THE EQUAL ABSOLUTE SACRIFICE PRINCIPLE REVISITED

Peter J. Lambert and Helen Naughton

Journal of Economic Surveys, 2009, vol. 23, issue 2, 328-349

Abstract: Abstract We summarize the literature on equal absolute sacrifice income taxes, and make some extensions. We adapt the utilitarian equal sacrifice criterion to a wide class of rank‐dependent social welfare functions, and find that liabilities depend on both income and position in the distribution. We investigate whether such taxes need be progressive, using a combination of analytics and simulation, and in the process uncover tax functions not previously recognized as equating sacrifices. Finally, out of horizontal equity considerations a new concept of ‘the equal treatment of equals’ by an income tax emerges, with implications for future work whose significance is discussed.

Date: 2009
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https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6419.2008.00564.x

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bla:jecsur:v:23:y:2009:i:2:p:328-349

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