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Optimal labour taxation and search

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  • Boone, Jan
  • Bovenberg, Lans

Abstract

This paper explores the optimal role of the tax system in alleviating labour-market imperfections, raising revenue, and correcting the income distribution. For this purpose, the standard search model of the labour market is extended by introducing non-linear vacancy costs due to scarce entrepreneurial talent and by allowing for arbitrage between being a worker and being an entrepreneur. We study how these extensions affect the following three major implications of the standard model: (1) only the ad valorem component of the wage tax should be employed to raise revenue; (2) the optimal tax system should not distort labour-market tightness; (3) the tax system cannot redistribute from workers to entrepreneurs.
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Suggested Citation

  • Boone, Jan & Bovenberg, Lans, 2002. "Optimal labour taxation and search," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(1), pages 53-97, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:85:y:2002:i:1:p:53-97
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • H22 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Incidence
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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