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Social norms and tax compliance: Experiments and theory

Author

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  • López Pérez, Raúl

    (Departamento de Análisis Económico (Teoría e Historia Económica). Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.)

  • Ramírez Zamudio, Aldo.

    (Center for Economics, Banking and Finance Studies, Department of Economics, Universidad de Lima.)

Abstract

We report data from an experiment in Peru where subjects anonymously decide how much of their endowment they donate to the Peruvian Government. The standard rational choice model and several well-known models of non-selfish preferences predict zero giving. Yet we observe that around 75% of the subjects give something (N = 164), with substantial heterogeneity. Our data is consistent with an account based on social norms: If compliance is not too costly, people comply with norms if (i) they perceive that such behavior sufficiently promotes social welfare and (ii) others are expected to respect norms as well (peer effects). Our paper contributes to a recent literature on tax morale emphasizing the importance of non-standard motivations on tax compliance and suggests that taxpayers are willing to give money to the government (e.g., paying taxes) if they believe that enough others give as well and that taxes are not wasted or ‘stolen’ by the government, but used to promote social welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • López Pérez, Raúl & Ramírez Zamudio, Aldo., 2018. "Social norms and tax compliance: Experiments and theory," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2018/02, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
    • Handle: RePEc:uam:wpaper:201802
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. López-Pérez, Raúl & Ramirez-Zamudio, Aldo, 2020. "An experimental test of two policies to increase donations to public projects," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    corruption; evasion; peer effects; social norms; tax compliance; tax morale;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • H3 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents

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