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To tax or not to tax? When does it matter for informality?

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  • Mitra, Shalini

Abstract

Theoretical models generally always predict or assume that higher taxes lead to larger informal sectors. Empirically, however, there is considerable debate on the effect of taxes on informality. In this paper I show that whether a positive, negative or non-relation arises between tax rates and informality depends on the degree of tax enforcement and the level of credit market development in an economy. Higher enforcement implies a higher probability of detection and punishment while more credit implies better formal sector access to finance. Both are incentives to become formal. In a two-sector dynamic general equilibrium model with borrowing constraints, I show that informality rises with the tax rate up to a threshold level of tax enforcement beyond which it falls as tax increases. This enforcement threshold depends negatively on the level of credit in the economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Mitra, Shalini, 2017. "To tax or not to tax? When does it matter for informality?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 117-127.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:64:y:2017:i:c:p:117-127
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2017.02.024
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    Cited by:

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    2. Mpofu Favourate Y Sebele, 2021. "Informal Sector Taxation and Enforcement in African Countries: How plausible and achievable are the motives behind? A Critical Literature Review," Open Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 4(1), pages 72-97, January.
    3. Luc Jacolin & Joseph Keneck Massil & Alphonse Noah, 2021. "Informal sector and mobile financial services in emerging and developing countries: Does financial innovation matter?," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(9), pages 2703-2737, September.
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    5. Joseph Keneck-Massil & Alphonse Noah, 2019. "Shadow economy and educational systems in Africa," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 39(2), pages 1467-1478.
    6. Fitore Morina & Bedri Peci, 2017. "Harmonization of Corporate Income Tax (CIT) in the EU - Achievements and Challenges," Acta Universitatis Danubius. OEconomica, Danubius University of Galati, issue 13(6), pages 323-333, DECEMBER.
    7. Gareth Liu-Evans & Shalini Mitra, 2023. "Formal sector enforcement and welfare," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 30(3), pages 706-728, June.
    8. Luc Jacolin & Massil Keneck & Alphonse Noah, 2019. "Informal Sector and Mobile Financial Services in Developing Countries: Does Financial Innovation Matter?," Working papers 721, Banque de France.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Taxation; Informality; Financial frictions; Tax enforcement; Financial development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E26 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Informal Economy; Underground Economy
    • E60 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - General
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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