Fiscal consolidation in a currency union: spending cuts vs. tax hikes

Christopher Erceg and Jesper Lindé

No 1063, International Finance Discussion Papers from Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.)

Abstract: This paper uses a two country DSGE model to examine the effects of tax-based versus expenditure-based fiscal consolidation in a currency union. We find three key results. First, given limited scope for monetary accommodation, tax-based consolidation tends to have smaller adverse effects on output than expenditure-based consolidation in the near-term, though is more costly in the longer-run. Second, a large expenditure-based consolidation may be counterproductive in the near-term if the zero lower bound is binding, reflecting that output losses rise at the margin. Third, a \"mixed strategy\" that combines a sharp but temporary rise in taxes with gradual spending cuts may be desirable in minimizing the output costs of fiscal consolidation.

Date: 2012
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dge and nep-pbe
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Related works:
Journal Article: Fiscal consolidation in a currency union: Spending cuts vs. tax hikes (2013)
Working Paper: Fiscal Consolidation in a Currency Union: Spending Cuts vs. Tax Hikes (2012)
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