The End of Bank Secrecy: Implications for Redistribution and Optimal Taxation

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningfagfællebedømt

This paper argues that the ability to enforce taxes on offshore income may shape the redistributional properties of the tax system through two channels. First, it mechanically raises tax progressivity for given parameters of the tax system because high-income taxpayers own most of the offshore wealth. In the US, recent comprehensive reporting by offshore banks suggests the mechanical increase in average tax rates may be around 1.5 percentage points for the top 0.01 per cent and virtually zero below the top 1 per cent. Second, it may further raise tax progressivity by changing the trade-offs underlying optimal taxation in favour of higher taxation of top incomes.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftOxford Review of Economic Policy
Vol/bind39
Udgave nummer3
Sider (fra-til)565-574
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2023

ID: 372532485