We analyze the incidence of ad valorem and unit excise taxes in an oligopolistic industry with differentiated products and price-setting (Bertrand) firms. Both taxes may be passed on to consumers by more than 100 percent, and an increase in the tax rate can increase short run firm profits (and...

This paper analyzes the incidence of ad valorem and unit excise taxes under imperfect competition with differentiated products and price-setting (Bertrand) firms. Both taxes may be overshifted onto consumers, and a higher tax rate can increase short run firm profits (and hence the long run...

In a vertically differentiated durable goods duopoly, prices tend to decline over time because the high-quality manufacturer's future product may compete more directly with the other firm's present product than with its own. This removes the standard reason not to cut prices (Stokey, 1979)....