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Ist Deutschland wirklich so progressiv? Einkommensumverteilung im europäischen Vergleich

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  • Andreas Peichl
  • Nico Pestel
  • Sebastian Siegloch

Abstract

The German tax system is usually considered as one of the most progressive ones in Europe, especially due to its unique mathematical formula of continuously increasing marginal tax rates in the personal income tax. However, other taxes such as indirect or payroll taxes need to be considered as well when assessing the progressivity of the overall system. This paper takes such a comprehensive approach and puts the overall progressivity of the German tax system and the resulting redistributive effects in a European context. Our results show that the progressivity of the German system is rather average compared to other EU countries. The high redistributive power of the personal income tax is compensated by regressive social insurance contributions and indirect taxes. Deutschland wird im europäischen Vergleich häufig ein überdurchschnittlich progressives Steuersystem attestiert. Die einzigartige, mehrstufige Progressionsformel der Einkommensteuer trägt ohne Zweifel zu dieser Sichtweise bei. Um ein umfassendes Bild der Progressivität eines Gesamtsystems zu bekommen, müssen jedoch andere Steuer- und Abgabenarten, wie indirekte Steuern und Sozialversicherungsabgaben, mit einbezogen werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die Gesamtprogressivität des deutschen Steuer-, Abgaben- und Transfersystems quantifiziert und im europäischen Kontext verglichen. Darüber hinaus werden die vom Steuersystem ausgehenden Umverteilungswirkungen analysiert. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Progressivität Deutschlands im europäischen Vergleich insgesamt eher im mittleren Bereich anzusiedeln ist. Selbst der Einkommensteuer kann nur eine mittlere Progressivität, dafür aber eine relativ hohe Umverteilungswirkung bescheinigt werden. Diese wird allerdings durch die stark regressiv wirkenden Sozialversicherungsbeiträge und die indirekten Steuern reduziert.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Peichl & Nico Pestel & Sebastian Siegloch, 2013. "Ist Deutschland wirklich so progressiv? Einkommensumverteilung im europäischen Vergleich," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 82(1), pages 111-127.
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwvjh:82-1-8
    DOI: 10.3790/vjh.82.1.111
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Progressivity; redistribution; tax-benefit systems; European comparison;
    All these keywords.

    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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