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

Andreas Peichl and Alari Paulus

No 08-4, FiFo Discussion Papers - Finanzwissenschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge from University of Cologne, FiFo Institute for Public Economics

Abstract: The flat income tax has become increasingly popular recently, yet its implementation is limited to Eastern Europe. We analyse the distributional and e? ciency effects 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 e? ciency. Our analysis suggests that Mediterranean countries are more likely to benefit from flat taxes.

Keywords: Flat tax reform; income distribution; work incentives; microsimulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C81 D31 H24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Effects of Flat Tax Reforms in Western Europe on Equity and Efficiency (2008) Downloads
Working Paper: Effects of flat tax reforms in Western Europe on equity and efficiency (2008) Downloads
Working Paper: Effects of flat tax reforms in Western Europe on equity and efficiency (2008) Downloads
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