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Welfare Effects of Income Taxation in a Model of Stochastic Growth

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  • Clemens, Christiane
  • Soretz, Susanne

Abstract

This paper analyzes growth and welfare effects of income taxation in a stochastic endogenous growth model with externalities in human-capital accumulation. The government participates in individual income risks by the collection of a flat-rate income tax that affects the mean and the variance of after-tax income. We examine the implications of a tax-transfer policy for the macroeconomic equilibrium of the economy. An increase in the tax rate on mean income has an unambiguously negative effect on the expected growth rate. Paradoxically, this may induce welfare gains. The opposite results can be derived for a rise in the tax rate on transitory income. These counter-intuitive results of the stochastic Arrow-Romer model can be ascribed to the specific int eraction of consumption and portfolio choice in the determination of growth and welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Clemens, Christiane & Soretz, Susanne, 1997. "Welfare Effects of Income Taxation in a Model of Stochastic Growth," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-210, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    • Handle: RePEc:han:dpaper:dp-210
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Susanne Soretz, 2003. "Stochastic Pollution and Environmental Care in an Endogenous Growth Model," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 71(4), pages 448-469, July.
    2. Christiane Clemens, 2009. "Stochastic Growth and Factor Income Risk," German Economic Review, Verein für Socialpolitik, vol. 10(4), pages 422-447, November.
    3. Susanne Soretz, 2007. "Efficient Dynamic Pollution Taxation in an Uncertain Environment," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 36(1), pages 57-84, January.
    4. repec:bla:germec:v:10:y:2009:i::p:422-447 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Clemens, Christiane & Soretz, Susanne, 2004. "Optimal fiscal policy, uncertainty, and growth," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 679-697, December.
    6. Christiane Clemens, 2000. "The Impact Of Capital And Income Risk On Long-Run Growth," Computing in Economics and Finance 2000 212, Society for Computational Economics.
    7. Ingrid Ott & Susanne Soretz, 2004. "Growth and Welfare Effects of Tax Cuts: The Case of a Productive Public Input with Technological Risk," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 31(2), pages 117-135, June.
    8. Clemens, Christiane & Soretz, Susanne, 1999. "Konsequenzen des Zins- und Einkommensrisikos auf das wirtschaftliche Wachstum," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-221, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    9. Clemens, Christiane, 1999. "Income Taxation, Government Expenditure, and Long-Run Stochastic Growth," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-220, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    10. Ingrid Ott & Susanne Soretz, 2002. "Fiscal Policy in a Stochastic Model of Endogenous Growth with Congestion," Computing in Economics and Finance 2002 162, Society for Computational Economics.
    11. Ott, Ingrid & Soretz, Susanne, 2002. "Optimal Taxation in a Stochastic Endogenous Growth Model with Congestion," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-253, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.
    12. Clemens, Christiane, 2004. "Growth and Labor Income Risk with Inelastic and Elastic Labor Supply," Hannover Economic Papers (HEP) dp-305, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    endogenoues growth; taxation; uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • D9 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics
    • E6 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook
    • G1 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets
    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity

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