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The consequences of the value-added tax on inequality

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  • Kaisa Alavuotunki
  • Jukka Pirttilä

Abstract

The adoption of the value-added tax has arguably been one of the most important tax policy measures worldwide, but is also one of the most heatedly debated. While some argue that the VAT has served as a useful tool to boost government revenue, others claim that it is also a regressive tax, contributing to increased inequality within the developing world. Using newly released high-quality macro data, this paper offers updated estimates of the revenue impacts of the VAT and the first estimates on its consequences on inequality at the macro level.

Suggested Citation

  • Kaisa Alavuotunki & Jukka Pirttilä, 2015. "The consequences of the value-added tax on inequality," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2015-111, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2015-111
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    Cited by:

    1. Wian Boonzaaier & Jarkko Harju & Tuomas Matikka & Jukka Pirttilä, 2019. "How do small firms respond to tax schedule discontinuities? Evidence from South African tax registers," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 26(5), pages 1104-1136, October.
    2. Hakki HakanYilmaz & Mehmet Ali Ozyer & Serap Inci Ozyer, 2019. "Redistribution Effects of Taxes on Expenditure: The Case of Turkey (2002-2013)," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 230(3), pages 11-40, September.
    3. Suhrab Khan & Ihtsham ul Haq Padda, 2021. "The Impact of Fiscal Policy on Income Inequality: A Case Study of Pakistan," Lahore Journal of Economics, Department of Economics, The Lahore School of Economics, vol. 26(1), pages 57-84, Jan-June.
    4. Alex Ufier, 2017. "The effect of VATs on government balance sheets," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 24(6), pages 1141-1173, December.
    5. Wian Boonzaaier & Jarkko Harju & Tuomas Matikka & Jukka Pirttilä, 2019. "How do small firms respond to tax schedule discontinuities? Evidence from South African tax registers," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 26(5), pages 1104-1136, October.
    6. John Obiora Anyaduba & Praise Oghenefejiro Otulugbu, 2019. "Taxation and Income Inequality in Nigeria," Accounting and Finance Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 8(3), pages 118-118, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic development; Equality and inequality; Taxation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • O23 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Fiscal and Monetary Policy in Development

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