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Remittance Rules and the Distribution of Local Tax Revenue: Evidence after Wayfair

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  • David R. Agrawal
  • Iuliia Shybalkina

Abstract

Requiring firms, rather than individuals, to remit sales taxes improves tax compliance. In the United States, this shift toward firm-based remittance rules for remote purchases occurred gradually after South Dakota v. Wayfair. Using comprehensive and high-frequency local sales tax revenue data, we show that due to the increased compliance after Wayfair, revenues increased in the average locality by 5.4 percent and subsequently increased 5.1 percent after states required platforms to pay taxes on behalf of marketplace vendors. Critically, these effects are mainly a result of substantial increases in small towns and counties, with much smaller effects in larger jurisdictions. Increases in tax compliance thus influence both the level of tax revenues and its distribution across places.

Suggested Citation

  • David R. Agrawal & Iuliia Shybalkina, 2024. "Remittance Rules and the Distribution of Local Tax Revenue: Evidence after Wayfair," National Tax Journal, University of Chicago Press, vol. 77(4), pages 813-831.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:nattax:doi:10.1086/732629
    DOI: 10.1086/732629
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce
    • R51 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Finance in Urban and Rural Economies

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