Tax revenue was up by €136.5 million last year compared with 2010, with almost half the increase coming from indirect taxes such as VAT and excise duties.

Official statistics released yesterday indicated that Maltese workers had a tax burden of 33.7 per cent.

Although slightly higher than 2010’s 33 per cent burden, the figure is still among the EU’s lowest.

VAT income rose by €42.8 million to €519 million, while taxes on products brought in an additional €363 million.

The latter figure represented a €24.7 million increase from 2010.

Income tax revenue rose by €28.9 million to just above €419 million, with corporate income tax revenue also increasing by €12 million.

Social security contributions paid by Malta’s working population also increased by €30-odd million to reach €400 million in 2011.

The figures show how indirect taxes such as VAT, excise duties and production levies are marginally more onerous on Maltese pockets than direct ones such as income tax.

While direct taxes make up 13.3 per cent of the average person’s tax expenses, indirect levies constitute 14.3 per cent of Malta’s 33.7 per cent burden.

The remaining 6.2 per cent was social security contributions.