07/07/2022

JRC B2 Seminar: “Public support for tax policies in COVID-19 times: Evidence from Luxembourg” – Javier Oliveira

Xoves 7 de Xullo ás 10:00 H (CEST)

Joint work with Philippe Van Kerm

SEMINARIO ONLINE: Link

  • Código de acceso no ordenador: hkBexP8r58$
  • Código de acceso telefónico: 45239787

 

Abstract

We study attitudes towards the introduction of hypothetical new taxes to finance the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic. We rely on survey data collected in Luxembourg in 2020. The survey asks for the agreement of respondents over: a one-time net wealth tax, an inheritance tax, a temporary solidarity income tax, and a temporary increase in VAT. All questions include different and randomly assigned tax attributes (tax rates and exemption amounts). We find a clear divide with relatively high support for new wealth and inheritance taxes on the one hand and a low support for increases in VAT and income taxes on the other hand. While 58% of respondents agree or strongly agree with a one-time tax levied on net worth, only 24% are in favor of a small increase in VAT. Support for any tax is however negatively associated with the size of the tax as measured by the predicted revenues. Our results indicate that a one-time wealth tax could raise substantial revenues and still garner public support.

Speaker

Javier Olivera is a researcher in the department of living conditions at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) and full professor of economics at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP). He is also affiliated to the department of economics at KU Leuven. Before his academic career he worked in the public sector, advising policy in Peru. His research interests include public economics, socio-economic inequality, pensions, attitudes towards redistribution and taxation, intergenerational transfers, old age and economic demography.

Abstract

We study attitudes towards the introduction of hypothetical new taxes to finance the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic. We rely on survey data collected in Luxembourg in 2020. The survey asks for the agreement of respondents over: a one-time net wealth tax, an inheritance tax, a temporary solidarity income tax, and a temporary increase in VAT. All questions include different and randomly assigned tax attributes (tax rates and exemption amounts). We find a clear divide with relatively high support for new wealth and inheritance taxes on the one hand and a low support for increases in VAT and income taxes on the other hand. While 58% of respondents agree or strongly agree with a one-time tax levied on net worth, only 24% are in favor of a small increase in VAT. Support for any tax is however negatively associated with the size of the tax as measured by the predicted revenues. Our results indicate that a one-time wealth tax could raise substantial revenues and still garner public support.

Speaker

Javier Olivera is a researcher in the department of living conditions at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) and full professor of economics at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru (PUCP). He is also affiliated to the department of economics at KU Leuven. Before his academic career he worked in the public sector, advising policy in Peru. His research interests include public economics, socio-economic inequality, pensions, attitudes towards redistribution and taxation, intergenerational transfers, old age and economic demography.