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Fiscal Decentralization and Incentives of Local Authorities in the Russian Federation

Author

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  • Vladislav V. Bukharsky

    (Financial Research Institute, Moscow 126006, Russian Federation; HSE University, Moscow 101000, Russian Federation; Masaryk University, Brno 60200, Czech Republic)

Abstract

This article examines the impact of intraregional fiscal decentralization on fiscal incentives for local governments in the Russian Federation. It is expected that decentralization contributes to the economic development of territories through two channels: 1) a higher level of budgetary (tax) decentralization gives more opportunities to local authorities to realize the economic potential of the territory; 2) stable decentralization of revenue sources preserves incentives for local authorities to realize such opportunities. In comparison with the widespread approach to measuring these incentives in terms of gross regional product, the author uses indicators of entrepreneurship, the development of which is mostly within the competence of local authorities. As a measure and stability of decentralization, the norms for deducting revenues to local budgets are used. No clear and conclusive evidence of the impact of decentralization is found: due to the low financial security of subnational budgets overall, the transfer of standards can rather be understood as financial assistance to the lower budget, in particular because the size of the average transferred standard grows with the level of subsidies in the region. At the same time, there are certain positive results: the very fact of the transfer of the revenues levied in connection with the application of the simplified taxation system is accompanied by an increase in entrepreneurial activity in the region. A similar effect is exerted by the stability of the revenues on personal income tax and corporate property tax. In general, it can also be pointed out that local authorities have low indicators of the level and stability (rigidity) of budget decentralization.

Suggested Citation

  • Vladislav V. Bukharsky, 2021. "Fiscal Decentralization and Incentives of Local Authorities in the Russian Federation," Finansovyj žhurnal — Financial Journal, Financial Research Institute, Moscow 125375, Russia, issue 2, pages 114-129, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:fru:finjrn:210208:p:114-129
    DOI: 10.31107/2075-1990-2021-2-114-129
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fiscal decentralization; hard budget constraints; soft budget constraints; fiscal incentives; local governments; entrepreneurship;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H61 - Public Economics - - National Budget, Deficit, and Debt - - - Budget; Budget Systems
    • H70 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - General
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue

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