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Effects of Flat Tax Reforms in Western Europe on Income Distribution and Work Incentives

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Author Info
Paulus, Alari () (ISER, University of Essex)
Peichl, Andreas () (IZA)

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Abstract

The flat income tax has become increasingly popular recently, yet its implementation is limited to Eastern Europe. We analyse the distributional and efficiency effects of flat tax scenarios for Western European countries. Our simulations show that flat tax rates required to attain revenue neutrality with existing basic allowances improve labour supply incentives. However, they result in higher inequality and polarisation. Flat rates necessary to keep the inequality levels unchanged allow for some scope for flat taxes to increase both equity and efficiency. Our analysis suggests that Mediterranean countries are more likely to benefit from flat taxes.

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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA) in its series IZA Discussion Papers with number 3721.

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Length: 37 pages
Date of creation: Sep 2008
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Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp3721

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Related research
Keywords: flat tax reform; income distribution; work incentives; microsimulation;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
C81 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Microeconomic Data
D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies

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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
  1. Immervoll H & Kleven H & Kreiner C & Saez E, 2004. "Welfare Reform In European Countries: A Micro Simulation Analysis," EUROMOD Working Papers EM1/04, EUROMOD at the Institute for Social and Economic Research. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  2. Yuriy Gorodnichenko & Jorge Martinez-Vazquez & Klara Sabirianova Peter, 2007. "Myth and Reality of Flat Tax Reform: Micro Estimates of Tax Evasion Response and Welfare Effects in Russia," IZA Discussion Papers 3267, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  3. Lelkes, Orsolya & Benedek, Dora, 2007. "Assessment of income distribution and a hypothetical flat tax reform in Hungary," MPRA Paper 7304, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  4. Peichl, Andreas & Schaefer, Thilo & Scheicher, Christoph, 2006. "Measuring Richness and Poverty," FiFo-CPE Discussion Papers - Finanzwissenschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 06-11, University of Cologne, CPE - Cologne Center for Public Economics. [Downloadable!]
  5. Marta González-Torrabadella & Josep Pijoan-Mas, 2006. "Flat tax reforms: a general equilibrium evaluation for Spain," Investigaciones Economicas, Fundación SEPI, vol. 30(2), pages 317-351, May. [Downloadable!]
  6. Kahneman, Daniel & Tversky, Amos, 1979. "Prospect Theory: An Analysis of Decision under Risk," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 47(2), pages 263-91, March. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  7. Kevin Kim & Ricardo Varsano & Michael Keen, 2006. "The "Flat Tax(es)": Principles and Evidence," IMF Working Papers 06/218, International Monetary Fund. [Downloadable!]
  8. Steven P. Cassou & Kevin J. Lansing, 2004. "Growth Effects of Shifting from a Graduated-rate Tax System to a Flat Tax," Economic Inquiry, Oxford University Press, vol. 42(2), pages 194-213, April. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  9. Ugo Colombino & Steinar Strøm & Rolf Aaberge, 2000. "Labor supply responses and welfare effects from replacing current tax rules by a flat tax: Empirical evidence from Italy, Norway and Sweden," Journal of Population Economics, Springer, vol. 13(4), pages 595-621. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  10. Davies, James B. & Hoy, Michael, 2002. "Flat rate taxes and inequality measurement," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(1), pages 33-46, April. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  11. Suits, Daniel B, 1977. "Measurement of Tax Progressivity," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 67(4), pages 747-52, September. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  12. Foster, James & Greer, Joel & Thorbecke, Erik, 1984. "A Class of Decomposable Poverty Measures," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 52(3), pages 761-66, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Andreas Peichl, 2009. "The Benefits and Problems of Linking Micro and Macro Models: Evidence from a Flat Tax Analysis," SOEPpapers 182, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP). [Downloadable!]
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