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Redistributive Effect of U.S. Taxes and Public Transfers, 1994-2004

Author

Listed:
  • Kinam Kim

    (Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, Republic of Korea)

  • Peter J. Lambert

    (University of Oregon)

Abstract

In this study, the authors derive measures of the redistributive effect of taxes and welfare expenditures for the United States using Current Population Survey data for the years 1994, 1999, and 2004. The authors find that while income inequality increased, the redistributive effect of taxes and public transfers together reduced market income inequality by approximately 30 percent. In 2004, 88 percent of the net redistributive effect resulted from public transfers and 12 percent from taxes. The total redistributive effect would have improved by 35 percent in 2004 if horizontal inequities in taxes and public transfers could have been eliminated.

Suggested Citation

  • Kinam Kim & Peter J. Lambert, 2009. "Redistributive Effect of U.S. Taxes and Public Transfers, 1994-2004," Public Finance Review, , vol. 37(1), pages 3-26, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:37:y:2009:i:1:p:3-26
    DOI: 10.1177/1091142108324423
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Branko Milanovic & Sean Higgins & Nora Lustig & Whitney Ruble & Timothy M. Smeeding, 2016. "Comparing the Incidence of Taxes and Social Spending in Brazil and the United States," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 62, pages 22-46, August.
    3. Peter Lambert & Thor Thoresen & Runa Nesbakken, 2010. "On the Meaning and Measurement of Redistribution in Cross-Country Comparisons," LIS Working papers 532, LIS Cross-National Data Center in Luxembourg.
    4. Abu-Zaineh, Mohammad & Mataria, Awad & Luchini, Stéphane & Moatti, Jean-Paul, 2009. "Equity in health care finance in Palestine: The triple effects revealed," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(6), pages 1071-1080, December.

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