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Firm Heterogeneity and the Long-Run Effects of Dividend Tax Reform

Author

Listed:
  • François Gourio

    (Department of Economics, Boston University)

  • Jianjun Miao

    (Department of Economics, Boston University)

Abstract

To study the long-run effect of dividend taxation on aggregate capital accumulation, we build a dynamic general equilibrium model in which there is a continuum of firms subject to idiosyncratic productivity shocks. We find that a dividend tax cut raises aggregate productivity by reducing the frictions in the reallocation of capital across firms. Our baseline model simulations show that when both dividend and capital gains tax rates are cut from 25 and 20 percent, respectively, to the same 15 percent level permanently, the aggregate long-run capital stock increases by about 4 percent.

Suggested Citation

  • François Gourio & Jianjun Miao, 2008. "Firm Heterogeneity and the Long-Run Effects of Dividend Tax Reform," Boston University - Department of Economics - Working Papers Series wp2008-002, Boston University - Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bos:wpaper:wp2008-002
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    firm heterogeneity; finance regime; dividend tax reform; general equilibrium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G35 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Payout Policy
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm

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