A Cross-Country Analysis of the Tax-Push Hypothesis

Author/Editor:

Fiorella Padoa-Schioppa

Publication Date:

February 1, 1992

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper presents a microeconomic theoretical model of union optimizing behavior which is then used to test the relevance of the tax-push hypothesis for wage formation in nine Western European countries. Two factors—the compensation and the progressivity effects—are shown by the model to account for the effect (if any) of tax rates on wage formation. A wage equation tested for the period 1960-1988 shows that in general small open economies have negligible compensation and progressivity effects, while in larger economies direct, indirect and social security tax rates are transferred onto the real labor cost. All countries show a weakening of the tax shifting starting at the end of the 1970s or the beginning of the 1980s.

Series:

Working Paper No. 1992/011

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

February 1, 1992

ISBN/ISSN:

9781451925944/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA0111992

Pages:

58

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