Wealth and Inheritance Taxation
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Public Good Or Private Wealth? Universal Health, Education and Other Public Services Reduce the Gap Between Rich and Poor, and Between Women and Men
Public good or private wealth? Universal health, education and other public services reduce the gap between rich and poor, and between women and men. Fairer taxation of the wealthiest can help pay for them. www.oxfam.org OXFAM BRIEFING PAPER – JANUARY 2019 Our economy is broken, with hundreds of millions of people living in extreme poverty while huge rewards go to those at the very top. The number of billionaires has doubled since the financial crisis and their fortunes grow by $2.5bn a day, yet the super-rich and corporations are paying lower rates of tax than they have in decades. The human costs – children without teachers, clinics without medicines – are huge. Piecemeal private services punish poor people and privilege elites. Women suffer the most, and are left to fill the gaps in public services with many hours of unpaid care. We need to transform our economies to deliver universal health, education and other public services. To make this possible, the richest people and corporations should pay their fair share of tax. This will drive a dramatic reduction in the gap between rich and poor and between women and men. This paper was written by Max Lawson, Man-Kwun Chan, Francesca Rhodes, Anam Parvez Butt, Anna Marriott, Ellen Ehmke, Didier Jacobs, Julie Seghers, Jaime Atienza and Rebecca Gowland. Oxfam acknowledges the assistance of Elizabeth Njambi, Charlotte Becker, Anna Ratcliff, Jon Slater, Ana Arendar, Patricia Espinoza Revollo, Irene Guijt, Franziska Mager, Iñigo Macías Aymar, Kira Boe, Katie Malouf Bous, Katharina Down, Nabil Ahmed, Matthew Spencer, Oliver Pearce and Susana Ruiz in its production. -
Global Wealth Inequality
EC11CH05_Zucman ARjats.cls August 7, 2019 12:27 Annual Review of Economics Global Wealth Inequality Gabriel Zucman1,2 1Department of Economics, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA; email: [email protected] 2National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Annu. Rev. Econ. 2019. 11:109–38 Keywords First published as a Review in Advance on inequality, wealth, tax havens May 13, 2019 The Annual Review of Economics is online at Abstract economics.annualreviews.org This article reviews the recent literature on the dynamics of global wealth https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-economics- Annu. Rev. Econ. 2019.11:109-138. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org inequality. I first reconcile available estimates of wealth inequality inthe 080218-025852 United States. Both surveys and tax data show that wealth inequality has in- Access provided by University of California - Berkeley on 08/26/19. For personal use only. Copyright © 2019 by Annual Reviews. creased dramatically since the 1980s, with a top 1% wealth share of approx- All rights reserved imately 40% in 2016 versus 25–30% in the 1980s. Second, I discuss the fast- JEL codes: D31, E21, H26 growing literature on wealth inequality across the world. Evidence points toward a rise in global wealth concentration: For China, Europe, and the United States combined, the top 1% wealth share has increased from 28% in 1980 to 33% today, while the bottom 75% share hovered around 10%. Recent studies, however, may underestimate the level and rise of inequal- ity, as financial globalization makes it increasingly hard to measure wealth at the top. -
A Proposal for a Simple Average-Based Progressive Taxation System
A proposal for a simple average-based progressive taxation system DIRK-HINNERK FISCHER, Ph.D.* SIMONA FERRARO, Ph.D.* Preliminary communication** JEL: H21, H24 https://doi.org/10.3326/pse.43.2.2 * We would like to thank the participants of the FairTax special session of the conference “Enterprise and Competitive Environment 2017” for their comments on a draft of this paper. We would also like to thank Ton Notermans of Tallinn University of Technology for his advice on the paper as well as the two anonymous referees. ** Received: January 9, 2019 Accepted: April 1, 2019 Dirk-Hinnerk FISCHER Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 3, 12611 Tallinn, Estonia e-mail: [email protected] ORCiD: 0000-0002-1040-8347 Simona FERRARO Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 3, 12611 Tallinn, Estonia e-mail: [email protected] ORCiD: 0000-0001-5175-5348 Abstract 142 This paper is a first theoretical presentation of a simple progressive taxation sys- tem. The system is based on two adaptations of one easily calculable formula that is based on the societal average income of the previous year. The system contrib- utes to academic discussions as it is a novel approach. It is a progressive tax that 43 (2) 141-165 (2019) ECONOMICS PUBLIC does not discriminate against anyone as the progression increases continuously SECTOR and the increase in tax payment does not go beyond the additional income. The analysis in the paper shows that the core advantage of the system is its simple, transparent and adaptable mechanism. Keywords: taxation, flat tax, progressive tax, taxation efficiency 1 INTRODUCTION A DIRK PROPOSAL Complicated taxation systems do not only lead to a significant increase in admin- - HINNERK istrative costs for all parties involved, but they can also lead to unjustified tax FOR exemptions and loopholes. -
Regressive Sin Taxes
NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES REGRESSIVE SIN TAXES Benjamin B. Lockwood Dmitry Taubinsky Working Paper 23085 http://www.nber.org/papers/w23085 NATIONAL BUREAU OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH 1050 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 January 2017 We thank Hunt Allcott, Alan Auerbach, Raj Chetty, Stefano DellaVigna, Emmanuel Farhi, Xavier Gabaix, Nathaniel Hendren, Louis Kaplow, David Laibson, Erzo F.P. Luttmer, Matthew Rabin, Alex Rees-Jones, Emmanuel Saez, Jim Sallee, Florian Scheuer, Stefanie Stantcheva, Matthew Weinzierl, and participants at seminars and conferences for helpful comments and discussions. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research. NBER working papers are circulated for discussion and comment purposes. They have not been peer- reviewed or been subject to the review by the NBER Board of Directors that accompanies official NBER publications. © 2017 by Benjamin B. Lockwood and Dmitry Taubinsky. All rights reserved. Short sections of text, not to exceed two paragraphs, may be quoted without explicit permission provided that full credit, including © notice, is given to the source. Regressive Sin Taxes Benjamin B. Lockwood and Dmitry Taubinsky NBER Working Paper No. 23085 January 2017 JEL No. H0,I18,I3,K32,K34 ABSTRACT A common objection to “sin taxes”—corrective taxes on goods like cigarettes, alcohol, and sugary drinks, which are believed to be over-consumed—is that they fall disproportionately on low-income consumers. This paper studies the interaction between corrective and redistributive motives in a general optimal taxation framework. On the one hand, redistributive concerns amplify the corrective benefits of a sin tax when sin good consumption is concentrated on the poor, even when bias and demand elasticities are constant across incomes. -
Saleh Poll Tax December 2011
On the Road to Heaven: Poll tax, Religion, and Human Capital in Medieval and Modern Egypt Mohamed Saleh* University of Southern California (Preliminary and Incomplete: December 1, 2011) Abstract In the Middle East, non-Muslims are, on average, better off than the Muslim majority. I trace the origins of the phenomenon in Egypt to the imposition of the poll tax on non- Muslims upon the Islamic Conquest of the then-Coptic Christian Egypt in 640. The tax, which remained until 1855, led to the conversion of poor Copts to Islam to avoid paying the tax, and to the shrinking of Copts to a better off minority. Using new data sources that I digitized, including the 1848 and 1868 census manuscripts, I provide empirical evidence to support the hypothesis. I find that the spatial variation in poll tax enforcement and tax elasticity of conversion, measured by four historical factors, predicts the variation in the Coptic population share in the 19th century, which is, in turn, inversely related to the magnitude of the Coptic-Muslim gap, as predicted by the hypothesis. The four factors are: (i) the 8th and 9th centuries tax revolts, (ii) the Arab immigration waves to Egypt in the 7th to 9th centuries, (iii) the Coptic churches and monasteries in the 12th and 15th centuries, and (iv) the route of the Holy Family in Egypt. I draw on a wide range of qualitative evidence to support these findings. Keywords: Islamic poll tax; Copts, Islamic Conquest; Conversion; Middle East JEL Classification: N35 * The author is a PhD candidate at the Department of Economics, University of Southern California (E- mail: [email protected]). -
Taxation of Land and Economic Growth
economies Article Taxation of Land and Economic Growth Shulu Che 1, Ronald Ravinesh Kumar 2 and Peter J. Stauvermann 1,* 1 Department of Global Business and Economics, Changwon National University, Changwon 51140, Korea; [email protected] 2 School of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Laucala Campus, The University of the South Pacific, Suva 40302, Fiji; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +82-55-213-3309 Abstract: In this paper, we theoretically analyze the effects of three types of land taxes on economic growth using an overlapping generation model in which land can be used for production or con- sumption (housing) purposes. Based on the analyses in which land is used as a factor of production, we can confirm that the taxation of land will lead to an increase in the growth rate of the economy. Particularly, we show that the introduction of a tax on land rents, a tax on the value of land or a stamp duty will cause the net price of land to decline. Further, we show that the nationalization of land and the redistribution of the land rents to the young generation will maximize the growth rate of the economy. Keywords: taxation of land; land rents; overlapping generation model; land property; endoge- nous growth Citation: Che, Shulu, Ronald 1. Introduction Ravinesh Kumar, and Peter J. In this paper, we use a growth model to theoretically investigate the influence of Stauvermann. 2021. Taxation of Land different types of land tax on economic growth. Further, we investigate how the allocation and Economic Growth. Economies 9: of the tax revenue influences the growth of the economy. -
Ecotaxes: a Comparative Study of India and China
Ecotaxes: A Comparative Study of India and China Rajat Verma ISBN 978-81-7791-209-8 © 2016, Copyright Reserved The Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) is engaged in interdisciplinary research in analytical and applied areas of the social sciences, encompassing diverse aspects of development. ISEC works with central, state and local governments as well as international agencies by undertaking systematic studies of resource potential, identifying factors influencing growth and examining measures for reducing poverty. The thrust areas of research include state and local economic policies, issues relating to sociological and demographic transition, environmental issues and fiscal, administrative and political decentralization and governance. It pursues fruitful contacts with other institutions and scholars devoted to social science research through collaborative research programmes, seminars, etc. The Working Paper Series provides an opportunity for ISEC faculty, visiting fellows and PhD scholars to discuss their ideas and research work before publication and to get feedback from their peer group. Papers selected for publication in the series present empirical analyses and generally deal with wider issues of public policy at a sectoral, regional or national level. These working papers undergo review but typically do not present final research results, and constitute works in progress. ECOTAXES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INDIA AND CHINA1 Rajat Verma2 Abstract This paper attempts to compare various forms of ecotaxes adopted by India and China in order to reduce their carbon emissions by 2020 and to address other environmental issues. The study contributes to the literature by giving a comprehensive definition of ecotaxes and using it to analyse the status of these taxes in India and China. -
How Do Tax Progressivity and Household Heterogeneity Affect
How Do Tax Progressivity and Household Heterogeneity Affect Laffer Curves?∗ Hans A. Holtery Dirk Kruegerz Serhiy Stepanchukx March 12, 2019 Abstract: How much additional tax revenue can the government generate by increasing the level of labor income taxes? In this paper we argue that the degree of tax progressivity is a quantitatively important determinant of the answer to this question. To make this point we develop a large scale overlapping generations model with single and married households facing idiosyncratic income risk, extensive and intensive margins of labor supply, as well as endogenous accumulation of human capital through labor market experience. We calibrate the model to U.S. macro, micro and tax data and characterize the labor income tax Laffer curve for various degrees of tax progressivity. We find that the peak of the U.S. Laffer curve is attained at an average labor income tax rate of 58%. This peak (the maximal tax revenues the government can raise) increases by 7% if the current progressive tax code is replaced with a flat labor income tax. Replacing the current U.S. tax system with one that has Denmark's progressivity would lower the peak by 8%. We show that modeling the extensive margin of labor supply and endogenous human capital accumulation is crucial for these findings. With joint taxation of married couples (as in the U.S.), higher tax progressivity leads to significantly lower labor force participation of married women and substantially higher labor force participation of single women, an effect that is especially pronounced when future wages of females depend positively on past labor market experience. -
PROGRESSIVE TAX REVENUE RAISERS HI TAX FAIRNESS January 2021
YES PROGRESSIVE TAX REVENUE RAISERS HI TAX FAIRNESS January 2021 www.hitaxfairness.org HAWAI‘I CAN PULL ITS ECONOMY OUT OF RECESSION BY USING TAX FAIRNESS MEASURES TO RAISE REVENUE & AVOID CUTS As Hawai‘i’s leaders head into 2021 Revenue Proposal Revenue Estimate while facing high unemployment (Millions) rates, an economic recession, and state budget shortfalls, it’s important Low High to keep in mind that deep government Raise income taxes on the richest 2% $12.6 $100.2 spending cuts would have a devastating effect on our already Phase out low tax rates $18.5 $153.9 injured economy, as well as hobble for those at the top social services that have become more and more essential during the Tax investments the same way $80.2 $80.2 pandemic crisis. regular income is taxed That’s because spending is the fuel Increase taxes on wealthy inheritances $6.6 $18.3 that keeps our economic engines running. As the private sector Raise corporate taxes $2.9 $103.0 engine of our economy sputters, the government needs to throttle Make global corporations pay taxes $38.0 $38.0 up its spending in order to keep the in Hawai‘i economy going. Past recessions have Make REITs pay their fair share of taxes $30.0 $60.0 shown us that state spending cuts just exacerbate the economic damage. Increase taxes on the sales of mansions $17.0 $71.5 At this crucial time, cutting government spending would be akin Tax vaping and increase $21.1 $24.1 to taking our foot off the pedal and other tobacco taxes letting the second engine of the Place a fee on sugary drinks $65.8 $65.8 economy sputter as well. -
What's Wrong with a Federal Inheritance Tax? Wendy G
University of Baltimore Law ScholarWorks@University of Baltimore School of Law All Faculty Scholarship Faculty Scholarship Spring 2014 What's Wrong with a Federal Inheritance Tax? Wendy G. Gerzog University of Baltimore School of Law, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.law.ubalt.edu/all_fac Part of the Estates and Trusts Commons, Taxation-Federal Commons, Taxation-Federal Estate and Gift ommonC s, and the Tax Law Commons Recommended Citation What's Wrong with a Federal Inheritance Tax?, 49 Real Prop. Tr. & Est. L.J. 163 (2014-2015) This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at ScholarWorks@University of Baltimore School of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Faculty Scholarship by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@University of Baltimore School of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. WHAT'S WRONG WITH A FEDERAL INHERITANCE TAX? Wendy C. Gerzog* Synopsis: Scholars have proposed a federal inheritance tax as an alternative to the current federal transfer taxes, but that proposal is seriously flawed. In any inheritance tax model, scholars should expect to see significantly decreased compliance rates and increased administrative costs because, by focusing on the transferees instead of on the transferor, an inheritance tax would multiply the number oftaxpayers subject to the tax. This Article reviews common characteristics ofexisting inheritance tax systems in the United States and internationally-particularly in Europe. In addition, the Article analyzes the novel Comprehensive Inheritance Tax (CIT) proposal, which combines some elements of existing inheritance tax systems with some features ofthe current transfer tax system and delivers the CIT through the federal income tax system. -
School Finance Tutorial
Public School Finance Seminar David Anderson Lisa Dawn-Fisher Texas Education Agency Big Picture of School Finance • The system is huge o Annual state aid and local taxes exceed $48.7 billion o 1% error in projecting state cost is worth $370 million in a biennium o It takes large amounts of money to make meaningful change in a system this large Sources of Funds Other local, $1.43 Local I&S taxes, $3.94 State Foundation*, $16.67 Local M&O taxes, $17.23 State Available*, $1.13 State Textbook, $0.17 State GR, $0.79 Federal, $7.19 Technology, $0.13 2009–2010 Estimated, $48.7 billion total (*includes SFSF) Big Picture of School Finance • Wealth is tax base per student, not absolute o A penny of tax rate in Houston ISD generates $10.8 million o A penny of tax rate in Divide ISD generates $5,397 • BUT, o At $1.00 tax rate, Houston ISD produces $5,989 per ADA o At $1.00 tax rate, Divide ISD produces $25,555 per ADA Big Picture of School Finance • Putting local property taxes into perspective o At a $1.00 tax rate, it takes $800,000 in taxable property value to generate $8,000 in local property taxes Three Basic Variables • Number of students o More students increase state cost o Fewer students decrease state cost • Property values o Higher values save the state general revenue (GR) o Lower values cost the state GR Three Basic Variables • Tax rates o In general Higher tax rates increase state cost and local budgets Lower tax rates decrease state cost and local budgets • BUT, o Rate compression costs the state One penny reduction in local tax -
Progressive Taxation, Nominal Wage Rigidity, and Business Cycle Destabilization
Progressive Taxation, Nominal Wage Rigidity, and Business Cycle Destabilization Miroslav Gabrovski Jang-Ting Guo University of Hawaii at Manoay University of California, Riversidez February 1, 2019 Abstract In the context of a prototypical New Keynesian model, this paper examines the theo- retical interrelations between two tractable formulations of progressive taxation on labor income versus (i) the equilibrium degree of nominal wage rigidity as well as (ii) the re- sulting volatilities of hours worked and output in response to a monetary shock. In sharp contrast to the traditional stabilization view, we analytically show that linearly progressive taxation always operates like an automatic destabilizer which leads to higher cyclical ‡uc- tuations within the macroeconomy. We also obtain the same business cycle destabilization result under continuously progressive taxation if the initial degree of tax progressivity is su¢ cient low. Keywords: Progressive Taxation, Nominal Wage Rigidity, Automatic Stabilizer, Business Cycles. JEL Classi…cation: E12, E32, E62, We thank Nicolas Caramp, Juin-Jen Chang, Yi Mao, Victor Ortego-Marti, Chong-Kee Yip, and seminar participants at Academia Sinica and Chinese University of Hong Kong for helpful comments and suggestions. Part of this research was conducted while Guo was a visiting research fellow at the Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica, whose hospitality is greatly appreciated. Of course, all remaining errors are own own. yDepartment of Economics, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2424 Maile Way, Saunders 516, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; Phone: 1-808-956-7749, Fax: 1-808-956-4347, E-mail: [email protected] zCorresponding Author. Department of Economics, 3133 Sproul Hall, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Phone: 1-951-827-1588, Fax: 1-951-827-5685, E-mail: [email protected].