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Taxation and the External Wealth of Nations: Evidence from Bilateral Portfolio Holdings

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  • Huizinga, Harry
  • Todtenhaupt, Maximilian
  • Voget, Johannes
  • Wagner, Wolf

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of capital income taxation on the composition of foreign portfolio investment. Studying bilateral portfolio positions among a sample of 37 countries over the period 2001-2015, we find that capital gains and dividend taxation reduce the share of equities in foreign investments, while interest taxation increases this share. The results suggest that domestic capital income taxation affects the worldwide asset allocation of domestic investors. The estimated tax sensitivities imply a significant increase in country’s external wealth following a tax policy change that stimulates investors to hold higher-yielding equity investments.

Suggested Citation

  • Huizinga, Harry & Todtenhaupt, Maximilian & Voget, Johannes & Wagner, Wolf, 2019. "Taxation and the External Wealth of Nations: Evidence from Bilateral Portfolio Holdings," CEPR Discussion Papers 14096, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:14096
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Asset allocation; Capital income taxation; Foreign portfolio investment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies

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