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Impact of VAT Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare

Author

Listed:
  • Helmut Dietl
  • Christian Jaag
  • Markus Lang
  • Martin Lutzenberger
  • Urs Trinkner

Abstract

The focus of our paper is on the competitive effects of the proposed VAT regime relative to selected alternatives. We also highlight the welfare effects of various VAT scenarios. While an exempt operator cannot reclaim VAT paid on inputs (relevant for non-labor inputs only) and therefore faces higher costs ceteris paribus, an important fraction of customers of non-exempt operators will not be able to deduct VAT themselves. Hence, the exempt incumbent operator has on the one hand a cost disadvantage, and on the other, a price advantage. The net effect will depend on the fraction of non-labor inputs relative to the fraction of non-rated customers. We report market shares, optimum prices, tax revenue and welfare in a liberalized postal market. The various scenarios differ by the operators? VAT status. We also take into account the fraction of non-rated customers that cannot deduct VAT themselves. The paper sheds light on the main competitive impact of VAT policies while showing the consequences on overall welfare. We show that the results are very sensitive to the operators? labor policies. Consequently, VAT exemptions have a different impact in countries with different labor regulations. The comprehensive treatment of competition and welfare enables us to provide guidance on how to resolve the policy trade-off between consumer surplus, government tax revenue, and a level playing field in liberalized postal markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Helmut Dietl & Christian Jaag & Markus Lang & Martin Lutzenberger & Urs Trinkner, 2010. "Impact of VAT Exemptions in the Postal Sector on Competition and Welfare," Working Papers 0022, Swiss Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:chc:wpaper:0022
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    File URL: http://www.swiss-economics.ch/RePEc/files/0022DietlJaagLangLutzenbergerTrinkner.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. De Donder Philippe & Cremer Helmuth & Dudley Paul & Rodriguez Frank, 2009. "On the Value Added Taxation Status of National Postal Operators," Review of Network Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 8(3), pages 1-22, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Christian Jaag, 2010. "Bestimmungsfaktoren für die Wettbewerbsentwicklung in Briefmärkten," Economics Musings 0001, Swiss Economics.
    2. Christian Jaag & Urs Trinkner & Jeffrey Yusof, 2014. "Assessment of EU Postal Sector Policy during the Second Barroso Administration (2010-2014)," Working Papers 0050, Swiss Economics.
    3. Dietl Helmut M & Jaag Christian & Lang Markus & Trinkner Urs W.O., 2011. "Competition and Welfare Effects of VAT Exemptions," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 11(1), pages 1-29, April.
    4. Jaag, Christian, 2014. "Postal-sector policy: From monopoly to regulated competition and beyond," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 266-277.

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    1. Dietl Helmut M & Jaag Christian & Lang Markus & Trinkner Urs W.O., 2011. "Competition and Welfare Effects of VAT Exemptions," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 11(1), pages 1-29, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Value Added Taxation; Regulation; Post; Competition; Welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • L52 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Industrial Policy; Sectoral Planning Methods

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