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Taxation incentives and deadweight loss in a system of intergovernmental transfers

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  • Michael Smart

Abstract

Intergovernmental transfer programs in many federal systems, including Canada, attempt to equalize differences in subnational jurisdictions' tax capacities on the basis of the so-called representative tax system (RTS). It is shown that RTS equalization grants effectively compensate local governments for a portion of the deadweight loss associated with taxes, and consequently the grants may tend to increase the distortionary tax rates chosen by local governments. This may be the case even when equalization is confined to tax bases which are themselves non-distortionary, such as the taxation of pure economic rents. These insights are then applied to a discussion of the design of an optimal revenue-sharing scheme for a federation, given the implementation constraints facing the central government.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Smart, 1996. "Taxation incentives and deadweight loss in a system of intergovernmental transfers," Working Papers msmart-96-03, University of Toronto, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:tor:tecipa:msmart-96-03
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sotiris Karkalakos & Christos Kotsogiannis, 2007. "A spatial analysis of provincial corporate income tax responses: evidence from Canada," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 40(3), pages 782-811, August.
    2. Santiago Lago Peñas, 2002. "Nivelación interterritorial e ineficiencia de las decisiones presupuestarias: reflexiones para el caso español," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 162(3), pages 79-100, ¨Septembe.
    3. Thierry Madiès & Sonia Paty & Yvon Rocaboy, 2005. "Externalités fiscales horizontales et verticales. Où en est la théorie du fédéralisme financier ?," Revue d'économie politique, Dalloz, vol. 115(1), pages 17-63.
    4. Stotsky, Janet G. & Chakraborty, Lekha & Gandhi, Piyush, 2018. "Impact of Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers on Gender Equality in India: An Empirical Analysis," Working Papers 18/240, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy.
    5. Khalida Ghaus & Muhammad Sabir, 2014. "Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers and Gender Sensitive Education Financing," Southern Voice Occasional Paper 13, Southern Voice.
    6. Ann Cavlovic & Harriet Jackson, "undated". "Bother thy neighbour? Intergovernmental Tax Interactions in the Canadian Federation," Working Papers-Department of Finance Canada 2003-09, Department of Finance Canada.
    7. Muhammad Sabir, 2010. "Financial Implications of the 7th NFC Award and the Impact on Social Services," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 49(4), pages 387-403.
    8. Muhammad Sabir, 2001. "Dynamic Consequences of the 1997 NFC Award: Provincial Social Sector Expenditures," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 40(4), pages 967-984.
    9. S. Bucovetsky, 1997. "Insurance and Incentive Effects of Transfers among Regions: Equity and Efficiency," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 4(4), pages 463-483, November.
    10. Alejandro Esteller-Moré & Albert Solé-Ollé, 2002. "Tax Setting in a Federal System: The Case of Personal Income Taxation in Canada," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 9(3), pages 235-257, May.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H2 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • H7 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations

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