The Elasticity of Taxable Income

Theory and Estimation. This timely book analyses the elasticity of taxable income, a central concept in public finance with a rapidly growing wealth of literature. Combining original empirical research with rigorous theoretical modelling of tax revenue and optimal tax policy, this innovative study examines the complexities and new methods of estimating the elasticity of taxable income.

Clarifying the role of the elasticity of taxable income in influencing total tax revenue in a complex multi-rate structure, John Creedy divides the change in revenue into various components to derive revenue-maximising rates. He examines the welfare effects and ‘excess burden’ of income taxation, and considers the role of the elasticity in ‘optimal’ tax rates and administrative policy aiming to reduce tax evasion. The book concludes with a discussion concerning the problems and various methods of elasticity estimation, including regression and bunching.

With detailed illustrations to expand and engage, this will prove an invaluable read for students and scholars of economics, particularly those focusing on the economics of taxation and tax policy. The empirical analyses and practical insights will also benefit public sector economists and policy analysts concerned with tax design.