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Commodity Tax Structure And Informal Activity

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  • Sophia Delipalla

Abstract

Commodity tax structure affects the firm's choice between formality and informality. An increase in the specific tax rate, relative to an equivalent increase in ad valorem taxation, makes informality attractive to more firms. Formality becomes attractive at lower levels of profits under ad valorem taxation. For both the maximization of welfare subject to a revenue constraint and the unconstrained maximization of revenue, the optimal rate of specific taxation is zero.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophia Delipalla, 2009. "Commodity Tax Structure And Informal Activity," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(3), pages 283-294, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:buecrs:v:61:y:2009:i:3:p:283-294
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8586.2009.00306.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Ceyhun Elgin & Mario-Solis Garcia, 2012. "Public Trust, Taxes and the Informal Sector," Bogazici Journal, Review of Social, Economic and Administrative Studies, Bogazici University, Department of Economics, vol. 26(1), pages 27-44.

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