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A behavioral model of evolutionary dynamics and optimal regulation of tax evasion

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  • Giovanni, Domenico De
  • Lamantia, Fabio
  • Pezzino, Mario

Abstract

The paper studies the dynamics of compliance in a population of agents that decide whether to engage in tax evasion depending on an evolutionary adaptation process, when payoffs are assumed to have the realistic features of Prospect Theory utilities. The paper also considers the optimal control problem of a tax authority that targets the maximization of the expected stream of tax revenues choosing auditing effort. The analysis produces novel and rich results, including conditions for the convergence to an asymptotically stable interior equilibrium, the existence of multiple equilibria and discontinuities in the optimal control.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni, Domenico De & Lamantia, Fabio & Pezzino, Mario, 2019. "A behavioral model of evolutionary dynamics and optimal regulation of tax evasion," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 79-89.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:streco:v:50:y:2019:i:c:p:79-89
    DOI: 10.1016/j.strueco.2019.05.004
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    2. Raffaella Coppier & Francesca Grassetti & Elisabetta Michetti, 2021. "Non-compliant behaviour in public procurement: an evolutionary model with endogenous monitoring," Decisions in Economics and Finance, Springer;Associazione per la Matematica, vol. 44(1), pages 459-483, June.
    3. Fabio Lamantia & Mario Pezzino, 2021. "Social norms and evolutionary tax compliance," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 89(4), pages 385-405, July.
    4. Bischi, Gian Italo & Matsumoto, Akio & Carrera, Edgar J. Sanchez, 2020. "Foreword to the SCED special issue on “Nonlinear Social Dynamics”," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 236-237.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Tax evasion; Prospect theory; Optimal control; Auditing; Evolutionary dynamics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance

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