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The redistributive impact of hypocrisy in international taxation

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  • Lukas Hakelberg
  • Max Schaub

Abstract

Why do tax havens, whose attractiveness for foreign investors depends upon financial secrecy, agree to automatically report account data to foreign governments? From a contractualist perspective, their cooperation should be motivated by the expectation of joint gains. Prior to such agreement, however, tax havens expected outflows of foreign capital and reductions in economic activity as likely outcomes. We show that the United States (US) imposed automatic information exchange on these countries without itself participating. The result is a strongly redistributive regime that worsens the economic situation of tax havens. By means of a difference‐in‐differences analysis, we ascertain a substantial and statistically significant negative effect of a US sanction threat on the value of assets held by foreigners in tax havens relative to non‐havens. The effect becomes stronger when the US is included in the non‐haven group. The analysis confirms the US's ability to redistribute financial wealth internationally through organized hypocrisy.

Suggested Citation

  • Lukas Hakelberg & Max Schaub, 2018. "The redistributive impact of hypocrisy in international taxation," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(3), pages 353-370, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:reggov:v:12:y:2018:i:3:p:353-370
    DOI: 10.1111/rego.12156
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. James Alm & Peter Gerbrands & Erich Kirchler, 2022. "Using “responsive regulation” to reduce tax base erosion," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), pages 738-759, July.
    3. Petr Janský & Markus Meinzer & Miroslav Palanský, 2022. "Is Panama really your tax haven? Secrecy jurisdictions and the countries they harm," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), pages 673-704, July.
    4. Leo Ahrens & Lukas Hakelberg & Thomas Rixen, 2022. "A victim of regulatory arbitrage? Automatic exchange of information and the use of golden visas and corporate shells," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), pages 653-672, July.
    5. Sheila Killian & Philip O'Regan & Ruth Lynch & Martin Laheen & Dionysios Karavidas, 2022. "Regulating havens: The role of hard and soft governance of tax experts in conditions of secrecy and low regulation," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), pages 722-737, July.

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