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A loglinear tax and transfer function: majority voting and optimal rates

Author

Listed:
  • John Creedy

    (Victoria University of Wellington and Melbourne University)

  • Solmaz Moslehi

    (Monash University)

Abstract

This paper explores the use of a loglinear tax and transfer function, displaying increasing marginal and average tax rates along with a means-tested transfer payment. The two parameters are a break-even income threshold, where the average tax rate is zero, and a tax parameter equivalent to the marginal tax rate at the break-even income level. When combined with Cobb-Douglas utility, the resulting labour supply is fixed and independent of the individual’s wage rate. For an additive social welfare function involving the sum of logarithms of (indirect) utilities, a convenient expression is available for the optimal tax rate in a framework in which individuals differ only in the wage rate they face. It is shown that a unique optimal rate exists, which depends on the preference for consumption and the inequality of wage rates. This coincides with the majority voting equilibrium rate. As with the linear tax function, higher inequality is associated with choice of a higher tax rate.

Suggested Citation

  • John Creedy & Solmaz Moslehi, 2011. "A loglinear tax and transfer function: majority voting and optimal rates," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14.
    • Handle: RePEc:ozl:journl:v:14:y:2011:i:1:p:1-14
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Creedy, John & McDonald, Ian M, 1992. "Income Tax Changes and Trade Union Wage Demands," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(58), pages 47-57, June.
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    3. Roberts, Kevin W. S., 1977. "Voting over income tax schedules," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 8(3), pages 329-340, December.
    4. Creedy, John, 1979. "Income averaging and progressive taxation," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 387-397, December.
    5. Waterson, Michael, 1985. "On Progressive Taxation and Risk-taking," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 37(3), pages 510-519, September.
    6. Hersoug, Tor, 1984. "Union Wage Responses to Tax Changes," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 36(1), pages 37-51, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Welfare and Poverty; Taxation and Subsidies; Fiscal Policies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household

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