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Personal Income Tax Decentralization, Inequality and Social Welfare

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Abstract

This paper elaborates and evaluates a model for the decentralization of personal income tax which is consistent with the optimal redistribution model proposed by Tresch (2002), within a framework od social welfare à la Atkinson and Bourguignon (1987). Each region applies to its constituents a progressive tax, and the central government establishes a surcharge (or deduction) proportional to the income of individuals, net of the respective regional taxes. Our paper presents the conditions which permit this model to be recommended in terms of the reduction of income inequality and the increases of welfare, in each region and in the country as a whole. The theoretical results are applied to the Spanish IRPF, by the performance of various microsimulation exercises.

Suggested Citation

  • Julio López Laborda & Jorge Onrubia Fernández, 2004. "Personal Income Tax Decentralization, Inequality and Social Welfare," Economic Working Papers at Centro de Estudios Andaluces E2004/17, Centro de Estudios Andaluces.
    • Handle: RePEc:cea:doctra:e2004_17
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    1. Cremer, Helmuth & et al, 1996. "Mobility and Redistribution: A Survey," Public Finance = Finances publiques, , vol. 51(3), pages 325-352.
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    7. Cremer, Helmuth & Pestieau, Pierre, 2004. "Factor mobility and redistribution," Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, in: J. V. Henderson & J. F. Thisse (ed.), Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 57, pages 2529-2560, Elsevier.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elena S. Vylkova, 2021. "Personal income tax: Reforms in Russia and their impact on the income inequality," Journal of New Economy, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 22(2), pages 5-22, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    personal income tax; decentralization; inequality; social welfare.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions

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