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Does A Progressive Wealth Tax Reduce Top Wealth Inequality? Evidence From Switzerland

Author

Listed:
  • Samira Marti

    (University of Zurich)

  • Isabel Martínez

    (ETH Zurich)

  • Florian Scheuer

    (University of Zurich)

Abstract

Like in many other countries, wealth inequality has increased in Switzerland over the last fifty years. By providing new evidence on cantonal top wealth shares for each of the 26 cantons since 1969, we show that the overall trend masks striking differences across cantons, both in levels and trends. Combining this with variation in cantonal wealth taxes, we then estimate an event study model to identify the dynamic effects of reforms to top wealth tax rates on the subsequent evolution of wealth concentration. Our results imply that a reduction in the top marginal wealth tax rate by 0.1 percentage points increases the top 1% (0.1%) wealth share by 0.9 (1.2) percentage points five years after the reform. This suggests that wealth tax cuts over the last 50 years explain roughly 18% (25%) of the increase in wealth concentration among the top 1% (0.1%).

Suggested Citation

  • Samira Marti & Isabel Martínez & Florian Scheuer, 2023. "Does A Progressive Wealth Tax Reduce Top Wealth Inequality? Evidence From Switzerland," Working Papers 013, EU Tax Observatory.
    • Handle: RePEc:dbp:wpaper:013
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    File URL: https://www.taxobservatory.eu//www-site/uploads/2023/03/WP13_EUTO_Progressive-Wealth-Tax_202303.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Wealth Inequality; Wealth Taxation; Top Wealth Shares; Cantonal Tax Policy; Switzerland; Event Study Analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • N34 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: 1913-

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