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Tax Minimization by French Cohabiting Couples

Author

Listed:
  • Olivier Bargain

    (GREThA - Groupe de Recherche en Economie Théorique et Appliquée - UB - Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Damien Echevin

    (UdeS - Université de Sherbrooke)

  • Audrey Etienne

    (LERN - Laboratoire d'Economie Rouen Normandie - UNIROUEN - Université de Rouen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université - IRIHS - Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire Homme et Société - UNIROUEN - Université de Rouen Normandie - NU - Normandie Université)

  • Nicolas Moreau

    (CEMOI - Centre d'Économie et de Management de l'Océan Indien - UR - Université de La Réunion)

  • Adrien Pacifico

    (AMSE - Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - ECM - École Centrale de Marseille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This paper examines the tax returns of French cohabiting couples with children. These couples form two separate tax units and must optimally assign their children to the tax unit of one of the parents to optimize tax rebates. We find that children are allocated in a way that minimizes tax liability in 75 percent of cohabiting households. The 25 percent of households that fail to minimize their liability appear to use heuristics, are influenced by inertia, and possibly fail to fully cooperate as suboptimal couples tend to separate more and marry less in the subsequent period.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Olivier Bargain & Damien Echevin & Audrey Etienne & Nicolas Moreau & Adrien Pacifico, 2022. "Tax Minimization by French Cohabiting Couples," Post-Print hal-04817651, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04817651
    DOI: 10.1086/719427
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. André Palma & Nathalie Picard & Anthony Ziegelmeyer, 2011. "Individual and couple decision behavior under risk: evidence on the dynamics of power balance," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 70(1), pages 45-64, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicolas Moreau, 2023. "The zero effect of income tax on the timing of birth: some evidence on French data," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 30(3), pages 757-783, June.

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