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Value-Added Taxation: A Tax Whose Time Has Come?

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  • Gilbert E. Metcalf

Abstract

Value-added taxes (VATs) are used in a large number of developed countries and have been under consideration at the national level in the United States in recent years. This paper provides an introduction to the tax for those unfamiliar with it. The author begins by describing how VATs work and briefly surveys their use by other countries. The remainder of the paper considers the economic impact as well as design issues that are likely to arise if the United States were to implement a VAT.

Suggested Citation

  • Gilbert E. Metcalf, 1995. "Value-Added Taxation: A Tax Whose Time Has Come?," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 9(1), pages 121-140, Winter.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:9:y:1995:i:1:p:121-40
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.9.1.121
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    File URL: http://www.aeaweb.org/articles.php?doi=10.1257/jep.9.1.121
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    Cited by:

    1. Tomáš Buus & Jaroslav Brada, 2010. "VAT and Tax Credits: A Way to Eliminate Tax-Evasive Use of Transfer Prices?," European Financial and Accounting Journal, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2010(1), pages 28-50.
    2. Angela Mans, 1996. "Steuerpolitik in der Europäischen Union zwischen Wettbewerb und Harmonisierung," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 65(3), pages 331-353.
    3. Bibek Adhikari, 2015. "When Does Introducing a Value-Added Tax Increase Economic Efficiency? Evidence from the Synthetic Control Method," Working Papers 1524, Tulane University, Department of Economics, revised Nov 2015.
    4. James Alm & Asmaa El-Ganainy, 2013. "Value-added taxation and consumption," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 20(1), pages 105-128, February.
    5. Hayley Pallan, 2022. "Do Investors Care About Consumption Taxes? Evidence from Equities in Advanced and Emerging Economies," IHEID Working Papers 14-2022, Economics Section, The Graduate Institute of International Studies.
    6. Liu, Qing & Lu, Yi, 2015. "Firm investment and exporting: Evidence from China's value-added tax reform," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(2), pages 392-403.
    7. Robinson, Sherman & Thierfelder, Karen, 2017. "Taxes, Prices, and the Exchange Rate in the Destination-Based Cash-Flow Tax (DBCFT) System," Conference papers 332910, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    8. Chun-Yan Kuo & Hatice Jenkins & Glenn Jenkins, 2006. "Is The Value Added Tax Naturally Progressive?," Working Paper 1059, Economics Department, Queen's University.
    9. Daniel Raimi & Emily Grubert & Jake Higdon & Gilbert Metcalf & Sophie Pesek & Devyani Singh, 2023. "The Fiscal Implications of the US Transition Away from Fossil Fuels," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 17(2), pages 295-315.
    10. Sixia Chen & Yuan Fang & Shengfeng Lu & Haotian Zhang, 2024. "Tackle spurious invoices challenges to VAT compliance: a quasi-experiment of input VAT deduction reform in China," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 31(5), pages 1342-1387, October.
    11. Antonio Gómez Gómez-Plana & Pedro Pascual Arzoz, 2011. "Fraude fiscal e IVA en España: incidencia en un modelo de equilibrio general," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 199(4), pages 9-52, December.
    12. James R. Hines Jr., 2007. "Taxing Consumption and Other Sins," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 21(1), pages 49-68, Winter.
    13. James R. Hines Jr. & Lawrence H. Summers, 2009. "How Globalization Affects Tax Design," NBER Chapters, in: Tax Policy and the Economy, Volume 23, pages 123-157, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    14. Gilbert E. Metcalf, 2014. "Using the Tax System to Address Competition Issues With a Carbon Tax," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 67(4), pages 779-806, December.
    15. Tomáš Buus, 2012. "Daně z příjmů versus daň z přidaní hodnoty v malé otevřené ekonomice [Taxes on income vs. value added tax in small open economy]," Politická ekonomie, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2012(1), pages 58-80.
    16. Sumru Altug & Erhan Uluceviz, 2011. "Leading Indicators of Real Activity and Inflation for Turkey, 2001-2010," Koç University-TUSIAD Economic Research Forum Working Papers 1134, Koc University-TUSIAD Economic Research Forum.
    17. Mare, Mauro, 2015. "Why and How should the EU budget be reformed?," MPRA Paper 76112, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Christian R. Jaramillo H. & Jorge Tovar, 2007. "Incidencia Del Impuesto Al Valor Agregado Sobre Los Precios En Colombia," Documentos CEDE 2830, Universidad de los Andes, Facultad de Economía, CEDE.
    19. Gilbert E. Metcalf, 1996. "Labor Supply and Welfare Effects of a Shift from Income to Consumption Taxation," NBER Chapters, in: Empirical Foundations of Household Taxation, pages 77-97, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies

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