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Ist Deutschland wirklich so progressiv? Einkommensumverteilung im europäischen Vergleich

Author

Listed:
  • Peichl, Andreas

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München)

  • Pestel, Nico

    (State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia)

  • Siegloch, Sebastian

    (University of Cologne)

Abstract

Deutschland wird im europäischen Vergleich häufig ein überdurchschnittlich progressives Steuersystem attestiert. Die einzigartige, mehrstufige Progressionsformel der Einkommensteuer trägt ohne Zweifel zu dieser Sichtweise bei. Um ein umfassendes Bild der Progressivität eines Gesamtsystems zu bekommen, müssen jedoch andere Steuer- und Abgabenarten, wie indirekte Steuern und Sozialversicherungsabgaben, mit einbezogen werden. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die Gesamtprogressivität des deutschen Steuer-, Abgaben- und Transfersystems quantifiziert und im europäischen Kontext verglichen. Darüber hinaus werden die vom Steuersystem ausgehenden Umverteilungswirkungen analysiert. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Progressivität Deutschlands im europäischen Vergleich insgesamt eher im mittleren Bereich anzusiedeln ist. Selbst der Einkommensteuer kann nur eine mittlere Progressivität, dafür aber eine relativ hohe Umverteilungswirkung bescheinigt werden. Diese wird allerdings durch die stark regressiv wirkenden Sozialversicherungsbeiträge und die indirekten Steuern reduziert. Daher sollte an die Stelle des gegenwärtigen Systems ein integriertes Steuer- und Abgabensystem treten, das die Regressivität der Sozialversicherungsabgaben beseitigt und eine Reduktion der Progression für mittlere Einkommen erreicht.

Suggested Citation

  • Peichl, Andreas & Pestel, Nico & Siegloch, Sebastian, 2012. "Ist Deutschland wirklich so progressiv? Einkommensumverteilung im europäischen Vergleich," IZA Standpunkte 53, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izasps:sp53
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    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

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