The efficiency gains from site value taxes: the Tithe Commutation Act of 1836

The theoretical efficiency advantages of land site value taxation have been known since at least the writings of Adam Smith. However, the practical gains from switching land taxes to this basis have never, to our knowledge, been measured. The Tithe Commutation Act of 1836 in England switched taxation of large areas of farmland from a percentage of gross output to an equivalent lump sum tax on site values. We estimate the rent gains from this reform between 1842 and 1855 using data from 5108 English parishes. We show that converting the tithe to a lump sum raised rents, net of the tithe, by an average of £0.43 for every £1 of tithe collected. Some of these rent gains may have stemmed from increased investment by landlords in fixed capital rented with the land, so that we can only give a range for the possible excess burden of the tithe of 17-43%. Interestingly with a Cobb-Douglass production function the predicted excess burden would be 17%.     

Redistributive taxation in democracies: Evidence on people's satisfaction

Theories of political redistribution are tested using data collected in three phases of the International Social Survey Programme. Individuals categorized as having high, middle, or low incomes were asked whether they consider the overall tax burden in their countries too high, too low or about right. Very few citizens indicated that they were satisfied with tax systems; most believed that taxes on low and middle incomes are too high, while taxes on high incomes are too low. Support for tax systems is bimodal within the income classes, with the richest 5% being the most supportive, and the median in a population being second. Ideological values have a strong impact on political support for redistribution across all income classes. The results bear witness to the multidimensional nature of preferences for redistribution, and to the delicate question of the effectiveness of democracy in implementing citizens' preferences.     

IPO补税影响IPO抑价吗？——基于信息不对称理论视角

本文以1198家中国IPO公司为样本,首次从信息不对称理论视角探索了IPO补税对IPO抑价的影响及其理论解释。研究发现:(1)IPO补税对IPO抑价具有显著正向影响,在控制其他影响因素后,IPO补税公司比非补税公司的IPO抑价要高7.8%,这相当于平均少融资超过2000万元。(2)基于信号理论、“赢家诅咒”理论以及委托代理理论这三类信息不对称理论的检验表明,只有委托代理理论有助于部分解释IPO补税与IPO抑价的正相关关系——IPO补税公司抑价更高可能源于公司管理层对承销商具有更弱的监督动机,而非公司对承销商缺乏有效的报酬激励。进一步研究还发现,IPO补税对IPO抑价的正向影响在承销商声誉较低时以及信息更不透明(如中小板和创业板、税收征管强度较低地区)的环境中表现更为突出。     

Welfare gains from taxation in an open economy: Applied general equilibrium results

This paper uses a general equilibrium trade model with an endogenous labour supply to analyze the effects of changes in domestic taxes. When an open economy has some sectors with scale economies, domestic tax increases may increase social welfare by causing productivity gains which more than compensate for the deadweight welfare loss of taxation.     

取消农业税对新疆财政的影响及对策研究

从2005年起,新疆在逐步实施农业税改革的基础上正式实施取消全部农业税、牧业税和除烟叶外的农业特产税政策,这项政策的实施对减轻农民负担,提高农业竞争力等具有重要意义。但由于农业税在新疆财政中的比重较大,取消农业税将使基层政权财力不足问题更加突出。本文客观地分析了新疆财政状况,认为解决新疆财政面临的困难应寻求更多的中央转移支付,完善转移支付制度,提高新疆财政的自我造血能力。     

我国餐饮业税收存在的问题及解决对策

随着我国人民生活水平的提高,餐饮业发展迅速。由于餐饮业的原材料、产品具有多样化、易消耗等特殊性,给税收管理工作带来很大难度。本文分析了我国餐饮业税收存在的问题并提出解决对策。     

从国际比较视角看我国的分税制改革

本文从国际比较的角度对当前我国分税制的一些热点问题进行了探讨,认为:在地方一般预算收入中,本级收入占比重较低并不会影响地方财政支出,关键是要有一个科学合理的中央对地方的转移支付制度;我国是单一制国家,不可能给地方政府税收立法权,但可以让地方在中央立法的框架内有一定的选择权,此外还可以通过发展中央地方共享税的路径完善地方税体系;下一步完善分税制应适当调整中央与地方的分税办法,并进一步加大均衡性转移支付比重。     

How large are tax subsidies to motor-vehicle users in the US?

There has been considerable discussion about the extent to which motor-vehicle use in the US is “subsidized,” making petroleum-based motor vehicle use more attractive than other transportation modes. Estimates of these subsidies vary widely, and in many cases can be criticized on methodological grounds. In this paper we estimate corporate-income-tax, sales-tax, property-tax, and personal-income-tax subsidies related to motor-vehicle use. Whereas previous estimates of sales-tax and corporate-income-tax subsidies have been built piecemeal, tax provision by tax provision, we offer an alternative method, based on the difference between actual tax payments of the motor vehicle industry compared to other industries. We estimate that the total “tax subsidy” to motor-vehicle users in the US may be in the range of $19–64 billion (10⁹) per year, or $0.11–0.37 per gallon ($0.03–0.10 per liter) of motor fuel. However, the amount of the subsidy, and hence the magnitude of its effect, depends greatly on the tax baseline with respect to which the subsidy is estimated. (The property-tax subsidy is particularly uncertain.) We emphasize that without doing a full equilibrium analysis, we cannot say how eliminating these subsidies would affect social welfare.     

Tax policy, venture capital, and entrepreneurship

The paper studies the effects of tax policy on venture capital activity. Entrepreneurs pursue a single high risk project each but have no own resources. Financiers provide funds, covering investment cost plus an upfront payment, in exchange for a share in the firm. The contract must include incentives to enlist full effort of entrepreneurs. Venture capitalists also assist with valuable business advice to enhance survival chances. The paper develops a general equilibrium framework with a traditional and an entrepreneurial sector and investigates the effects of taxes on the equilibrium level of managerial advice, entrepreneurship and welfare. It considers differential wage and capital income taxes, a comprehensive income tax, progressive taxation as well as investment and output subsidies to the entrepreneurial sector.