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Optimal Taxation: Merging Micro and Macro Approaches

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  • MIKHAIL GOLOSOV
  • MAXIM TROSHKIN
  • ALEH TSYVINSKI

Abstract

This paper argues that the large body of research that follows Mirrlees approach to optimal taxation has been developing in two directions, referred to as the micro and macro literatures. We review the two literatures and argue that both deliver important insights that are often complementary to each other. We argue that merging the micro and macro approaches can prove beneficial to our understanding of the nature of efficient redistribution and social insurance and can deliver implementable policy recommendations.
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  • Mikhail Golosov & Maxim Troshkin & Aleh Tsyvinski, 2011. "Optimal Taxation: Merging Micro and Macro Approaches," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 43, pages 147-174, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:mcb:jmoncb:v:43:y:2011:i::p:147-174
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    2. Guo, Jang-Ting & Krause, Alan, 2015. "Dynamic income taxation without commitment: Comparing alternative tax systems," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 319-326.
    3. Golosov, Mikhail & Troshkin, Maxim & Tsyvinski, Aleh & Weinzierl, Matthew, 2013. "Preference heterogeneity and optimal capital income taxation," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 160-175.
    4. José Alves, 2021. "The Sinful Side of Taxation: Is it Possible to Satisfy the Government Hunger for Revenues While Promoting Economic Growth?," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 237(2), pages 85-109, June.
    5. Michaillat, Pascal & Saez, Emmanuel, 2015. "The optimal use of government purchases for macroeconomic stabilization," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 87160, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    6. Enders Almira & Stähler Nikolai & Groll Dominik, 2020. "Parity funding of health care contributions in Germany: A DSGE perspective," German Economic Review, De Gruyter, vol. 21(2), pages 217-233, June.
    7. Charles Brendon, 2011. "Applying perturbation analysis to dynamic optimal tax problems," Economics Series Working Papers 581, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
    8. Bagchi, Shantanu, 2019. "Differential mortality and the progressivity of social security," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 1-1.
    9. Faíña, Andrés & López-Rodríguez, Jesús & Varela-Candamio, Laura, 2013. "Reinterpreting the Frisch parameter in the field of personal taxation: A link between taxable capacity and social marginal utility in Optimal Taxation," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 118(1), pages 81-83.

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