This paper uses extensive Finnish panel data from 1995?2007 to analyze the elasticity of taxable income (ETI). I use individual changes in flat municipal income tax rates as an instrument for the overall changes in marginal tax rates. This instrument is not a function of individual income, which...

This paper analyses the implications of a non-linear dividend tax in a life-cycle model of the firm. In the model new firms first enter markets, then grow, financing from retained earnings and finally distribute their profits in the steady state. We find that under a non-linear tax the owners...

Previous literature shows that income taxation significantly affects the behavior of high-income earners and business owners. However, it is still unclear how much of the response is due to changes in effort and other real economic activity, and how much is caused by tax avoidance and tax...

Based on existing evidence, we know little about how the taxation of small business owners affects their economic activity. This paper studies the effect of two Finnish tax reforms, in 1997 and 1998, on the effort decisions of the owners of small businesses, utilizing both theoretical model and...

This paper studies empirically savers? behavioral responses to the Finnish tax reform of 2005 by using comprehensive panel data. The tax schedule of voluntary pension savings changed from progressive to proportional, changing the saving incentives in different subgroups. The results indicate...

Abstract In this study we examine the effect of church tax on the church membership decision using Finnish data. We present both descriptive statistics from an opting-out website and econometric evidence exploiting the panel structure of a large individual-level data set. Our descriptive...

This report evaluates the tax-benefit reforms in 1996?2001. The Government appointed a working group in 1995 to plan the tax-benefit reforms. The proposals of the group were first implemented in 1997 and all the measures were carried out by 1998. After 1998 the focus has shifted to improve the...

The paper analyses efficiency aspects of a dual income tax system with a higher tax on capital gains than dividends. It argues that apart from the distortions to investments claimed in earlier literature, the system puts even more emphasis in creating incentives for entrepreneurs to participate...