This file is part of IDEAS, which uses RePEc data


[ Papers | Articles | Software | Books | Chapters | Authors | Institutions | JEL Classification | NEP reports | Search | New papers by email | Author registration | Rankings | Volunteers | FAQ | Blog | Help! ]

Estimating the Underground Economy using MIMIC Models

Author info | Abstract | Publisher info | Download info | Related research | Statistics
Author Info
Trevor Breusch

Additional information is available for the following registered author(s):

Abstract

MIMIC models are being used to estimate the size of the underground economy or the tax gap in various countries. In this paper I examine critically both the method in general and three applications of the method by Giles and Tedds (2002), Bajada and Schneider (2005) and Dell’Anno and Schneider (2003). Connections are shown to familiar econometric models of linear regression and simultaneous equations. I also investigate the auxiliary procedures used in this literature, including differencing as a treatment for unit roots and the calibration of results using other data. The three applications demonstrate how the method is subjective and pliable in practice. I conclude that the MIMIC method is unfit for the purpose.

Download Info
To download:

If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the proper application to view it first. Information about this may be contained in the File-Format links below. In case of further problems read the IDEAS help page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS site. Please be patient as the files may be large.

File URL: http://129.3.20.41/eps/em/papers/0507/0507003.pdf
File Format: application/pdf
File Function:
Download Restriction: no

Publisher Info
Paper provided by EconWPA in its series Econometrics with number 0507003.

Download reference. The following formats are available: HTML (with abstract), plain text (with abstract), BibTeX, RIS (EndNote, RefMan, ProCite), ReDIF
Length: 36 pages
Date of creation: 12 Jul 2005
Date of revision: 25 Jul 2005
Handle: RePEc:wpa:wuwpem:0507003

Note: Type of Document - pdf; pages: 36
Contact details of provider:
Web page: http://129.3.20.41

For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its listing, contact: (EconWPA).

Related research
Keywords: underground economy; MIMIC; structural modelling; LISREL® software;

Find related papers by JEL classification:
C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions
C51 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Model Construction and Estimation
H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion

This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

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. Trevor Breusch, 2005. "Australia's Cash Economy: Are the estimates credible?," Macroeconomics 0509025, EconWPA, revised 23 Sep 2005. [Downloadable!]
  2. Schneider, Friedrich & Enste, Dominik, 1999. "Shadow Economies Around the World - Size, Causes, and Consequences," CESifo Working Paper Series CESifo Working Paper No. , CESifo Group Munich. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
Full references

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. Friedrich Schneider, 2006. "Shadow Economies and Corruption All Over the World: What Do We Really Know?," IZA Discussion Papers 2315, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  2. Brambila Macias, Jose, 2008. "Modeling the Informal Economy in Mexico. A Structural Equation Approach," MPRA Paper 8504, University Library of Munich, Germany. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
Statistics
Access and download statistics

Did you know? You can create a compilation of all publications of a group of people, say alumni of a program, your students or memers of an association.

This page was last updated on 2009-12-16.


This information is provided to you by IDEAS at the Department of Economics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Connecticut using RePEc data on a server sponsored by the Society for Economic Dynamics.