Abstract

AbstractRecent empirical evidence finds that progressive taxation is an effective economic stabilizer, but theoretical results disagree. This paper shows that a lifecycle model with total factor productivity shocks can match the empirical evidence. If the US economy switched from progressive to proportional taxation, output volatility would increase by 5 percent. Progressive taxes act as stabilizers by reducing income volatility among the young and soon‐to‐be retirees. Thus, incorporating a rich lifecycle structure in the model is important to match the data. The model is then used to study the welfare implications of reducing tax progressivity.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.