On the optimality of joint taxation for noncooperative couples

B-Tier
Journal: Labour Economics
Year: 2012
Volume: 19
Issue: 4
Pages: 633-641

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We present a noncooperative model of a family's time allocation between work and a home-produced public good, and examine whether the income tax should apply to couples or individuals. While tax-induced labor supply distortions lead to overprovision of the public good, spouses' failure to internalize the collective effect of their choices points towards underprovision. A large parameter range exists for which a move from individual to joint taxation improves the welfare of both spouses. The source of Pareto-improvement consists in moving the level of the public good closer to its first-best, while an adjustment of intra-family transfers compensates the secondary earner for the increased tax load.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:labeco:v:19:y:2012:i:4:p:633-641
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-26