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The possibility of a British earned income tax credit

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Walker

    (Institute for Fiscal Studies and University of Nottingham)

  • Michael Wiseman

Abstract

The possibility of an earned income tax credit, based on the US model, is currently high up the British political agenda. This paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of the current British system of in-work benefits, before reviewing the effectiveness of the US Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) scheme. The British and US systems are then directly compared in terms of the net income delivered and the effective tax rate (net benefit deduction rate). Although the evidence in favour of a US-style EITC is weak, two possible variants are considered. The paper concludes that the only future for an EITC is probably as a partial scheme, linked to the amalgamation of in-work and out-of-work benefits, which removes wage subsidisation from the sphere of social security by means of a semi-individualised tax credit. Even so, the same goals could be achieved through the benefit system.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Walker & Michael Wiseman, 1997. "The possibility of a British earned income tax credit," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 18(4), pages 401-425, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:ifs:fistud:v:18:y:1997:i:4:p:401-425
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    File URL: http://www.ifs.org.uk/fs/articles/fswalwis.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nada Eissa & Jeffrey B. Liebman, 1996. "Labor Supply Response to the Earned Income Tax Credit," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 111(2), pages 605-637.
    2. Scholz, John Karl, 1996. "In-Work Benefits in the United States: The Earned Income Tax Credit," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 106(434), pages 156-169, January.
    3. Whitehouse, Edward, 1996. "Designing and Implementing In-Work Benefits," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 106(434), pages 130-141, January.
    4. Duncan, Alan & Giles, Christopher, 1996. "Labour Supply Incentives and Recent Family Credit Reforms," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 106(434), pages 142-155, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Keen, 1997. "Peculiar institutions: A British perspective on tax policy in the United States," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 18(4), pages 371-400, November.
    2. van Oers, H. & de Mooij, R.A. & Graafland, J.J. & Boone, J., 2000. "An earned income tax credit in the Netherlands : Simulations with the mimic model," Other publications TiSEM 09697d20-0f5c-4bc2-a625-6, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    3. Richard Blundell & Hilary W. Hoynes, 2004. "Has 'In-Work' Benefit Reform Helped the Labor Market?," NBER Chapters, in: Seeking a Premier Economy: The Economic Effects of British Economic Reforms, 1980–2000, pages 411-460, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Mike Brewer & Tom Clark & Matthew Wakefield, 2002. "Five years of social security reforms in the UK," IFS Working Papers W02/12, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    5. Waltraud Schelkle, 2000. "Subsidizing Low Earnings: German Debates and U.S. Experiences," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 69(1), pages 5-16.
    6. Mike Brewer, 2000. "Comparing in-work benefits and financial work incentives for low-income families in the US and the UK," IFS Working Papers W00/16, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    7. Gern, Klaus-Jürgen, 1999. "Auswirkungen verschiedener Varianten einer negativen Einkommensteuer in Deutschland: eine Simulationsstudie," Open Access Publications from Kiel Institute for the World Economy 1055, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    8. Wolfgang Ochel, 2002. "Welfare to Work in the US: A Model for Germany?," FinanzArchiv: Public Finance Analysis, Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen, vol. 59(1), pages 91-119, February.
    9. R. Walker & M. Wiseman, "undated". "Britain's New Deal and the Next Round of U.S. Welfare Reform," Institute for Research on Poverty Discussion Papers 1223-01, University of Wisconsin Institute for Research on Poverty.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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