Permanent and Transitory Responses to Capital Gains Taxes: Evidence from a Lifetime Exemption in Canada

72 Pages Posted: 25 Mar 2021

See all articles by Adam Lavecchia

Adam Lavecchia

McMaster University; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Alisa Tazhitdinova

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

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Date Written: February 22, 2021

Abstract

Using panel data on a 20% random sample of Canadian taxpayers, we study behavioral responses to the cancellation of a lifetime capital gains exemption that resulted in increased capital gains taxation for some individuals. The unique setting allows us to distinguish between short-term avoidance responses and permanent responses to capital gains taxes. We show that the exemption did not change the number of taxpayers reporting positive capital gains, and thus unlikely resulted in increased participation in capital markets. However, the exemption cancellation slightly increased capital gains realizations of the existing traders.

Keywords: capital gains tax, real responses, avoidance, re-timing

JEL Classification: H24, H31, G51

Suggested Citation

Lavecchia, Adam and Tazhitdinova, Alisa, Permanent and Transitory Responses to Capital Gains Taxes: Evidence from a Lifetime Exemption in Canada (February 22, 2021). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3791012 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3791012

Adam Lavecchia (Contact Author)

McMaster University ( email )

1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M4
Canada
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IZA Institute of Labor Economics ( email )

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

Alisa Tazhitdinova

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) ( email )

South Hall 5504
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
United States

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