Loss-averse tax manipulation and tax-preferred savings

Derek Messacar

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2023, vol. 207, issue C, 257-278

Abstract: Using administrative data from Canada linked to a financial capability survey, I show that tax-deductible savings plans are often used to manipulate final balances owed to the central tax authority during tax season. This finding implies a strong avoidance motive for saving, where tax filers manipulate final balances rather than total tax liabilities, consistent with loss-aversion. The magnitude of this effect is economically significant. For example, each $100 owed increases the likelihood of contributing by about half a percentage point. There is suggestive evidence that the behavior is driven by tax filers with low financial literacy who make disproportionately large contributions in the last 60 days before the annual deadline.

Keywords: Loss-aversion; Tax avoidance; Savings; Regression kink design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D14 D91 H26 H31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:207:y:2023:i:c:p:257-278

DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2023.01.014

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