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The Comparison Between Ad Valorem and Specific Taxation under Imperfect Competition: Evidence from the European Cigarette Industry

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  • Sophia Delipalla
  • Owen O'Donnell

Abstract

Recent theoretical work has shown that the incidence of ad valorem and specific taxes may differ and each may be over or under-shifted onto consumers in the presence of imperfect competition. Empirical comparison of the price effects of the two taxes is limited. There are no previous estimates of these effects derived from data displaying reasonable variation in both types of taxes. We fill this gap by estimating the impact on prices of specific and ad valorem taxes levied on cigarettes in Europe. The results are consistent with the theory. There is evidence of under and over-shifting and the specific tax has a significantly greater effect on price than the ad valorem.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophia Delipalla & Owen O'Donnell, 1998. "The Comparison Between Ad Valorem and Specific Taxation under Imperfect Competition: Evidence from the European Cigarette Industry," Studies in Economics 9802, School of Economics, University of Kent.
    • Handle: RePEc:ukc:ukcedp:9802
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    Cited by:

    1. Jeremy Bulow & Paul Klemperer, 1998. "The Tobacco Deal," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 29(1998 Micr), pages 323-394.
    2. Anderson, Simon P. & de Palma, Andre & Kreider, Brent, 2001. "Tax incidence in differentiated product oligopoly," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(2), pages 173-192, August.
    3. George Obeng, 2018. "Value Added Tax and Vat Flat Rate Scheme in Ghana, Any Cascading Implications," Asian Development Policy Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 6(4), pages 213-225, December.
    4. Devereux, Michael P. & Lanot, Gauthier, 2003. "Measuring tax incidence: an application to mortgage provision in the UK," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(7-8), pages 1747-1778, August.
    5. George Obeng, 2018. "Incidence of Value Added Tax, Effects and Implications," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(10), pages 1-52, October.
    6. Marko Primorac & Silvija Vlah Jeric, 2017. "The Structure of Cigarette Excises in the EU: From Myths to Reality," CESifo Working Paper Series 6386, CESifo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Commodity Taxation; Oligopoly; Cigarettes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H22 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Incidence
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets
    • L66 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing - - - Food; Beverages; Cosmetics; Tobacco

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