Effects of flat tax reforms in Western Europe on equity and efficiency

Alari Paulus and Andreas Peichl

No 2008-06, ISER Working Paper Series from Institute for Social and Economic Research

Abstract: The flat income tax has become increasingly popular recently, yet its implementation is limited to Eastern Europe. We analyse the distributional and efficiency e¤ects of flat tax scenarios for Western European countries. Our simulations show that flat tax rates required to attain revenue neutrality with existing basic allowances improve labour supply incentives. However, they result in higher inequality and polarisation. Flat rates necessary to keep the inequality levels unchanged allow for some scope for flat taxes to increase both equity and efficiency. Our analysis suggests that Mediterranean countries are more likely to benefit from flat taxes.

Date: 2008-03-13
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-acc, nep-cmp, nep-eec, nep-pbe and nep-pub
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Related works:
Working Paper: Effects of Flat Tax Reforms in Western Europe on Equity and Efficiency (2008)
Working Paper: Effects of flat tax reforms in Western Europe on equity and efficiency (2008)
Working Paper: Effects of flat tax reforms in Western Europe on equity and efficiency (2008)
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