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Which Elasticity? Estimating the Responsiveness of Taxpayer Reporting Decisions

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  • James Alm
  • Sally Wallace

Abstract

In this paper we present estimates of the responses of individuals to marginal tax rates in their reporting of income, using data from individual tax returns for the year 1995. One estimation method is ordinary least squares regression. A second method uses quantile regression, which provides evidence on behavioral responses at different points (or quantiles) in the distribution of income and so is relevant to the question of whether the responses of, say, the rich differ from those at other points in the income distribution. Our results clearly indicate that marginal tax rates affect the reporting decisions of individuals. However, there are significant differences in the marginal tax rate reporting responses for the various types of reported income, there are major differences across income classes, and there are notable differences in the estimated responses across estimation methods. Copyright International Atlantic Economic Society 2007

Suggested Citation

  • James Alm & Sally Wallace, 2007. "Which Elasticity? Estimating the Responsiveness of Taxpayer Reporting Decisions," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 13(3), pages 255-267, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:iaecre:v:13:y:2007:i:3:p:255-267:10.1007/s11294-007-9096-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11294-007-9096-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    10. Feldstein, Martin, 1995. "The Effect of Marginal Tax Rates on Taxable Income: A Panel Study of the 1986 Tax Reform Act," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 103(3), pages 551-572, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eleni A. Kaditi & Elisavet I. Nitsi, 2013. "Recent Evidence on the Taxpayers’ Reporting Decision in Greece: A Quantile Regression Approach," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 3-24.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Tax price elasticity; Quantile regression; H20; H30;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H30 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - General

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