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Free the Period? Evaluating Tampon Tax Reforms Using Household Scanner Data

Author

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  • Klara Kinnl

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

  • Ulrich Wohak

    (Department of Economics, Vienna University of Economics and Business)

Abstract

We study price and volume effects of VAT reductions for period products. We exploit varying treatment intensities and timing in several European countries and find that in response to a one percentage point reduction in the VAT, prices decrease by 0.55% in the following 12 months. Pass-through rates range from full pass-through to over-shifting 12 months post policy change, with low-income households benefiting the most. While the average effect on aggregate purchase volumes is statistically zero, low income households’ demand is stimulated. We find evidence that households purchase higher quality products as a result of the tax reform.

Suggested Citation

  • Klara Kinnl & Ulrich Wohak, 2023. "Free the Period? Evaluating Tampon Tax Reforms Using Household Scanner Data," Department of Economics Working Papers wuwp356, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwwuw:wuwp356
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lydia Dimitrakopoulou & Christos Genakos & Themistoklis Kampouris & Stella Papadokonstantaki, 2023. "VAT pass-through and competition: Evidence from the Greek Islands," POID Working Papers 078, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
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    9. E. Glen Weyl & Michal Fabinger, 2013. "Pass-Through as an Economic Tool: Principles of Incidence under Imperfect Competition," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 121(3), pages 528-583.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    tax pass-through; VAT reduction; tampon tax; scanner data; tax incidence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • H22 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Incidence
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis

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