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The Elasticity of Taxable Income in The Presence of Intertemporal Income Shifting

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  • Aspen Gorry
  • Glenn Hubbard
  • Aparna Mathur

Abstract

This paper analyzes how traditional estimates of the elasticity of taxable income among top executives are influenced by the possibility of income deferral. We study the intertemporal shifting of executive compensation in response to changes in personal, corporate, and capital gains tax rates over the period 1992–2005. We separate the elasticity of taxable income into real and income-shifting responses. Most of the elasticity is due to an income-shifting (rather than a real) response. Understanding income shifting provides insight into the revenue and welfare implications of tax policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Aspen Gorry & Glenn Hubbard & Aparna Mathur, 2021. "The Elasticity of Taxable Income in The Presence of Intertemporal Income Shifting," National Tax Journal, University of Chicago Press, vol. 74(1), pages 45-73.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:nattax:doi:10.1086/712866
    DOI: 10.1086/712866
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    1. Raj Chetty, 2009. "Is the Taxable Income Elasticity Sufficient to Calculate Deadweight Loss? The Implications of Evasion and Avoidance," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 1(2), pages 31-52, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Helen Miller & Thomas Pope & Kate Smith, 2024. "Intertemporal Income Shifting and the Taxation of Business Owner-Managers," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 106(1), pages 184-201, January.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • J33 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Compensation Packages; Payment Methods

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