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Shadow Economy, Tax Evasion, and Transfer Fraud - Definition, Measurement, and Data Problems

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  • Hans-Georg Petersen
  • Ulrich Thiessen
  • Pierre Wohlleben

Abstract

The paper tries to shed some light on the definition of the shadow economy, in order to separate shadow activities from market activities and household production. A total income concept is applied, which is based on the labor force being engaged in market, shadow and household activities. Based on such a clear concept, tax evasion can be defined and identified in the market sector and is also usually taking place in the shadow economy, where it is often accompanied by evasion of social security contributions as well as transfer fraud. Money usage in the three sectors is then critically analyzed, and measurement as well as data problems are seriously taken into consideration. The results of our research project suggest that the size of the shadow economy as estimated with the currency approach often yields the highest possible values. Other approaches and plausibility considerations produce much lower values, which seem to be much more realistic. Consequently, policy considerations to strengthen the control mechanisms should be met with utmost skepticism.

Suggested Citation

  • Hans-Georg Petersen & Ulrich Thiessen & Pierre Wohlleben, 2010. "Shadow Economy, Tax Evasion, and Transfer Fraud - Definition, Measurement, and Data Problems," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(4), pages 421-441.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:intecj:v:24:y:2010:i:4:p:421-441
    DOI: 10.1080/10168737.2010.525973
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Friedrich Schneider (ed.), 2008. "The Economics of the Hidden Economy," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, volume 0, number 3074.
    2. Nancy D. Ruggles & Richard Ruggles, 1999. "National Accounting and Economic Policy," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 1673.
    3. Hans-Georg Petersen & M. Rose, 2003. "Zu einer Fundamentalreform der deutschen Einkommensteuer: Die Einfachsteuer des "Heidelberger Kreises"," Finanzwissenschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 34, Universität Potsdam, Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    4. Lkhagvadorj, Ariunaa, 2010. "Fiscal Federalism and Decentralization in Mongolia," MPRA Paper 28758, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Mar 2010.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Hans-Georg Petersen & Ulrich Thiessen, 2010. "Editors' Introduction: Shadow Economy in High Income Countries - Much Ado about Nothing?," International Economic Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(4), pages 413-419.
    2. Ligita Gasparėnienė & Rita Remeikienė & Colin C. Williams, 2022. "Unemployment and the Informal Economy," SpringerBriefs in Economics, Springer, number 978-3-030-96687-4, June.
    3. Mai Hassan & Friedrich Schneider, 2016. "Modelling the Egyptian Shadow Economy: A Currency Demand and A MIMIC Model Approach," CESifo Working Paper Series 5727, CESifo.
    4. Shamaila Butt & Faisal FAISAL & Muhammad Ali Chohan & Adnan Ali & Suresh Ramakrishnan, 2024. "Do Shadow Economy and Institutions Lessen the Environmental Pollution? Evidence from Panel of ASEAN-9 Economies," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(1), pages 4800-4828, March.
    5. Lompo, Miaba Louise & Ouoba, Marie Madeleine, 2022. "How they hide money? An investigation on tax evasion of large corporations and wealthy taxpayers," MPRA Paper 114235, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Lee A. Swanson & Vincent Bruni-Bossio, 2019. "A Righteous Undocumented Economy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 225-237, November.
    7. Carlos Bethencourt & Fernando Perera‐Tallo, 2020. "On the relationship between sectorial and institutional structural changes," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 71(3), pages 533-565, July.
    8. Mai HASSAN & Friedrich SCHNEIDER, 2016. "Modelling the Egyptian Shadow Economy: A MIMIC model and A Currency Demand approach," Journal of Economics and Political Economy, KSP Journals, vol. 3(2), pages 309-339, June.

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