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Taxes, Saving, and Welfare: Theory and Evidence

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  • Charles E. McLure, Jr.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review theoretical analysis and results of empirical research on the effects of taxation on private saving and economic welfare. One basic conclusion of section II is that long-established results of theoretical analysis are often ignored or misunderstood by economists, as well as by policy-makers, and the lessons of more recent theoretical analyses of optimal taxation have been only dimly perceived. This generally inadequate conceptual state of affairs is mirrored in empirical analysis, the subject of section III, where it appears that the few serious scholars working at trying to untangle the effects of taxation on saving and welfare have not always been asking -- or even recognizing -- the "right"questions. But the problems of empirical analysis go beyond those that result from failure to frame the research question carefully. Limitations posed by inadequate data and econometric difficulties make it difficult even to arrive at a satisfactory answer to the wrong question.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles E. McLure, Jr., 1980. "Taxes, Saving, and Welfare: Theory and Evidence," NBER Working Papers 0504, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:0504
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosen, Harvey S, 1980. "What Is Labor Supply and Do Taxes Affect It?," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 70(2), pages 171-176, May.
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    8. David, Paul A & Scadding, John L, 1974. "Private Savings: Ultrarationality, Aggregation, and "Denison's Law."," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 82(2), pages 225-249, Part I, M.
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    Cited by:

    1. Martin S. Feldstein & Daniel R. Feenberg, 1983. "Alternative Tax Rules and Personal Saving Incentives: Microeconomic Data and Behavioral Simulations," NBER Chapters, in: Behavioral Simulation Methods in Tax Policy Analysis, pages 173-210, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Charles E. McLure, Jr., 1981. "The Elusive Incidence of the Corporate Income Tax: The State Case," NBER Working Papers 0616, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. McLure, Charles E, 1996. "The US debate on comsuption-based taxes: implication for the Americas," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 34292, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    4. Fischer Black, 1981. "When Is a Positive Income Tax Optimal?," NBER Working Papers 0631, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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