Competing in taxes and investment under fiscal equalization

Competing in Taxes and Investment under Fiscal Equalization

The paper considers a model of a federation with two heterogeneous regions that try to attract the capital by competing in capital income taxes and public investment that enhance the productivity of capital. The regions’ choices determine the allocation of capital across the regions and their revenues under a tax sharing scheme. This framework allows for the examination of different approaches ...

Raising taxes through Equalization∗

A simple theory suggests that a common form of federal horizontal equalization grants should cause subnational governments to levy higher tax rates, distorting local tax bases and so increasing federal transfers. To test this, I examine Canadian provincial tax policies in the 1972-2002 period. Consistent with the theory, provinces respond to expansions of equalization transfers by increasing th...

Taxes, Leverage, and Stimuli of Investment under Uncertainty

This paper examines the effect of leverage on the effectiveness of a self-financed taxsubsidy program offered by a government in stimulating a firm’s investment. We show that the firm, be it levered or unlevered, has an incentive to hasten its investment because of the agency conflicts arising from the commitment made by the government on the terms of the tax-subsidy program. We further show th...

Temporary Immigration, Overstaying and Policy under Zero Taxes and under the Correct Migrants’ Fiscal Impact

Fiscal Federalism and Optimal Income Taxes

In federal countries, such as the United States, state and local governments play an important role. They provide many different types of local public goods and services and are able to tailor the amount and quality of these goods to the preferences of their constituencies. To provide these services, state and local governments must raise tax revenues from their residents using a menu of differ...