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Optimal taxation under regional inequality

Author

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  • Zoubek, Malte
  • Kessing, Sebastian G.
  • Lipatov, Vilen

Abstract

Regional productivity differences provide scope for productivity-enhancing labor mobility. Redistribution reduces relocation incentives through higher taxes or lower transfers. Combining an intensive labor supply margin with an extensive, productivity-enhancing migration margin, we determine how regional inequality and labor mobility affect optimal redistribution. Simulations using the productivity differences between rural and urban regions in the US indicate that optimal marginal tax rates are reduced by several percentage points if productivity enhancing migration is taken into account. Additionally, we study optimal regionally differentiated taxation.
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  • Zoubek, Malte & Kessing, Sebastian G. & Lipatov, Vilen, 2014. "Optimal taxation under regional inequality," VfS Annual Conference 2014 (Hamburg): Evidence-based Economic Policy 100484, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:vfsc14:100484
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    Cited by:

    1. Mark Huggett & Wenlan Luo, 2023. "Optimal Income Taxation: An Urban Economics Perspective," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 51, pages 847-866, December.
    2. Mark Huggett & Wenlan Luo, 2023. "Optimal Income Taxation: An Urban Economics Perspective," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 51, pages 847-866, December.
    3. J. Malte Zoubek, 2018. "Spatial Productivity Differences and the Optimal Tax Treatment of Commuting Expenses," Volkswirtschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 187-18, Universität Siegen, Fakultät Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Wirtschaftsinformatik und Wirtschaftsrecht.
    4. Kessing, Sebastian G. & Lipatov, Vilen & Zoubek, J. Malte, 2020. "Optimal taxation under regional inequality," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    5. Aronsson, Thomas & Bastani, Spencer & Tayibov, Khayyam, 2021. "Social Exclusion and Optimal Redistribution," Umeå Economic Studies 1004, Umeå University, Department of Economics.
    6. Eren Gürer, 2021. "Equity-efficiency implications of a European tax and transfer system," Social Choice and Welfare, Springer;The Society for Social Choice and Welfare, vol. 57(2), pages 301-346, August.
    7. Eren Gürer & Alfons J. Weichenrieder, 2021. "Pro-rich Inflation and Optimal Income Taxation," Public Finance Review, , vol. 49(6), pages 815-844, November.
    8. OBARA, Takuya, 2016. "The optimal differentiated income taxation for groups categorized based on benefits from public goods," CCES Discussion Paper Series 64, Center for Research on Contemporary Economic Systems, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University.
    9. Andrey A. Pugachev, 2023. "Assessment of the Impact of Social Tax Deductions for Personal Income Tax on the Welfare and Inequality of Citizens in Russia," Journal of Applied Economic Research, Graduate School of Economics and Management, Ural Federal University, vol. 22(4), pages 789-813.
    10. OBARA, Takuya, 2016. "Differential Income Taxation and Tiebout Sorting," CCES Discussion Paper Series 64_v2, Center for Research on Contemporary Economic Systems, Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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