IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/iaecre/v25y2019i3d10.1007_s11294-019-09742-7.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

General Equilibrium Impacts of VAT and Corporate Income Tax in Thailand

Author

Listed:
  • Chonlakan Benjasak

    (Law and Politics, University of Hull)

  • Keshab Bhattarai

    (Law and Politics, University of Hull)

Abstract

In this paper, a computable general equilibrium model of Thailand is constructed in order to assess economy-wide impacts of reforms in the value added tax (VAT) and corporate income tax (CIT) on welfare and reallocation of resources across production sectors in the Thai economy. The model was calibrated to the micro-consistent benchmark data set contained in the Input-Output Table 2010 published by the Office of National Economics and Social Development Board with restructuring into 18 sectors. Findings reveal that aggregate net changes in welfare from a 10% VAT rate are better than from a 0% VAT. Thus, increasing VAT from 7 to 10% is a desirable policy action on the basis of economy-wide welfare analysis because utility generated from public services for the households more than compensates their loss in utility due to higher taxes. On a net welfare basis, decreasing the CIT rate from 30 to 20% is more preferable policy than reducing it to 23%. This model-based analysis is a unique contribution to the current literature on impacts of VAT and CIT in the Thai economy. Further scope remains for full impact analysis of comprehensive reforms such as the goods and services tax, with a dynamic model and many households.

Suggested Citation

  • Chonlakan Benjasak & Keshab Bhattarai, 2019. "General Equilibrium Impacts of VAT and Corporate Income Tax in Thailand," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 25(3), pages 263-276, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:iaecre:v:25:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11294-019-09742-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11294-019-09742-7
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11294-019-09742-7
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s11294-019-09742-7?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Amir, Hidayat & Asafu-Adjaye, John & Ducpham, Tien, 2013. "The impact of the Indonesian income tax reform: A CGE analysis," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 492-501.
    2. Semboja, Haji Hatibu Haji, 1994. "The effects of energy taxes on the Kenyan economy : A CGE analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 16(3), pages 205-215, July.
    3. Ruamsuke, Kawin & Dhakal, Shobhakar & Marpaung, Charles O.P., 2015. "Energy and economic impacts of the global climate change policy on Southeast Asian countries: A general equilibrium analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 446-461.
    4. Keshab Bhattarai, 2017. "Welfare and Distributional Impacts of Financial Liberalization in an Open Economy: Lessons from a Multi-Sectoral Dynamic CGE Model for Nepal," International Business Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(1), pages 181-198, January.
    5. Bergman, Lars, 1990. "Energy and environmental constraints on growth: A CGE modeling approach," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 671-691.
    6. Richard Blundell, 2009. "Assessing the Temporary VAT Cut Policy in the UK," Fiscal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(1), pages 31-38, March.
    7. Sujjapongse, Somchai, 2005. "Tax policy and reform in Asian countries: Thailand's perspective," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 1012-1028, December.
    8. Jens Matthias Arnold & Bert Brys & Christopher Heady & Åsa Johansson & Cyrille Schwellnus & Laura Vartia, 2011. "Tax Policy for Economic Recovery and Growth," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 121(550), pages 59-80, February.
    9. Ray Barrell & Martin Weale, 2009. "The Economics of a Reduction in VAT," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 30(1), pages 17-30, March.
    10. Keshab Bhattarai, 2016. "Growth and Income Distributions in Four EU Economies," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 22(3), pages 263-277, August.
    11. Field, Alfred J. & Wongwatanasin, Umaporn, 2007. "Tax policies' impact on output, trade and income in Thailand," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 29(3), pages 361-380.
    12. Lee, Young & Gordon, Roger H., 2005. "Tax structure and economic growth," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(5-6), pages 1027-1043, June.
    13. Wianwiwat, Suthin & Asafu-Adjaye, John, 2013. "Is there a role for biofuels in promoting energy self sufficiency and security? A CGE analysis of biofuel policy in Thailand," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 543-555.
    14. repec:idq:ictduk:10253 is not listed on IDEAS
    15. Ray Barrell & Martin Weale, 2009. "The Economics of a Reduction in VAT," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 30(1), pages 17-30, March.
    16. Keshab Bhattarai, 2007. "Input–Output and General Equilibrium Models for Hull and Humber Region in England," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 35(4), pages 473-490, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Benjasak, Chonlakan & Bhattarai, Keshab, 2017. "General Equilibrium Impacts VAT and Corporate Tax in Thailand," MPRA Paper 88816, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 01 Jul 2018.
    2. Irfan Ahmed & Claudio Socci & Francesca Severini & Rosita Pretaroli, 2019. "Fiscal policy for households and public budget constraint in Italy," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 36(1), pages 19-35, April.
    3. Karol Jan Borowiecki & Trilce Navarrete, 2018. "Fiscal and economic aspects of book consumption in the European Union," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 42(2), pages 309-339, May.
    4. Jens Matthias Arnold & Bert Brys & Christopher Heady & Åsa Johansson & Cyrille Schwellnus & Laura Vartia, 2011. "Tax Policy for Economic Recovery and Growth," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 121(550), pages 59-80, February.
    5. Björn Falkenhall & Jonas Månsson & Sofia Tano, 2020. "Impact of VAT Reform on Swedish Restaurants: A Synthetic Control Group Approach," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 122(2), pages 824-850, April.
    6. Thomas Crossley & Hamish Low & Cath Sleeman, 2014. "Using a temporary indirect tax cut as a fiscal stimulus: evidence from the UK," IFS Working Papers W14/16, Institute for Fiscal Studies.
    7. Vesal, Mohammad, 2017. "Stimulus Effect of a Value-added Tax Cut: Evidence from the UK Tax Returns Data," MPRA Paper 101016, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Kettner, Claudia & Leoni, Thomas & Köberl, Judith & Kortschak, Dominik & Kirchner, Mathias & Sommer, Mark & Wallenko, Laura & Bachner, Gabriel & Mayer, Jakob & Spittler, Nathalie & Kulmer, Veronika, 2024. "Modelling the economy-wide effects of unilateral CO2 pricing under different revenue recycling schemes in Austria – Searching for a triple dividend," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    9. Nadia Belhaj Hassine-Belghith, 2007. "Exporting , Productive Efficiency and Product Quality: An Empirical Analysis Of the Agricultural Sector in the Mediterranean Countries," Working Papers 711, Economic Research Forum, revised 01 Jan 2007.
    10. Tereza Šinkyříková & Jana Soukopová, 2012. "Impact of standard rate of VAT on tax mix in EU 27," Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, Mendel University Press, vol. 60(7), pages 369-378.
    11. Jing Xing, 2011. "Does tax structure affect economic growth? Empirical evidence from OECD countries," Working Papers 1120, Oxford University Centre for Business Taxation.
    12. Alfò, Marco & Carbonari, Lorenzo & Trovato, Giovanni, 2023. "On the effects of taxation on growth: an empirical assessment," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 27(5), pages 1289-1318, July.
    13. Sanz Labrador, Ismael & Sanz-Sanz, José Félix, 2013. "Política fiscal y crecimiento económico: consideraciones microeconómicas y relaciones macroeconómicas," Macroeconomía del Desarrollo 5367, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    14. Gechert, Sebastian & Heimberger, Philipp, 2022. "Do corporate tax cuts boost economic growth?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    15. Norman Gemmell & Richard Kneller & Ismael Sanz, 2014. "The growth effects of tax rates in the OECD," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 47(4), pages 1217-1255, November.
    16. NANTOB, N'Yilimon, 2014. "Taxation and Economic Growth : An Empirical Analysis on Dynamic Panel Data of WAEMU Countries," MPRA Paper 61370, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 30 Jan 2015.
    17. Andrejovská Alena & Mihóková Lucia & Martinková Slavomíra, 2017. "Meta-analysis categorization of EU countries in the context of corporate income tax," Contaduría y Administración, Accounting and Management, vol. 62(3), pages 1001-1018, Julio-Sep.
    18. Bastianin, Andrea & Castelnovo, Paolo & Florio, Massimo, 2018. "Evaluating regulatory reform of network industries: a survey of empirical models based on categorical proxies," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 115-128.
    19. Santiago Acosta-Ormaechea & Atsuyoshi Morozumi, 2021. "The value-added tax and growth: design matters," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 28(5), pages 1211-1241, October.
    20. Durusu-Ciftci, Dilek & Gokmenoglu, Korhan K. & Yetkiner, Hakan, 2018. "The heterogeneous impact of taxation on economic development: New insights from a panel cointegration approach," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 42(3), pages 503-513.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Tax policy; VAT; Corporate income tax; Thailand’s CGE model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:kap:iaecre:v:25:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s11294-019-09742-7. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.