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Computerizing VAT Invoices in China

Author

Listed:
  • Haichao Fan
  • Yu Liu
  • Nancy Qian
  • Jaya Wen

Abstract

This paper documents that an increase in the enforcement of value-added tax (VAT) caused by the adoption of a new technology significantly increased VAT payments by large manufacturing firms in China. The reform contributed to 27.1% of VAT revenues and 12.9% of total government revenues in the five subsequent years. The main mechanism is likely to be a reduction in VAT deductions. The dynamic effects of the reform suggest that the rise in tax revenues is non-monotonic over time, with large short-run gains and smaller, though still positive, long-run gains. The reform also reduced firm revenues and inputs, and increased productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Haichao Fan & Yu Liu & Nancy Qian & Jaya Wen, 2018. "Computerizing VAT Invoices in China," NBER Working Papers 24414, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:24414
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Pi‐Han Tsai & Yongzheng Liu & Xin Liu, 2021. "Collusion, political connection, and tax avoidance in China," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(3), pages 417-441, August.
    2. Andres Gonzalez Lira & Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak, 2018. "Enforcing Regulation under Illicit Adaptation," HKUST IEMS Working Paper Series 2018-57, HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies, revised Aug 2018.
    3. Mazhar Waseem & Mazhar Waseem, 2019. "Information, Asymmetric Incentives, or Withholding? Understanding the Self-Enforcement of Value-Added Tax," CESifo Working Paper Series 7736, CESifo.
    4. Zhao Chen & Yuxuan He & Zhikuo Liu & Juan Carlos Suárez Serrato & Daniel Yi Xu, 2021. "The Structure of Business Taxation in China," Tax Policy and the Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 35(1), pages 131-177.
    5. Gonzalez-Lira, Andres & Mobarak, Ahmed Mushfiq, 2019. "Slippery Fish: Enforcing Regulation under Subversive Adaptation," IZA Discussion Papers 12179, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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