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Specific Taxes, Product Quality, and Rate-Revenue Analysis

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  • Cecil E. Bohanon
  • T. Norman Van Cott

Abstract

The effect that specific taxes have on product quality has been a question of interest to economists over the last few years. The problem arises because while goods and services are multidimensional in terms of utility generating characteristics, specific taxes are almost always levied on just one of the characteristics. The effect of quality adjustment on tax revenue has not yet been examined in any detail. Quality adjustment is no doubt a change that occurs over a longer-run time frame. Heretofore, the only attempts at adding a temporal dimension to rate-revenue analysis distinguish between the short run and long run in terms of supply and demand elasticities. In the previous analysis the tax rate at which revenue is maximized and the tax rate at which revenue reaches zero are both lower in the long run. What makes the analysis presented here interesting is that when product quality accounts for the intertemporal distinction, the revenue maximizing tax rate and the tax rate that yields zero revenue are both higher in the long run.

Suggested Citation

  • Cecil E. Bohanon & T. Norman Van Cott, 1984. "Specific Taxes, Product Quality, and Rate-Revenue Analysis," Public Finance Review, , vol. 12(4), pages 500-511, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:12:y:1984:i:4:p:500-511
    DOI: 10.1177/109114218401200407
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Formby, John P & Layson, Stephen & Smith, W James, 1982. "The Law of Demand, Positive Sloping Marginal Revenue, and Multiple Profit Equilibria," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 20(2), pages 303-311, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Blum, Bianca, 2018. "Ausgestaltung einer Steuerpolitik zur Förderung von LED-Beleuchtung," The Constitutional Economics Network Working Papers 01-2018, University of Freiburg, Department of Economic Policy and Constitutional Economic Theory.
    2. Sophia Delipalla & Owen O'Donnell, 1998. "The Comparison Between Ad Valorem and Specific Taxation under Imperfect Competition: Evidence from the European Cigarette Industry," Studies in Economics 9802, School of Economics, University of Kent.
    3. John Kay & Michael Keen, 1991. "Product Quality Under Specific and Ad Valorem Taxation," Public Finance Review, , vol. 19(2), pages 238-247, April.
    4. Michael Keen, 1998. "The balance between specific and ad valorem taxation," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 19(1), pages 1-37, February.
    5. Cecil E. Bohanon & T. Norman Van Cott, 1991. "Product Quality and Taxation: a Reconciliation," Public Finance Review, , vol. 19(2), pages 233-237, April.
    6. Roy Bahl & Richard Bird & Mary Beth Walker, 2003. "The Uneasy Case Against Discriminatory Excise Taxation: Soft Drink Taxes in Ireland," Public Finance Review, , vol. 31(5), pages 510-533, September.
    7. Marko Primorac & Silvija Vlah Jeric, 2017. "The Structure of Cigarette Excises in the EU: From Myths to Reality," CESifo Working Paper Series 6386, CESifo.

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