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The Tax†rate Elasticity of Local Business Profits

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  • Frank M. Fossen
  • Viktor Steiner

Abstract

Local business profits respond to local business tax (LBT) rates that vary across municipalities. We estimate that a 1% increase in the LBT rate decreases the LBT base by 0.45%, based on the universe of German LBT return files, which include corporations and unincorporated businesses. However, the fiscal equalization scheme largely compensates municipalities for the loss in the LBT base when they increase the LBT rate. Our estimates suggest that using tax revenue data instead of tax return data, as commonly done in the literature, results in a significant bias of the elasticity away from zero.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank M. Fossen & Viktor Steiner, 2018. "The Tax†rate Elasticity of Local Business Profits," German Economic Review, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 19(2), pages 162-189, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:germec:v:19:y:2018:i:2:p:162-189
    DOI: 10.1111/geer.12123
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    2. Langer, Sebastian & Korzhenevych, Artem, 2018. "The effect of industrial and commercial land consumption on municipal tax revenue: Evidence from Bavaria," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 279-287.

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