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The Effects of Preferential Vat Rates Near International Borders: Evidence From Mexico

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  • Davis, Lucas W.

Abstract

Most goods and services in Mexico are subject to a 16 percent value added tax (VAT). However, within 20 kilometers of the border with the United States, the VAT rate is 11 percent. This preferential rate was implemented by the Mexican Department of Revenue to reduce cross-border shopping in the United States. However, the tax differential also creates an unusual distortion within Mexico, encouraging Mexicans to travel to the preferential tax zone for shopping. This paper performs an empirical test of tax avoidance using the Mexican Economic Census, comparing towns on either side of the 20 kilometer threshold using a regression discontinuity design. The analysis provides evidence of a modest but statistically significant distortion in economic activity toward the preferential tax zone.

Suggested Citation

  • Davis, Lucas W., 2011. "The Effects of Preferential Vat Rates Near International Borders: Evidence From Mexico," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 64(1), pages 85-104, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:ntj:journl:v:64:y:2011:i:1:p:85-104
    DOI: 10.17310/ntj.2011.1.04
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    7. Ferris, J. Stephen, 2000. "The Determinants of Cross Border Shopping: Implications for Tax Revenues and Institutional Change," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association, vol. 53(n. 4), pages 801-24, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. David Agrawal, 2012. "Games within borders: are geographically differentiated taxes optimal?," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 19(4), pages 574-597, August.
    2. Pouya Ebrahimi & François Vaillancourt, 2015. "La taxation de la consommation et les ventes au détail : Recension des écrits et analyse empirique," CIRANO Project Reports 2015rp-09, CIRANO.
    3. Sergio Lagunas Puls & Alejandra Almeida Baeza, 2019. "Significance analysis to the Value-Added Tax increments for the border region of Quintana Roo from 2003 to 2015," EconoQuantum, Revista de Economia y Finanzas, Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Economico Administrativas, Departamento de Metodos Cuantitativos y Maestria en Economia., vol. 16(2), pages 43-64, Julio-Dic.
    4. Mallick Hossain, 2022. "A world without borders revisited: Impact of online sales tax collection on shopping and search," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 48-63, February.
    5. Campos-Vazquez Raymundo M. & Delgado Victor & Rodas Alexis, 2020. "The effects of a place-based tax cut and minimum wage increase on labor market outcomes," IZA Journal of Labor Policy, Sciendo & Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 10(1), pages 1-24, March.
    6. Richard M. Bird, 2013. "Below the Salt: Decentralizing Value-Added Taxes," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper1302, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.

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