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How much tax do the rich really pay? Evidence from the UK

Author

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  • Arun Advani
  • Helen Hughson
  • Andy Summers

Abstract

Using anonymized administrative data on the population of UK taxpayers, we show that—in line with high-profile anecdotes about the tax affairs of the rich—effective average tax rates (EATRs) decline at the top of the distribution of income and capital gains. We also document substantial variation in EATRs within remuneration level: a quarter of those in the top 1 per cent pay headline rates, while another quarter pay at least 9pp less than the headline rate. Most of this effect is driven by the composition of remuneration, with investment income having lower tax rates and capital gains having lower rates still. If all individuals with income above £100,000 paid the headline rates, this would raise tax revenue on income and gains by £23 billion on a static basis, an increase of 27 per cent in the tax paid by this group.

Suggested Citation

  • Arun Advani & Helen Hughson & Andy Summers, 2023. "How much tax do the rich really pay? Evidence from the UK," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 39(3), pages 406-437.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxford:v:39:y:2023:i:3:p:406-437.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oxrep/grad032
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Advani, Arun, 2021. "The taxation of capital gains : principles, practice, and directions for reform," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1379, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    2. Katarzyna Anna Bilicka, 2019. "Comparing UK Tax Returns of Foreign Multinationals to Matched Domestic Firms," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 109(8), pages 2921-2953, August.
    3. Adam, Stuart & Phillips, David & Roantree, Barra, 2019. "35 years of reforms: A panel analysis of the incidence of, and employee and employer responses to, social security contributions in the UK," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 29-50.
    4. Advani, Arun, 2021. "Missing Incomes in the UK : Evidence and Policy Implications," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1364, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    5. Arun Advani, 2021. "Policy Forum: The Taxation of Capital Gains—Principles, Practice, and Directions for Reform," Canadian Tax Journal, Canadian Tax Foundation, vol. 69(4), pages 1231-1250.
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    Cited by:

    1. Roberto Iacono & Bard Smedsvik, 2023. "Behavioral responses to wealth taxation: evidence from a Norwegian reform," World Inequality Lab Working Papers halshs-04423923, HAL.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    inequality; horizontal equity; effective tax rates; capital gains tax;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies

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