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The Re-distributive Role of Child Benefits Revisited

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  • Tomer Blumkin
  • Yoram Margalioth
  • Efraim Sadka

Abstract

In this paper, we reexamine the commonly invoked argument that due to the existence of a negative correlation between earning ability and family size, the latter can be used as a “tagging” device, justifying subsidizing children (via provision of child allowances) to enhance egalitarian objectives. Employing a benchmark setting where the quality–quantity paradigm holds, we show that the case for subsidizing children is far from being a forgone conclusion. We demonstrate that the desirability of subsidizing children crucially hinges on whether benefits are means-tested or are offered on a universal basis. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Tomer Blumkin & Yoram Margalioth & Efraim Sadka, 2015. "The Re-distributive Role of Child Benefits Revisited," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 22(3), pages 476-501, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:itaxpf:v:22:y:2015:i:3:p:476-501
    DOI: 10.1007/s10797-014-9327-y
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    Cited by:

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    2. Alari Paulus, 2016. "The antipoverty performance of universal and means-tested benefits with costly take-up," ImPRovE Working Papers 16/12, Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy, University of Antwerp.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Child allowance; Re-distribution; Means-testing ; Universal; Tagging; Optimal taxation; D6; H2; H5;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D6 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics
    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H5 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies

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