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An Axiomatic Proof of Mirrlees' Formula

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  • Homburg, Stefan

Abstract

Mirrlees' optimal income tax formula has never been proven rigorously, and it is hard to understand it in economic terms. We prove an analogous formula for an economy with finitely many persons. This is easy and allows a simple economic interpretation. Thereafter, Mirrlees' original formula is derived by means of a limit theorem. The analysis also clarifies the discussion between Revesz and Saez published as "Communications" below in this issue of PF/FP. It shows which formula is correct and how the methodological problems, in particular the circularity problem, can be dealt with.

Suggested Citation

  • Homburg, Stefan, 1998. "An Axiomatic Proof of Mirrlees' Formula," Public Finance = Finances publiques, , vol. 53(3-4), pages 285-295.
    • Handle: RePEc:pfi:pubfin:v:53:y:1998:i:3-4:p:285-95
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jesus Seade, 1982. "On the Sign of the Optimum Marginal Income Tax," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 49(4), pages 637-643.
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    Cited by:

    1. Schock, Matthias Malte, 2019. "Steuerreformvorschläge des Mirrlees Committee und der Stiftung Marktwirtschaft [Tax Reform Proposals of the Mirrlees Committee and the Stiftung Marktwirtschaft]," MPRA Paper 96689, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Lohse, Tim & Lutz, Peter F. & Thomann, Christian, 2011. "Investments in the Human Capital of the Socially Disadvantaged Children - Effects on Redistribution," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-484, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    3. Homburg Stefan & Lohse Tim, 2005. "Optimal Taxes and Transfers under Partial Information," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 225(6), pages 622-629, December.
    4. Homburg, Stefan, 2010. "Allgemeine Steuerlehre: Kapitel 1. Grundbegriffe der Steuerlehre," EconStor Books, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, number 92547, July.
    5. Lohse Tim, 2014. "The Objections against Workfare Revised," Review of Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 65(1), pages 95-118, April.
    6. Revesz, John T, 1998. "Some Comments on the Reply by Saez and the Article by Homburg [Comparing Elasticities-Based Optimal Income Tax Formulas] [An Axiomatic Proof of Mirrlees' Formula]," Public Finance = Finances publiques, , vol. 53(3-4), pages 486-488.
    7. Tim Lohse & Peter Lutz & Christian Thomann, 2013. "Redistributional consequences of early childhood intervention," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 14(3), pages 373-381, June.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis

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