Optimal Fiscal Devaluation

58 Pages Posted: 16 Jun 2012

See all articles by François Langot

François Langot

Le Mans University; University of Angers - Centre d'Etudes Prospectives d'Economie Mathematique Appliquees a la Planification (CEPREMAP); Université du Maine - Groupe d' Analyse des Itineraires et Niveaux Salariaux (GAINS); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Lise Patureau

University of Cergy-Pontoise - Department of Economics

Thepthida Sopraseuth

Université du Maine; University of Angers - Centre d'Etudes Prospectives d'Economie Mathematique Appliquees a la Planification (CEPREMAP)

Abstract

We study fiscal devaluation in a small-open economy with labor market search frictions. Our analysis shows the key role of both dimensions in shaping the optimal tax scheme. By reducing labor market distortions, the tax reform is welfare-improving. Yet, as it makes imports more expensive, fiscal devaluation lowers the agents' purchasing power, which is welfare-reducing. These contrasting effects give rise to an optimal tax scheme. Besides, transition matters. If the economy is better off in the long run, the required transitional saving effort increases the cost of the reform, thereby calling for a moderate magnitude of fiscal devaluation.

Keywords: fiscal devaluation, consumption tax, payroll tax, labor market search, small open economy, Dynamic General Equilibrium model

JEL Classification: E27, E62, H21, J38

Suggested Citation

Langot, Francois and Patureau, Lise and Sopraseuth, Thepthida, Optimal Fiscal Devaluation. IZA Discussion Paper No. 6624, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2085211 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2085211

Francois Langot (Contact Author)

Le Mans University ( email )

University of Angers - Centre d'Etudes Prospectives d'Economie Mathematique Appliquees a la Planification (CEPREMAP) ( email )

Ecole Normale Superieure
48 boulevard Jourdan
75014 Paris
France

Université du Maine - Groupe d' Analyse des Itineraires et Niveaux Salariaux (GAINS) ( email )

72085 Le Mans Cedex 9
France

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Lise Patureau

University of Cergy-Pontoise - Department of Economics ( email )

Site des Chênes 1
33 boulevard du Port
Cergy-Pontoise, Cédex F-95011
France

Thepthida Sopraseuth

Université du Maine ( email )

72085 Le Mans Cedex 9
France

University of Angers - Centre d'Etudes Prospectives d'Economie Mathematique Appliquees a la Planification (CEPREMAP)

Ecole Normale Superieure
48 boulevard Jourdan
75014 Paris
France

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