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What Explains Tax Evasion? An Empirical Assessment based on European Data

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Author Info
Edward Christie () (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw)
Mario Holzner () (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw)

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Abstract

This study computes estimates of tax compliance in selected European countries for value added tax, excise tax, personal income tax and social security contributions, using national accounts data together with data on official tax structures and revenues. These estimates are then analysed to explain the differences in compliance rates across European countries and across time. In accordance with the classical models of Allingham-Sandmo and their successors, we find that tax evasion is positively correlated with the tax rate itself. However, we also find support for Bloomquist’s hypothesis that higher income inequality leads to higher tax evasion. We also find that the quality of the judicial system plays a role in explaining VAT evasion, confirming general hypotheses on the main drivers of the shadow economy. Finally, we find that our chosen measure of tax complexity is positively correlated with tax compliance for personal income tax, leading us to doubt the soundness of ‘flat tax’ reforms in transition countries, at least with respect to their impact on compliance.

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File URL: http://publications.wiiw.ac.at/modPubl/download.php?publ=WP40
File Format: application/pdf
File Function: First version, 2006
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw in its series Working Papers with number 40.

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Length: 53 pages
Date of creation: Jun 2006
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Publication status: Published as wiiw Working Paper, June 2006
Handle: RePEc:wii:wpaper:40

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Related research
Keywords: taxation; tax compliance; tax evasion; income inequality; tax complexity; flat tax; transition economies;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
C80 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - General
H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion
H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General

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. Schneider, Friedrich & Klinglmair, Robert, 2004. "Shadow Economies around the World: What Do We Know?," IZA Discussion Papers 1043, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  2. Sanja Madzarevic-Sujster, 2002. "An Estimate of Tax Evasion in Croatia," Occasional paper series 13, Institute of Public Finance. [Downloadable!]
  3. Anna Ivanova & Michael Keen & Alexander Klemm, 2005. "The Russian 'flat tax' reform," Economic Policy, CEPR, CES, MSH, vol. 20(43), pages 397-444, 07. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  4. Chang Woon Nam & Andrea Gebauer & Ruediger Parsche, 2003. "Is the Completion of EU Single Market Hindered by VAT Evasion?," CESifo Working Paper Series CESifo Working Paper No. , CESifo Group Munich. [Downloadable!]
  5. Friedrich Schneider, 2004. "Shadow Economies around the World: What do we really know?," IAW Discussion Papers 16, Institut für Angewandte Wirtschaftsforschung (IAW). [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  6. James Andreoni & Brian Erard & Jonathan Feinstein, 1998. "Tax Compliance," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 36(2), pages 818-860, June. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  7. Friedrich Schneider & Dominik Enste, 2000. "Shadow Economies Around the World - Size, Causes, and Consequences," IMF Working Papers 00/26, International Monetary Fund.
    Other versions:
  8. Allingham, Michael G. & Sandmo, Agnar, 1972. "Income tax evasion: a theoretical analysis," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 1(3-4), pages 323-338, November. [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. Maria Lacko, 2007. "Interrelationships of the hidden economy and some visible segments of the labour market," IEHAS Discussion Papers 0707, Institute of Economics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences. [Downloadable!]
  2. Cécile Bazart & Michael Pickhardt, 2009. "Fighting Income Tax Evasion with Positive Rewards: Experimental Evidence," Working Papers 09-01, LAMETA, Universtiy of Montpellier, revised Jun 2009. [Downloadable!]
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