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Comparison of the Tax System Progressivity Over Time: Theory and Application with Mexican Data

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  • Abdelkrim Araar
  • Luis Huesca

Abstract

Assessing the progressivity of a fiscal system is relevant to develop a global idea on the extent of redistribution. In this paper we assess the evolution of progressivity over time and how economic shocks and government fiscal policy affects its design. The social performance of fiscal redistributive mechanisms in Mexico has been receiving a growing interest from politicians and researchers. The aim of this paper is to assess the dynamics of progressivity of the fiscal system in Mexico and its effect on inequality and on polarization, and this during the period of 2002-2012. What distinguishes this work is the relevance of the adopted comparison approach of progressivity and where the common support of comparison is imposed. The results of this study confirm the effectiveness of the governmental redistributive mechanisms to decrease after-tax income inequality. Based on our estimates, we find a significant increase in the progressivity of the fiscal system over time, despite the high persistent levels of polarization and inequality in the country. Finally, we find that imposing the common support of comparison has a non-negligible impact on the level of progressivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdelkrim Araar & Luis Huesca, 2014. "Comparison of the Tax System Progressivity Over Time: Theory and Application with Mexican Data," Cahiers de recherche 1419, CIRPEE.
    • Handle: RePEc:lvl:lacicr:1419
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fiscal Policy; Progressivity; Inequality; Polarization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E62 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Macroeconomic Policy, Macroeconomic Aspects of Public Finance, and General Outlook - - - Fiscal Policy; Modern Monetary Theory
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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