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Personal Income Tax Decentralization, Inequality, and Social Welfare

Author

Listed:
  • Julio López-Laborda

    (University of Zaragoza)

  • Jorge Onrubia

    (Complutense University of Madrid)

Abstract

This article elaborates and evaluates a model for the decentralization of a personal income tax that is consistent with the optimal redistribution model. In this study’s model, the regions have individualistic, symmetrical, additively separable, and inequality-averse social welfare functions. Each region applies to its constituents a progressive personal income tax, which measures individuals’ ability to pay with sole regard to their income. The central government has a social welfare function, and its tax-raising power is limited to the establishment of a surcharge (or deduction) proportional to the income of individuals net of the respective regional taxes. This article presents the conditions that permit this model of fiscal decentralization to be recommended as a result of the reduction of inequality and the increase in welfare in each region and in the country as a whole. The theoretical results are applied to the Spanish income tax by the performance of various microsimulation exercises.

Suggested Citation

  • Julio López-Laborda & Jorge Onrubia, 2005. "Personal Income Tax Decentralization, Inequality, and Social Welfare," Public Finance Review, , vol. 33(2), pages 213-235, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:33:y:2005:i:2:p:213-235
    DOI: 10.1177/1091142104272710
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    1. Elena S. Vylkova, 2021. "Personal income tax: Reforms in Russia and their impact on the income inequality," Journal of New Economy, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 22(2), pages 5-22, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    personal income tax; decentralization; inequality; social welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C32 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes; State Space Models
    • F31 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Exchange
    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions

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