0000-0003-4598-1319
e-mail: sveta.lushko@gmail.com

Chernenok Kateryna, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Finance and Credit, Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, Mykolaiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0000-0002-2233-308X
e-mail: k.chernenok@gmail.com

Yakymova Yana, Applicant for Higher Education, Faculty of Economic Sciences, Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, Mykolaiv, Ukraine

ORCID: 0009-0005-3688-5896
e-mail: yana.yakymova@gmail.com

Personal tax Management of Households: Optimization Tools and Experience of EU Countries

Abstract. Introduction. The relevance of this study is determined by the growing influence of taxation on the financial behaviour of households in conditions of economic instability and increasing fiscal pressure, as well as the gradual transformation of tax systems. Today, taxes affect not only disposable income, but also financial planning approaches, savings formation, consumption patterns, and employment decisions. In this context, effective personal tax management is crucial for making informed decisions about taxation within the existing legal framework.

Purpose. The article aims to explore the fundamentals of personal tax management, identify the primary tools employed for optimising household taxation, and analyse the practical experience of selected European Union countries in this area. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between tax obligations and household financial decisions, as well as the potential for adapting European approaches to Ukrainian conditions.

Results. The study shows that personal tax management involves more than just formally fulfilling tax obligations; it also involves making a conscious use of the mechanisms available to influence the level of tax burden. The main instruments include tax deductions, tax benefits, income declarations, employment form selection, and income source structuring. Applying these instruments in practice can legally reduce tax pressure and improve the efficiency of managing household financial resources.

However, the analysis shows that the use of such instruments in Ukraine remains limited. This is mainly due to insufficient financial literacy, the complexity of tax legislation, limited awareness of available tax opportunities and insufficient integration of digital tax services into everyday financial practice. Consequently, tax-related decisions are often made on a case-by-case basis rather than as part of long-term financial planning.

The experience of EU countries shows that the effectiveness of personal tax management depends not only on the existence of tax instruments, but also on the accessibility of information, the simplicity of procedures, the development of digital services and the level of trust in tax institutions. In many European countries, taxation is integrated into everyday financial planning, contributing to more rational financial behaviour and a higher level of financial stability among households.

Conclusions. The results of the study confirm that improving tax regulation alone is not enough to develop personal tax management in Ukraine. Greater transparency, simplified procedures, wider use of digital technologies and increased financial awareness among the population are also required.

Keywords: personal tax management; households; tax optimization; tax planning; tax benefits; financial literacy; digital tax services.

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