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Globalization and tax policy

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  • Neumann, Rebecca
  • Holman, Jill
  • Alm, James

Abstract

Globalization is thought to reduce the ability of governments to collect taxes. If labor and capital can move between jurisdictions, then attempts to tax these factors will lead to a "vanishing taxpayer" as factors flee from high- to low-tax regions. More broadly, globalization suggests that there will be some convergence in tax rates across countries. This paper questions this view by examining the impact of globalization on taxation using a two-country, two-factor, two-good model. In particular, we ask how globalization, measured by increased international factor mobility, affects the ability of governments to tax factors. Our quantitative analysis indicates that, while increased mobility reduces revenues to some extent, governments still retain significant ability to collect taxes.

Suggested Citation

  • Neumann, Rebecca & Holman, Jill & Alm, James, 2009. "Globalization and tax policy," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 193-211, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:20:y:2009:i:2:p:193-211
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    3. Stevan Luković, 2015. "The Impact Of Globalization On The Characteristics Of Tax Systems Of The European Countries," Economic Annals, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Belgrade, vol. 60(206), pages 117-140, July - Se.
    4. James Alm & Mir Ahmad Khan, 2008. "Assessing Enterprise Taxation and the Investment Climate in Pakistan," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper0810, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
    5. Tosun Mehmet S & Skidmore Mark L, 2007. "Cross-Border Shopping and the Sales Tax: An Examination of Food Purchases in West Virginia," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 7(1), pages 1-20, December.
    6. Jolanta Galuszka, 2013. "The Fiscal Union As A Remedy For The Economic And Financial Crisis In The European Union," Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 8(1), pages 49-67, March.
    7. Mark Skidmore & Hideki Toya & David Merriman, 2004. "Convergence in Government Spending: Theory and Cross‐Country Evidence," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(4), pages 587-620, November.
    8. Kazim Okan Erol, 2020. "Taxation Systems in the EU: The Role of Economic Integration and Global Financial Crisis," CESifo Working Paper Series 8692, CESifo.

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