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Norms, Enforcement, and Tax Evasion

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  • Timothy Besley
  • Anders Jensen
  • Torsten Persson

Abstract

This paper studies individual and social motives in tax evasion. We build a simple dynamic model that incorporates these motives and their interaction. The social motives underpin the role of norms and is the source of the dynamics that we study. Our empirical analysis exploits the adoption in 1990 of a poll tax to fund local government in the UK, which led to widespread evasion. The evidence is consistent with the model's main predictions on the dynamics of evasion.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy Besley & Anders Jensen & Torsten Persson, 2019. "Norms, Enforcement, and Tax Evasion," NBER Working Papers 25575, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:25575
    Note: PE POL
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • H3 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents

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