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Tax rate cuts and tax compliance – the Laffer curve revisited

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  • Papp, Tamás K.
  • Takáts, Előd

Abstract

The paper shows how tax rate cuts can increase revenues by improving tax compliance. The intuition is that tax evasion has externalities: tax evaders protect each other, because they tie down limited enforcement capacity. Thus, relatively small tax rate cuts, which decrease incentives to evade taxes, can lead to increased revenues through spillovers – creating Laffer effects. Interestingly, cutting de facto tax rates imply increasing de facto or effective tax rates. The model is consistent with the consequences of Russian tax reform, and may provide basis for further thinking about tax rate cuts in other countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Papp, Tamás K. & Takáts, Előd, 2024. "Tax rate cuts and tax compliance – the Laffer curve revisited," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 126682, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:126682
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    Cited by:

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    2. Tandon, Suranjali & Rao, R. Kavita, 2017. "Tax Compliance in India: An Experimental Approach," Working Papers 17/207, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.
    3. Boștină Florin, 2017. "A VAR Analysis Regarding Tax Evasion and Tax Pressure in Romania," Ovidius University Annals, Economic Sciences Series, Ovidius University of Constantza, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 0(2), pages 505-509, December.
    4. Rajat Deb & Tapash Paul & Jaharlal Debbarma & Kiran Sankar Chakraborty, 2020. "Breaking the Stigma of Health Insurance," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 45(1), pages 54-84, February.
    5. Jiao Li & Duccio Gamannossi Degl'Innocenti & Matthew D. Rablen, 2021. "Marketed Tax Avoidance Schemes: An Economic Analysis," CESifo Working Paper Series 9421, CESifo.
    6. Gamannossi degl’Innocenti, Duccio & Levaggi, Rosella & Menoncin, Francesco, 2022. "Tax avoidance and evasion in a dynamic setting," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 443-456.
    7. Stanisław Cichocki & Ryszard Kokoszczyński, 2016. "The evolution of the Laffer curve as a framework for studying tax evasion: from simple theoretical to DSGE models," Ekonomia journal, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw, vol. 45.
    8. Cintra, Marcos, 2009. "Bank transactions: pathway to the single tax ideal A modern tax technology;the Brazilian experience with a bank transactions tax (1993-2007)," MPRA Paper 16710, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Radu Claudia Florina & Dumiter Florin Cornel & Dudas Lavinia & Jimon Stefania Master, 2017. "Study On Budget Revenue Collection, Shadow Economy and Tax Losses Caused By It," Studia Universitatis „Vasile Goldis” Arad – Economics Series, Sciendo, vol. 27(2), pages 1-18, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Laffer curve; tax compliance; tax evasion;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance

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