Optimal Redistribution with a Shadow Economy

Rojas, Luis

Optimal Redistribution with a Shadow Economy

No ECO2016/11, Economics Working Papers from European University Institute

Abstract: We examine the constrained efficient allocations in the Mirrlees (1971) model with an informal sector. There are two labor markets: formal and informal. The planner observes only income from the formal market. We show that the shadow economy can be welfare improving through two channels. It can be used as a shelter against tax distortions, raising the efficiency of labor supply, and as a screening device, benefiting redistribution. We calibrate the model to Colombia, where 58% of workers are employed informally. The optimal share of shadow workers is close to 22% for the Rawlsian planner and less than 1% for the Utilitarian planner. The optimal tax schedule is very different then the one implied by the Mirrlees (1971) model without the informal sector.

Keywords: Shadow Economy; Informal Labor Market; Income Taxation; Redistribution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H21 H26 J46 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-iue and nep-pub
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Optimal redistribution with a shadow economy (2023)
Working Paper: Optimal Redistribution with a Shadow Economy (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eui:euiwps:eco2016/11

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