Policy makers and researchers have traditionally relied on information reported on estate tax returns in their analyses of the transfers by the wealthy. Reflecting the uniqueness of the reporting requirements, information such as that on bequests and estate tax liabilities are reported on an...

This paper explores the behavioral response of taxable bequests to estate taxation. To gauge its effects, the estate tax is converted to an equivalent income tax. This highlights the importance of expected rates of return, and also makes it possible to compare effective tax rates on saving over...

This paper investigates the role of governance, in particular tax related bribes, in shaping business tax compliance behavior. The empirical results show that business noncompliance rises with corruption. More specifically, the findings from 27 transition economies suggest that tax evasion...

Shareholder wealth may be maximized by borrowing, as it is tax preferred, or by under reporting firm profits; both shield income from taxation, legally in the case of the former. But does the utilization of one shield crowd out the use of the other? More specifically, does tax evasion lead to...

The primary finding of this paper is that the off-budget activity of the public sector is significantly and positively related to on-budget activity by state and local governments. We suggest the following policy implications. One, there appears to be evidence that the composition of total...

Charitable bequests are an important source of philanthropic support. Unlike bequests to children, which can be taxed at a maximum statutory rate of 0.55, such transfers are exempt from estate taxation. Thus, by lowering the price of charitable giving, the estate tax may influence the...

This paper provides insight into the attributes of wage-earning households that participate in tax-deferred retirement savings plans. Examining data from federal tax returns, we find that approximately 52 percent of individuals and 55 percent of households participated in a retirement savings...

Life insurance proceeds are generally subject to the estate tax. An exception is when the policy is owned by the beneficiaries and the insured gives up ownership and control, including the ability to change beneficiaries. Should the insured strategically own the policy contract and potentially...