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Assessing the quality of the income data used in SAMOD, a South African tax-benefit microsimulation model

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Listed:
  • Gemma Wright
  • Helen Barnes
  • Michael Noble
  • David McLennan
  • Faith Masekesa

Abstract

In this paper we explore the income data in two surveys that underpin a South African tax-benefit microsimulation model. The simulated taxes and benefits using each dataset are compared with each other and with administrative data for a common time point. We explore discrepancies between the simulated and administrative data on personal income tax, with reference to the distribution of tax payers and the amount of tax simulated. Both surveys suffer from unit missing or item implausible cases for high income individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Gemma Wright & Helen Barnes & Michael Noble & David McLennan & Faith Masekesa, 2018. "Assessing the quality of the income data used in SAMOD, a South African tax-benefit microsimulation model," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-173, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2018-173
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Channing Arndt, 2018. "New Data, New Approaches and New Evidence: A Policy Synthesis," South African Journal of Economics, Economic Society of South Africa, vol. 86(S1), pages 167-178, January.
    2. Lidia Ceriani & Carlo V. Fiorio & Chiara Gigliarano, 2013. "The importance of choosing the data set for tax-benefit analysis," International Journal of Microsimulation, International Microsimulation Association, vol. 1(6), pages 86-121.
    3. Arden Finn & Murray Leibbrandt, 2016. "The dynamics of poverty in the first four waves of NIDS," SALDRU Working Papers 174, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
    4. Lidia CERIANI & Carlo V. FIORIO & Chiara GHIGLIARANO, 2013. "The importance of choosing the data set for tax-benefit analysis," Departmental Working Papers 2013-05, Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods at Università degli Studi di Milano.
    5. Holly Sutherland & Francesco Figari, 2013. "EUROMOD: the European Union tax-benefit microsimulation model," International Journal of Microsimulation, International Microsimulation Association, vol. 1(6), pages 4-26.
    6. Sutherland, Holly, 2001. "EUROMOD: an integrated European benefit-tax model: final report," EUROMOD Working Papers EM9/01, EUROMOD at the Institute for Social and Economic Research.
    7. Martin Wittenberg, 2017. "Measurement of earnings: Comparing South African tax and survey data," SALDRU Working Papers 212, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rebone Gcabo & Boitumelo Moche & Wynnona Steyn & Boikhutso Moahlodi & Jukka Pirttilä & Michael Noble & Gemma Wright & Helen Barnes & Faith Masekesa, 2019. "Modelling value-added tax (VAT) in South Africa: Assessing the distributional impact of the recent increase in the VAT rate and options for redress through the benefits system," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2019-13, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).

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