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Impact of income position information on perceived tax burden and preference for redistribution: An online survey

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  • Eiji Yamamura

Abstract

Many experimental studies have assessed the relationship between the provision of information on relative income and redistribution preferences. However, the influence of information on perceived tax burden, which is considered a subjective cost of redistribution, has not been examined. This study investigates how individuals' relative income positions influence their income redistribution preferences and individual perceptions of the income tax burden. This study was conducted using a customized online survey. First, I asked respondents about their perceived income position in their country, redistribution preference and perceived tax burden. In the follow‐up survey, I provided the treatment group with information on their true income positions based on the same questions as in the first survey. However, for the control group, I did not disclose their true income positions but asked them the same questions. The key findings suggest that, after learning their real income positions: (i) individuals who overestimated their income positions perceived their tax burden as higher, (ii) individuals' redistribution preferences had hardly changed and (iii) reciprocal individuals (who accounted for the largest proportion) perceived their tax burden as lower and were less likely to prefer redistribution. Les répercussions de l'information concernant la position salariale sur le fardeau fiscal perçu et les préférences en matière de redistribution : un sondage en ligne. De nombreuses études expérimentales ont évalué la relation entre la communication d'information sur le revenu relatif et les préférences en matière de redistribution. Toutefois, l'influence de l'information sur le fardeau fiscal perçu, qui est considéré comme étant un coût subjectif de la redistribution, n'a pas été étudiée. La présente étude se penche sur l'influence de la position concernant le revenu relatif des personnes sur leurs préférences en matière de redistribution du revenu et les perceptions individuelles sur le fardeau fiscal. L'étude a été menée au moyen d'un sondage en ligne personnalisé. Tout d'abord, j'ai posé des questions aux répondants sur leur position salariale perçue dans leur pays, leurs préférences en matière de redistribution et leur fardeau fiscal perçu. Dans le sondage de suivi, j'ai fourni au groupe expérimental de l'information sur leur position salariale réelle en leur posant les mêmes questions que celles du premier sondage. Je n'ai cependant pas communiqué aux répondants du groupe témoin cette information, mais leur ai posé les mêmes questions. Les principales constatations suggèrent que, après avoir pris connaissance de leur position salariale réelle, (i) les personnes qui surestimaient leur position salariale percevaient que leur fardeau fiscal était supérieur, (ii) les préférences en matière de redistribution des personnes ne changeaient guère et (iii) les personnes réciproques (qui représentaient la plus grande proportion) percevaient que leur fardeau fiscal était plus bas et étaient moins susceptibles de préférer la redistribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Eiji Yamamura, 2025. "Impact of income position information on perceived tax burden and preference for redistribution: An online survey," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 58(2), pages 609-641, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:58:y:2025:i:2:p:609-641
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.70001
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