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Tax decentralization notwithstanding regional disparities

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  • Antonio Andrés Bellofatto
  • Martin Besfamille

Abstract

In assessing the desirability for tax decentralization reforms, a dilemma between efficiency and redistribution emerges. By limiting the ability of the central government to redistribute resources towards regions in financial needs, decentralization curbs incentives for excessive subnational spending and enhances fiscal discipline, but may also widen interregional disparities by triggering tax competition for mobile tax bases. We provide a formal treatment of this trade-off, and shed light on the optimal degree of fiscal decentralization. We find that tax decentralization can be optimal even under Rawlsian social preferences which only weight the welfare of the poorest region in the federation.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Andrés Bellofatto & Martin Besfamille, 2019. "Tax decentralization notwithstanding regional disparities," CESifo Working Paper Series 7607, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7607
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fiscal federalism; tax competition; regional disparities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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