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Optimal Income Taxation with a Stationarity Constraint in a Dynamic Stochastic Economy

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  • Berliant, Marcus
  • Fujishima, Shota

Abstract

We consider the optimal nonlinear income taxation problem in a dynamic, stochastic environment when the government cannot change the tax rule as uncertainty resolves. Due to such a stationarity constraint, our taxation problem is reduced to a static one over an expanded type space. We strengthen the argument in the static model that the zero top marginal tax rate result is of little practical importance because it is actually relevant only when the top earner in the initial period receives the highest shock in every subsequent period. Under a general stochastic structure such that the support of types moves over time, all people’s allocations are almost surely distorted in any period.

Suggested Citation

  • Berliant, Marcus & Fujishima, Shota, 2015. "Optimal Income Taxation with a Stationarity Constraint in a Dynamic Stochastic Economy," MPRA Paper 61685, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:61685
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Berliant, M. & Page, F.H., 2001. "Income Taxes and Provision of Public Goods: Optima with Balanced Goverment Budgets," Papiers d'Economie Mathématique et Applications 2001.37, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1).
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    1. Takao Kataoka & Yoshihiro Takamatsu, 2024. "Optimal labor income taxation and asset distribution in an economy with no insurance market and extensive labor supply responses," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 31(6), pages 1611-1639, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Optimal income taxation; New dynamic public finance;

    JEL classification:

    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation

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