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The Optimal Non-­Linear Income Tax

Author

Listed:
  • Momi Dahan

    (Bank of Israel)

  • Michel Strawczynski

    (Bank of Israel)

Abstract

The dominant model for income taxation in the public finance literature is the classical model of skills (Mirrlees, 1971). Until recently, an influential number of works using this model seemed to support declining marginal tax rates at high income levels. In this paper we use Diamond's (1996) methodology in order to explore the critical assumptions that lead to increasing or decreasing marginal tax rates. We find that with a lognomal distribution of skills and zero income effects there is a case for increasing marginal tax rates at high income levels. By performing a Kernel estimation to Israeli data we find empirical support for the lognormal distribution of skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Momi Dahan & Michel Strawczynski, 1997. "The Optimal Non-­Linear Income Tax," Bank of Israel Working Papers 1997.02, Bank of Israel.
    • Handle: RePEc:boi:wpaper:1997.02
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    6. Sahota, Gian Singh, 1978. "Theories of Personal Income Distribution: A Survey," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 16(1), pages 1-55, March.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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