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Tax-benefit systems, income distribution and work incentives in the European Union

Author

Listed:
  • H. Xavier Jara

    (Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex and University of Leuven)

  • Alberto Tumino

    (Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex)

Abstract

In this paper we study the impact of tax-benefit systems on income inequality and work incentives across the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU). Using EUROMOD, the EU-wide tax-benefit microsimulation model, we disentangle the role of taxes, benefits and social insurance contributions in influencing country specific Gini coefficients and Marginal Effective Tax Rates. The extent to which tax-benefit systems contribute to income redistribution and provide work incentives at the intensive margin is found to vary considerably across the 27 Member States of the EU. Our results further highlight the presence of a trade-off between income redistribution and work incentives across EU-27 countries.

Suggested Citation

  • H. Xavier Jara & Alberto Tumino, 2013. "Tax-benefit systems, income distribution and work incentives in the European Union," International Journal of Microsimulation, International Microsimulation Association, vol. 1(6), pages 27-62.
    • Handle: RePEc:ijm:journl:v:1:y:2013:i:issnum:6:p:27-62
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leventi, Chrysa & Figari, Francesco & Paulus, Alari & Avram, Silvia & Matsaganis, Manos & Navicke, Jekaterina & Rastrigina, Olga & Sutherland, Holly & Militaru, Eva & Levy, Horacio, 2013. "The distributional effects of fiscal consolidation in nine EU countries," EUROMOD Working Papers EM2/13, EUROMOD at the Institute for Social and Economic Research.
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    3. H. Xavier Jara & Alberto Tumino, 2013. "Tax-benefit systems, income distribution and work incentives in the European Union," International Journal of Microsimulation, International Microsimulation Association, vol. 1(6), pages 27-62.
    4. Stuart Adam & James Browne, 2010. "Redistribution, work incentives and thirty years of UK tax and benefit reform," IFS Working Papers W10/24, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality; work incentives; tax-benefit systems; microsimulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C15 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Statistical Simulation Methods: General
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household

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