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The Redistributive Effects of the Pit Decentralization: Evidence from the Italian Case

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Teresa Monteduro

    (Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance)

  • Alberto Zanardi

    (University of Bologna and Econpubblica, Bocconi University)

Abstract

In recent years Regions and Municipalities in Italy have been assigned the power to apply local surtaxes on the personal income tax levied at national level. The aim of this paper is twofold. First, from a positive perspective, we measure the redistributive effects produced by the adoption of these local surtaxes. By using a sample of tax returns representative on a regional basis, we find that the redistributive effects are slightly enhanced by the introduction of local surtaxes as a result of an increase in tax incidence, given that the introduction of local surtaxes is not offset by a corresponding reduction of national taxation, and a relatively smaller reduction in tax progressivity. Vertical redistribution and horizontal inequity are also distinctly considered. It turns out that at both national and regional level local surtaxes slightly increase these two components, roughly in the same proportion, whereas variations are relatively differentiated at the regional level. Secondly, from a normative perspective, we design a possible welfare-improving tax reform in which the simplification of the personal income tax is combined with its partial decentralization. When the redistributive impact of this reform is assessed, the new tax structure welfare-dominates the current centralized tax both at the national level and within any single Region.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Teresa Monteduro & Alberto Zanardi, 2005. "The Redistributive Effects of the Pit Decentralization: Evidence from the Italian Case," Giornale degli Economisti, GDE (Giornale degli Economisti e Annali di Economia), Bocconi University, vol. 64(2-3), pages 215-246, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gde:journl:gde_v64_n2-3_p215-246
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Manzo, Marco & Monteduro, Maria Teresa, 2010. "From IRAP to CBIT: tax distortions and redistributive effects," MPRA Paper 28070, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    JEL classification:

    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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