Using data from the Michigan Panel Study of Income Dynamics and from Federal Estate Tax returns, this paper investigates the labor disincentive caused by inheritance. The results are of interest for several reasons. Whether or not inheritances are a strong labor disincentive figures prominently...

This paper estimates economic models of the determinants of state benefit levels in the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program using 1969–1992 data. These models have been extensively researched; however, the existing literature has produced an unacceptably wide range of...

This study theoretically and empirically examines altruistic and joy-of-giving motivations underlying contributions to charitable activities. The theoretical analysis shows that in an economy with an infinitely large number of donors, impurely altruistic preferences lead to either asymptotically...

Uses state-level data (1988-91) to analyze the effects of income and tax policy on private giving to international relief and development organizations. Finds that this type of charitable giving is sensitive to change in both income and tax rates.

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...

Examines the effects of the estate tax on charitable bequests using estate tax records for decedents in 1986 filed during the years 1986-1988. Focuses on the pattern of aggregate charitable bequests, bequests to six categories of charitable organizations, as well as the effect of the estate tax...

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...