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Tax Administration versus Tax Rates: Evidence from Corporate Taxation in Indonesia

Author

Listed:
  • M. Chatib Basri
  • Mayara Felix
  • Rema Hanna
  • Benjamin A. Olken

Abstract

We compare two approaches to increasing tax revenue: tax administration and tax rates. We show that when Indonesia moved top regional firms into "medium taxpayer offices," with high staff-to-taxpayer ratios, tax revenue more than doubled. Examining nonlinear changes to corporate income tax rates, we estimate an elasticity of taxable income of 0.579. Combining these estimates, improved tax administration is equivalent to raising top rates on all firms by 8 percentage points. On net, improved tax administration can have significant returns for developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Chatib Basri & Mayara Felix & Rema Hanna & Benjamin A. Olken, 2021. "Tax Administration versus Tax Rates: Evidence from Corporate Taxation in Indonesia," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 111(12), pages 3827-3871, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:111:y:2021:i:12:p:3827-71
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20201237
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • K34 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Tax Law
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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