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Risk Perception and Risk Attitude on a Tax Evasion Context

Author

Listed:
  • Nuno Trindade Magessi

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Luis Antunes

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

Abstract

When considering tax reporting, taxpayers have an individual attitude towards the risk of being caught evading taxes by the tax authorities. This attitude is interdependent with how this inherent risk is perceived. We propose to analyse this phenomenon through a risk perspective by adding a risk attitude and corresponding perceived probability of being caught evading. In this paper, we study the dynamics of tax evasion under risk perception and attitude, and the consequent propensity of imitators to evade or to comply. Under this proposal, we conduct our experiments through a multi-agent based simulation. Simulation results suggest first that the risk attitude, in conjunction with perceived risk and its consequences are the main reasons to guarantee a low level of tax evasion. Secondly, results also demonstrate a non-linear impact of tax rate, investment interest rate and fines which is especially interesting and non-intuitive.

Suggested Citation

  • Nuno Trindade Magessi & Luis Antunes, 2015. "Risk Perception and Risk Attitude on a Tax Evasion Context," Central European Journal of Economic Modelling and Econometrics, Central European Journal of Economic Modelling and Econometrics, vol. 7(3), pages 127-149, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:psc:journl:v:7:y:2015:i:3:p:127-149
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    Cited by:

    1. Christoph Engel, 2016. "Experimental Criminal Law. A Survey of Contributions from Law, Economics and Criminology," Discussion Paper Series of the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods 2016_07, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    tax evasion; risk attitude; risk perception; multi-agent-based simulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General

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