Evaluating the Efficiency and Equity of Federal Fiscal Equalization

David Albouy

No 16144, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: In theory, federal transfers that make household location decisions efficient should ignore local cost differences, subsidize positive externalities, and offset differences in federal-tax payments and local taxes levied on non-residents, but not local tax revenues from residents. Transfers that redistribute resources equitably across regions will likely target areas with individuals of low earnings potential or low real incomes. Applying these criteria empirically, Canadian equalization policy appears neither efficient nor equitable, but exacerbates pre-existing inefficiencies and underfunds minorities. Locational inefficiencies cost Canada 0.41 percent of income annually and cause over-funded provinces to have populations 31 percent beyond their efficient long-run levels.

JEL-codes: H73 H77 J61 R13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-acc and nep-pbe
Note: PE
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

Published as Albouy, David, 2012. "Evaluating the efficiency and equity of federal fiscal equalization," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 96(9-10), pages 824-839.

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Journal Article: Evaluating the efficiency and equity of federal fiscal equalization (2012)
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