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Are Jamaica’s Direct Taxes on Labor “Fair†?

Author

Listed:
  • James Alm

    (Georgia State University, Atlanta)

  • Sally Wallace

    (Georgia State University, Atlanta)

Abstract

The Government of Jamaica imposes a variety of taxes on the earnings of labor. Jamaica’s direct taxes and charges on labor income include the pay-asyou-earn (PAYE) income tax and five payroll taxes. In total, these taxes generate nearly one-third of the total tax revenues of the government in fiscal year 2002-2003, with the PAYE itself responsible for more than one-fifth of total revenues. This article uses unique micro-level data to analyze the vertical and, especially, the horizontal equity of these taxes. The authors find that the taxes are generally progressive in their overall pattern of incidence but that they also introduce significant horizontal inequities due to their uneven coverage and their many special provisions.

Suggested Citation

  • James Alm & Sally Wallace, 2007. "Are Jamaica’s Direct Taxes on Labor “Fair†?," Public Finance Review, , vol. 35(1), pages 83-102, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:35:y:2007:i:1:p:83-102
    DOI: 10.1177/1091142106293443
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. James Alm & Sally Wallace, 2004. "Payroll Taxes and Contributions," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper0431, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
    2. Kaplow, Louis, 1989. "Horizontal Equity: Measures in Search of a Principle," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association, vol. 42(2), pages 139-54, June.
    3. Musgrave, Richard A., 1990. "Horizontal Equity, Once More," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association, vol. 43(2), pages 113-22, June.
    4. Alan J. Auerbach & Kevin A. Hassett, 2002. "A New Measure of Horizontal Equity," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(4), pages 1116-1125, September.
    5. Bird, Richard M & Miller, Barbara Diane, 1989. "The Incidence of Indirect Taxes on Low-Income Households in Jamaica," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 37(2), pages 393-409, January.
    6. Gruber, Jonathan, 1997. "The Incidence of Payroll Taxation: Evidence from Chile," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 15(3), pages 72-101, July.
    7. Louis Kaplow, 2000. "Horizontal Equity: New Measures, Unclear Principles," NBER Working Papers 7649, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    8. Angrist, Joshua D, 1996. "Short-Run Demand for Palestinian Labor," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 14(3), pages 425-453, July.
    9. Kaplow, Louis, 1989. "Horizontal Equity: Measures in Search of a Principle," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 42(2), pages 139-154, June.
    10. Sally Wallace & James Alm, 2004. "The Jamaican Individual Income Tax," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper0430, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
    11. Musgrave, Richard A., 1990. "Horizontal Equity, Once More," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 43(2), pages 113-122, June.
    12. Alm, James & Bahl, Roy & Murray, Matthew N, 1991. "Tax Base Erosion in Developing Countries," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 39(4), pages 849-872, July.
    13. Dillon Alleyne & James Alm & Roy Bahl & Sally Wallace, 2004. "Tax Burden in Jamaica," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper0434, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.
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    Cited by:

    1. James Alm & Keith Finlay, 2013. "Who Benefits from Tax Evasion?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(2), pages 139-154, September.
    2. James Alm, 2014. "Tax evasion, labor market effects, and income distribution," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 1-91, October.
    3. James Alm, 2017. "Is Economics Useful for Public Policy?," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 83(4), pages 835-854, April.
    4. Roy Bahl & Sally Wallace, 2007. "Comprehensive Tax Reform in Jamaica," Public Finance Review, , vol. 35(1), pages 4-25, January.
    5. James Alm & Matthias Kasper, 2020. "Tax evasion, market adjustments, and income distribution," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 1-91, February.
    6. James Alm, 2017. "Is Economics Useful for Public Policy?," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 83(4), pages 835-854, April.

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