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Führt Steuervereinfachung zu einer „gerechteren” Einkommensverteilung? Eine empirische Analyse für Deutschland

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  • Clemens Fuest
  • Andreas Peichl
  • Thilo Schaefer

Abstract

The simplification of the tax system is a key objective of many income tax reform proposals. This paper investigates the distributional impact of tax simplification. Our empirical analysis is based on a microsimulation model for the German tax and transfer system (FiFoSiM). We model tax simplification as the abolition of a set of controversial deductions from the tax base. We combine these simplifications with a tax rate schedule adjustment to preserve revenue neutrality. The combination with a flat tax rate increases the inequality of after‐tax incomes whereas the combination with a directly progressive rate schedule adjustment reduces inequality.

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  • Clemens Fuest & Andreas Peichl & Thilo Schaefer, 2007. "Führt Steuervereinfachung zu einer „gerechteren” Einkommensverteilung? Eine empirische Analyse für Deutschland," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 8(1), pages 20-37, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:perwir:v:8:y:2007:i:1:p:20-37
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2516.2007.00228.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Merz, Joachim, 1994. "Microsimulation - A Survey of Methods and Applications for Analyzing Economic and Social Policy," MPRA Paper 7232, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Stefan Bach, 2005. "Grundlegende Reform der Einkommensbesteuerung: inwieweit kann die Bemessungsgrundlage verbreitert und das Steuerrecht vereinfacht werden?," DIW Wochenbericht, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 72(36), pages 523-527.
    3. Esteban, Joan & Ray, Debraj, 1994. "On the Measurement of Polarization," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 62(4), pages 819-851, July.
    4. Gerhard Wagenhals, 2001. "Incentive and Redistribution Effects of the "Karlsruher Entwurf zur Reform des Einkommenssteuergesetzes"," Diskussionspapiere aus dem Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Hohenheim 194/2001, Department of Economics, University of Hohenheim, Germany.
    5. Wolfson, Michael C, 1994. "When Inequalities Diverge," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 84(2), pages 353-358, May.
    6. Peichl, Andreas, 2005. "Die Evaluation von Steuerreformen durch Simulationsmodelle," FiFo Discussion Papers - Finanzwissenschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 05-1, University of Cologne, FiFo Institute for Public Economics.
    7. Gerhard Wagenhals, 2004. "Tax-benefit microsimulation models for Germany: A Survey," Diskussionspapiere aus dem Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre der Universität Hohenheim 235/2004, Department of Economics, University of Hohenheim, Germany.
    8. repec:mhr:btrfin:urn:isbn:9783161474583 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Stefan Bach & Peter Haan & Hans-Joachim Rudolph & Viktor Steiner, 2004. "Reformkonzepte zur Einkommens- und Ertragsbesteuerung: erhebliche Aufkommens- und Verteilungswirkungen, aber relativ geringe Effekte auf das Arbeitsangebot," DIW Wochenbericht, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 71(16), pages 185-204.
    10. Hans‐Georg Petersen & Antje Fischer & Juliane Flach, 2005. "Wirkungen der Einfachsteuer auf die Steuerbelastung von Haushalten und Unternehmen," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 6(1), pages 71-94, February.
    11. Peichl, Andreas & Fuest, Clemens & Schaefer, Thilo, 2005. "Dokumentation FiFoSiM: Integriertes Steuer-Transfer-Mikrosimulations- und CGE-Modell," FiFo Discussion Papers - Finanzwissenschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 05-3, University of Cologne, FiFo Institute for Public Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. Max Löffler & Andreas Peichl & Nico Pestel & Hilmar Schneider & Sebastian Siegloch, 2011. "Einfach ist nicht immer gerecht : eine Mikrosimulationsstudie der Kirchhof-Reform für die Einkommensteuer," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 80(4), pages 147-160.
    2. Bergs Christian & Fuest Clemens & Peichl Andreas & Schaefer Thilo, 2007. "Reformoptionen der Familienbesteuerung: Aufkommens-, Verteilungs- und Arbeitsangebotseffekte," Review of Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 58(1), pages 1-27, April.
    3. Struch Georg, 2012. "Eine verteilungspolitische Beurteilung aktueller Reformkonzepte zur deutschen Einkommensbesteuerung / A Distributional Analysis of Recent Reform Proposals on the German Income Tax Rate," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 232(5), pages 567-588, October.
    4. Schaefer, Thilo & Peichl, Andreas, 2006. "Documentation FiFoSiM: integrated tax benefit microsimulation and CGE model," FiFo Discussion Papers - Finanzwissenschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 06-10, University of Cologne, FiFo Institute for Public Economics.
    5. Max Löffler & Andreas Peichl & Nico Pestel & Hilmar Schneider & Sebastian Siegloch, 2012. "Effizient, einfach und gerecht: Ein integriertes System zur Reform von Einkommensteuer und Sozialabgaben," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 13(3), pages 196-213, August.
    6. Peichl, Andreas & Fuest, Clemens & Schaefer, Thilo, 2006. "Does tax simplification yield more equity and efficiency? An empirical analysis for Germany," FiFo Discussion Papers - Finanzwissenschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 06-5, University of Cologne, FiFo Institute for Public Economics.
    7. Jung, Anna & Thöne, Michael & Elschner, Christina & Ernst, Christof & Overesch, Michael & Bergs, Christian & Schaefer, Thilo, 2009. "Evaluierung von Steuervergünstigungen. Band 3: Evaluierungsberichte (zweiter Teilband). Endfassung (Herbst 2009). Forschungsauftrag Projektnummer 15/07 des Bundesministeriums der Finanzen," ZEW Expertises, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research, number 110522.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies

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