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Optimal Taxation in Theory and Practice

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  • N. Gregory Mankiw
  • Matthew Weinzierl
  • Danny Yagan

Abstract

The optimal design of a tax system is a topic that has long fascinated economic theorists and flummoxed economic policymakers. This paper explores the interplay between tax theory and tax policy. It identifies key lessons policymakers might take from the academic literature on how taxes ought to be designed, and it discusses the extent to which these lessons are reflected in actual tax policy.

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File URL: http://www.aeaweb.org/articles.php?doi=10.1257/jep.23.4.147
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File URL: http://www.aeaweb.org/jep/app/2304_Mankiw_Weinzeirl_Yagain_sim_files.zip
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File URL: http://www.aeaweb.org/jep/app/2304_Mankiw_Weinzierl_Yagan_appendix.pdf
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Bibliographic Info

Article provided by American Economic Association in its journal Journal of Economic Perspectives.

Volume (Year): 23 (2009)
Issue (Month): 4 (Fall)
Pages: 147-74

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Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:23:y:2009:i:4:p:147-74

Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.23.4.147
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References

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  1. Feldstein, Martin, 1995. "Effect of Marginal Tax Rates on Taxable Income: A Panel Study of the 1986 Tax Reform Act," Scholarly Articles 2766676, Harvard University Department of Economics.
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