Description
Book SynopsisThis timely book analyses the elasticity of taxable income, a central concept in public finance with a rapidly growing wealth of literature. Combining original empirical research with rigorous theoretical modelling of tax revenue and optimal tax policy, this innovative study examines the complexities and new methods of estimating the elasticity of taxable income.
Clarifying the role of the elasticity of taxable income in influencing total tax revenue in a complex multi-rate structure, John Creedy divides the change in revenue into various components to derive revenue-maximising rates. He examines the welfare effects and ‘excess burden’ of income taxation, and considers the role of the elasticity in ‘optimal’ tax rates and administrative policy aiming to reduce tax evasion. The book concludes with a discussion concerning the problems and various methods of elasticity estimation, including regression and bunching.
With detailed illustrations to expand and engage, this will prove an invaluable read for students and scholars of economics, particularly those focusing on the economics of taxation and tax policy. The empirical analyses and practical insights will also benefit public sector economists and policy analysts concerned with tax design.
Trade Review‘This book by Professor Creedy provides an in-depth review of the elasticity of taxable income, a concept that nowadays has become a powerful parameter in the economic analysis of taxation. Undoubtedly, this highly recommended volume is an unavoidable reference for public finance researchers and those interested in the proper design of taxes.’ -- José Félix Sanz-Sanz, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
Table of ContentsContents: I Introduction 1. The Elasticity of Taxable Income 2. Some Basic Analytics II Tax Revenue and Welfare 3. Decomposing Revenue Changes 4. Revenue-Maximising Elasticities 5. Optimal Tax Rates and the ETI 6. Optimal Tax Enforcement III Empirical Estimation 7. Income Share and Difference-in-Difference Estimates 8. Regression Estimates of the Elasticity 9. Income Effects and the ETI 10. Bunching Estimates of the ETI IV The ETI and Couples 11. Couples and the Elasticity Bibliography Index
