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Should capital be taxed?

Author

Listed:
  • Chen, Yunmin
  • Chien, YiLi
  • Wen, Yi
  • Yang, C.C.

Abstract

We design an infinite-horizon heterogeneous-agents and incomplete-markets model to demonstrate analytically that in the absence of any redistributional effects of government policies, optimal capital tax is zero despite capital overaccumulation under precautionary savings and borrowing constraints. Our result indicates that in the long run public debt is a better tool than capital taxation to restore aggregate productive efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Yunmin & Chien, YiLi & Wen, Yi & Yang, C.C., 2021. "Should capital be taxed?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:200:y:2021:i:c:s0165176521000239
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2021.109746
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. YiLi Chien & Yi Wen, 2022. "Optimal Ramsey Taxation in Heterogeneous Agent Economies with Quasi-Linear Preferences," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 46, pages 124-160, October.
    7. Juan Carlos Conesa & Sagiri Kitao & Dirk Krueger, 2009. "Taxing Capital? Not a Bad Idea after All!," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 99(1), pages 25-48, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Krueger, Dirk & Ludwig, Alexander & Villalvazo, Sergio, 2021. "Optimal taxes on capital in the OLG model with uninsurable idiosyncratic income risk," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
    2. François Le Grand & Xavier Ragot, 2023. "Should we increase or decrease public debt? Optimal fiscal policy with heterogeneous agents," Working Papers halshs-03922359, HAL.
    3. YiLi Chien & Yi Wen, 2022. "Optimal Ramsey Taxation in Heterogeneous Agent Economies with Quasi-Linear Preferences," Review of Economic Dynamics, Elsevier for the Society for Economic Dynamics, vol. 46, pages 124-160, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Optimal capital taxation; Government bonds; Heterogeneous agents; Incomplete markets; Modified golden rule; Ramsey problem; Wealth distribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C61 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - Optimization Techniques; Programming Models; Dynamic Analysis
    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General

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