2010 saw the publication of the Coalition’s ‘Making Tax Policy: A New Approach’ document which will change the basis under which tax policy is made and slow down the rollercoaster of change that has been passing through the tax system. However, tax policy is defined as much by what does not happen as by what does. It was, therefore, notable that we did not see the Irish retrenchment from the 12½% rate nor the removal of the UK’s 50% rate of income tax, both of which provide insight into the future direction of tax policy.