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Nonlinear tax-induced migration: an overlooked tale

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  • Yizhou Zhang

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

  • Geoffrey J. D. Hewings

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

Abstract

The empirical literature on tax-induced migration (TIM) primarily focused on estimating the average elasticity of migration to interregional tax differentials but ignores the potential effect of the variations around this average. This paper extends the work of Moretti and Wilson (Am Econ Rev 107:1858–1903, 2017) and finds salient nonlinearity in the TIM of star scientists between 1977 and 2010. The results suggest that differences in personal income tax and research and development (R & D) tax credits between two states generate nonlinear impacts on migration; there is evidence of an important inertia range in which the differences generate little impact on migration. In contrast, the corporate income tax has approximately linear effects and investment tax credit has consistent effects only when the destination state initially has higher credits than the origin state. As different taxes or tax credits have distinctive nonlinear effects on migration, decision makers are cautioned of using average elasticities of TIM in policy making.

Suggested Citation

  • Yizhou Zhang & Geoffrey J. D. Hewings, 2019. "Nonlinear tax-induced migration: an overlooked tale," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 62(3), pages 425-438, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:anresc:v:62:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s00168-019-00902-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s00168-019-00902-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development

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