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Taxation and Endogenous Growth in Open Economies

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  • Nouriel Roubini
  • Mr. Gian M Milesi-Ferretti

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of taxation of human capital, physical capital and foreign assets in a multi-sector model of endogenous growth. It is shown that in general the growth rate is reduced by taxes on capital and labor (human capital) income. When the government faces no borrowing constraints and is able to commit to a given set of present and future taxes, it is shown that the optimal tax plan involves high taxation of both capital and labor in the short run. This allows the government to accumulate sufficient assets to finance spending without any recourse to distortionary taxation in the long run. When restrictions to government borrowing and lending are imposed, the model implies that human and physical capital should be taxed similarly.

Suggested Citation

  • Nouriel Roubini & Mr. Gian M Milesi-Ferretti, 1994. "Taxation and Endogenous Growth in Open Economies," IMF Working Papers 1994/077, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:1994/077
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Enrique G. Mendoza & Linda L. Tesar, 1995. "Supply-Side Economics in a Global Economy," NBER Working Papers 5086, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Ho, Wai-Hong & Yang, C.C., 2013. "Factor income taxation and growth with increasing integration of world capital markets," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 120(3), pages 477-480.
    3. Hettich, Frank & Svane, Minna Selene, 1998. "Environmental policy in a two sector endogenous growth model," Discussion Papers, Series I 290, University of Konstanz, Department of Economics.
    4. Blackburn, Keith & Hung, Victor T. Y. & Pozzolo, Alberto F., 2000. "Research, Development and Human Capital Accumulation," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 22(2), pages 189-206, April.
    5. Pozzolo, Alberto Franco, 2004. "Endogenous Growth in Open Economies - A Survey of Major Results," Economics & Statistics Discussion Papers esdp04020, University of Molise, Department of Economics.
    6. Pablo Serra, 1998. "El Sistema Impositivo y su Efecto en el Funcionamiento de la Economía: Una Revisión de la Literatura," Working Papers Central Bank of Chile 39, Central Bank of Chile.
    7. Gian Maria Milesi-Ferrett & Nouriel Roubini, 1995. "Growth Effects of Income and Consumption Taxes: Positive and Normative Analysis," NBER Working Papers 5317, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    8. Alberto Bucci, 2009. "Scale Effects, Savings and Factor Shares in a Human Capital-based Growth Model with Physical Capital Accumulation," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 291-307.
    9. Ben Fine, 1998. "Endogenous Growth Theory: A Critical Assessment," Working Papers 80, Department of Economics, SOAS University of London, UK.
    10. Nouriel Roubini & Mr. Gian M Milesi-Ferretti, 1994. "Taxation and Endogenous Growth in Open Economies," IMF Working Papers 1994/077, International Monetary Fund.
    11. Alberto Franco Pozzolo, 2004. "Endogenous growth in open economies: a surveys," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 527, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    12. Brambila Macias, Jose, 2008. "Remittances, Migration and Informality in Mexico. A Simple Model," MPRA Paper 8373, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Mendoza, Enrique G & Tesar, Linda L, 1998. "The International Ramifications of Tax Reforms: Supply-Side Economics in a Global Economy," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 88(1), pages 226-245, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    WP; physical capital; tax rate; income tax; real interest rate;
    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
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models

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