11.04.2014 Views

Public Economics Lectures Part 1: Introduction

Public Economics Lectures Part 1: Introduction

Public Economics Lectures Part 1: Introduction

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Key Concepts for Taxes/Transfers<br />

Let T (z) denote tax liability as a function of earnings z<br />

1 Transfer benefit with zero earnings −T (0) [sometimes called<br />

demogrant or lumpsum grant]<br />

2 Marginal tax rate T ′ (z): individual keeps 1 − T ′ (z) for an additional<br />

$1 of earnings (relevant for intensive margin labor supply responses)<br />

3 <strong>Part</strong>icipation tax rate τ p = [T (z) − T (0)]/z: individual keeps<br />

fraction 1 − τ p of earnings when moving from zero earnings to<br />

earnings z:<br />

z − T (z) = −T (0) + z − [T (z) − T (0)] = −T (0) + z · (1 − τ p )<br />

Relevant for extensive margin labor supply responses<br />

4 Break-even earnings point z ∗ : point at which T (z ∗ ) = 0<br />

<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Economics</strong> <strong>Lectures</strong> () <strong>Part</strong> 4: Optimal Taxation 52 / 121

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!