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An Application of Distribution-Neutral Fiscal Policy

Author

Listed:
  • Mr. Sanjeev Gupta
  • Sugata Marjit
  • Sandip Sarkar

Abstract

Distribution neutral fiscal policy refers to a structure of taxes and transfers that keep the income distribution unchanged even after positive or negative shocks to an economy. This is referred to as a Strong Pareto Superior (SPS) allocation which improves the standard Pareto criterion by keeping the degree of inequality, but not the absolute level of income intact. We apply this methodology to India to compute SPS tax rates and determine their proximity to actual tax rates. Limited available data on income and expenditure shows that the official policies so far are close to desired benchmark level. Our methodological contribution will be enriched further with more detailed income tax and transfer data.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Sanjeev Gupta & Sugata Marjit & Sandip Sarkar, 2018. "An Application of Distribution-Neutral Fiscal Policy," IMF Working Papers 2018/012, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2018/012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sugata Marjit & Anjan Mukherji & Sandip Sarkar, 2018. "Pareto Efficiency, Inequality and Distribution Neutral Fiscal Policy - An Overview," Discussion Papers Series 590, School of Economics, University of Queensland, Australia.
    2. Sugata Marjit & Amlan Majumder & Sandip Sarkar & Lei Yang, 2020. "Inequality Convergence and Distribution Neutral Fiscal Policy," CESifo Working Paper Series 8119, CESifo.
    3. Debasmita Basu & Sandip Sarkar, 2023. "Polarization in Indian Education: An Ordinal Variable Approach," Journal of Quantitative Economics, Springer;The Indian Econometric Society (TIES), vol. 21(3), pages 569-591, September.

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