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Tax Responses in Local Public Finance: The Flypaper Effect at Work

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  • Marko Köthenbürger
  • Gabriel Loumeau

Abstract

The transfer elasticity of income tax rates is an important parameter in public finance. Given the significant fiscal autonomy of Swiss municipalities, Switzerland is an ideal setting for examining behavioral responses to tax policy. Using a regression kink design, we find robust causal evidence that transfers have a positive local average treatment effect on municipal expenditures while leaving the income tax rate (and other tax rates) unchanged. Thus, ‘money sticks where it hits’, providing comprehensive support for the flypaper effect, including with regard to income tax responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Marko Köthenbürger & Gabriel Loumeau, 2023. "Tax Responses in Local Public Finance: The Flypaper Effect at Work," CESifo Working Paper Series 10354, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_10354
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    public finance; regression kink design; flypaper effect; transfers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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