Coordinated Tax-Tariff Reforms, Informality, and Welfare Distribution
CentER Discussion Paper Series No. 2010-61
51 Pages Posted: 24 Jun 2010
There are 2 versions of this paper
Coordinated Tax-Tariff Reforms, Informality, and Welfare Distribution
Date Written: May 31, 2010
Abstract
The paper studies the revenue, efficiency, and distributional implications of a simple strategy of offsetting tariff reductions with increases in destination-based consumption taxes so as to leave consumer prices unchanged. We employ a dynamic micro-founded macroeconomic model of a small open developing economy, which features an informal sector that cannot be taxed, a formal agricultural sector, and an import-substitution sector. The reform strategy increases government revenue, imports, exports, and the informal sector. In contrast to Emran and Stiglitz (2005), who ignore the dynamic effects of taxes and tariffs on factor markets, we find an efficiency gain, which is unevenly distributed. Existing generations benefit more than future generations, who - depending on pre-existing tax and tariff rates and the informal sector size - even may become worse off.
Keywords: Tariff reform, consumption tax reform, informal sector, home production, transitional dynamics, overlapping generations, second-best outcome
JEL Classification: E26, F11, F13, H20, H26
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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