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The Internet as a Tax Haven?

Author

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  • David R. Agrawal

Abstract

If online transactions are tax free, increased online shopping may lower tax rates as jurisdictions seek to reduce tax avoidance; but, if online firms remit taxes, online sales may put upward pressure on tax rates because internet sales help enforce destination-based taxes. I find that higher internet penetration generally results in lower municipal tax rates but raises tax rates in some jurisdictions. The latter effect emerges in states where many online vendors remit taxes. A 1 standard deviation increase in internet penetration lowers local sales taxes in large municipalities by 0.15 percentage points, or 16 percent of the average rate.

Suggested Citation

  • David R. Agrawal, 2021. "The Internet as a Tax Haven?," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 13(4), pages 1-35, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1-35
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20170094
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    Cited by:

    1. Xuefeng Shao & Shi Chen, 2024. "Research on Tax Compliance Incentive Effects of Platform Companies from the Perspective of Incomplete Contract – An Empirical Study Based on China," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 26(65), pages 330-330, February.
    2. Hiroshi Aiura & Hikaru Ogawa, 2021. "Does E-Commerce Ease or Intensify Tax Competition? Destination Principle vs. Origin Principle," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-1169, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.
    3. David R. Agrawal & William F. Fox, 2017. "Taxes in an e-commerce generation," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 24(5), pages 903-926, September.
    4. Fang, Chao & Ma, Shuzhong, 2024. "Taxing the online haven: Impacts of the EU VAT reform on cross-border e-commerce," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 239(C).
    5. David R. Agrawal, 2015. "The Tax Gradient: Spatial Aspects of Fiscal Competition," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 7(2), pages 1-29, May.
    6. Chen, Shi, 2024. "The impact of tax compliance on platform enterprises’ competitive advantage and the role of contract enforcement efficiency," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    7. Wang, Lingxiao & Zheng, Yuqing, 2024. "Why are grocery foods taxed in the United States? Theory and spatial evidence from multilevel government interactions," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    8. Juan Carlos Lopez, 2022. "Who will gain from the South Dakota vs. Wayfair Inc. ruling?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 42(1), pages 90-98.
    9. Hans Jarle Kind & Guttorm Schjelderup, 2025. "Taxation and multi-sided platforms: a review," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 32(3), pages 895-915, June.
    10. Fox, William F. & Hargaden, Enda Patrick & Luna, LeAnn, 2022. "Statutory incidence and sales tax compliance: Evidence from Wayfair," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    11. Abbasi ,Mansoureh & Lebrand,Mathilde Sylvie Maria & Mongoue,Arcady Bluette & Pongou,Roland & Zhang,Fan, 2022. "Roads, Electricity, and Jobs: Evidence of Infrastructure Complementarity in Sub-Saharan Africa," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9976, The World Bank.
    12. Agrawal, David R. & Shybalkina, Iuliia, 2023. "Online shopping can redistribute local tax revenue from urban to rural America," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    13. Agrawal, David R., 2014. "LOST in America: Evidence on local sales taxes from national panel data," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 147-163.
    14. David R. Agrawal, 2023. "Hidden Havens: State and Local Governments as Tax Havens?," CESifo Working Paper Series 10573, CESifo.
    15. Ying Wang & Igor A. Mayburov, 2025. "Scenario-Based Forecasting of the Impact of Tax Incentives on Green R&D in China’s Wind Power Industry in a Complex Network Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-33, February.
    16. A Hartfield & C Liu & M H Sheikh, 2024. "What determines tax havens? A historical investigation of tax haven factors," Economic Issues Journal Articles, Economic Issues, vol. 29(2), pages 29-56, September.
    17. Hikaru Ogawa & Ryota Tsuchiya, 2024. "Granting Taxing Rights for a Pareto Improvement," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-1235, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.
    18. Hiroshi Aiura & Hikaru Ogawa, 2024. "Does e-commerce ease or intensify tax competition? Destination principle versus origin principle," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 31(3), pages 702-735, June.
    19. Jay Pil Choi & Jota Ishikawa & Hirofumi Okoshi, 2024. "Tax havens and cross-border licensing with transfer pricing regulation," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 31(2), pages 333-366, April.
    20. Chen, Shi & Liu, Zhongyi & Cai, Wanlin, 2025. "Digital transformation and tax compliance in Chinese industrial sector," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    21. David R. Agrawal & William F. Fox, 2021. "Taxing Goods and Services in a Digital Era," National Tax Journal, University of Chicago Press, vol. 74(1), pages 257-301.

    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
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce
    • R51 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Finance in Urban and Rural Economies

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