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Taxing Women: A Macroeconomic Analysis

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  • Guner, Nezih
  • Ventura, Gustavo
  • Kaygusuz, Remzi

Abstract

Based on well-known evidence on labor supply elasticities, several authors have concluded that women should be taxed at lower rates than men. We evaluate the quantitative implications and merits of this proposition. Relative to the current system of taxation, setting a proportional tax rate on married females equal to 4% (8%) increases output and married female labor force participation by about 3.9% (3.4%) and 6.9% (4.0%), respectively. Gender-based taxes improve welfare and are preferred by a majority of households. Nevertheless, welfare gains are higher when the U.S. tax system is replaced by a proportional, gender-neutral income tax.

Suggested Citation

  • Guner, Nezih & Ventura, Gustavo & Kaygusuz, Remzi, 2012. "Taxing Women: A Macroeconomic Analysis," CEPR Discussion Papers 8735, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:8735
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labour force participation; Taxation; Two-earner households;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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