The Optimal Turnover Threshold and Tax Rate for SMEs

Author/Editor:

Feng Wei ; Jean-François Wen

Publication Date:

May 7, 2019

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary:

Presumptive income taxes in the form of a tax on turnover for SMEs are pervasive as a way to reduce the costs of compliance and administration. We analyze a model where entrepreneurs allocate labor to the formal and informal sectors. Formal sector income is subjected either to a corporate income tax or a tax on turnover, depending on whether their turnover exceeds a threshold. We characterize the private sector equilibrium for any given configuration of tax policy parameters (corporate income tax rate, turnover tax rate, and threshold). Given private behavior, social welfare is optimized. We interpret the first-order conditions for welfare maximization to identify the key margins and then simulate a calibrated version of the model.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2019/098

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

May 7, 2019

ISBN/ISSN:

9781498312295/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2019098

Pages:

34

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org