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Optimal Taxation of Risky Entrepreneurial Capital

Author

Listed:
  • Corina Boar

    (New York University)

  • Matthew Knowles

    (University of Cologne)

Abstract

We study optimal taxation in a model with endogenous financial frictions, risky investment and occupational choice, where the distribution of wealth across entrepreneurs affects how efficiently capital is used. The planner chooses linear taxes on wealth, capital and labor income to maximize the steady state utility of a newborn agent. Most agents in the model are poor, leading to a redistributive motive for taxation. Optimal tax rates can be written as a closed-form function of the size of the tax bases and their elasticities with respect to tax rates. We find that it is optimal to tax capital income because financial frictions reduce the elasticity of capital income with respect to taxes and because capital income taxes prevent excessive entry into entrepreneurship. Optimal wealth taxes are positive but close to zero, since they strongly discourage capital accumulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Corina Boar & Matthew Knowles, 2022. "Optimal Taxation of Risky Entrepreneurial Capital," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 166, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:166
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurship; Financial Frictions; Taxation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E2 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment
    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue

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