The Effect of State Taxes on the Geographical Location of Top Earners: Evidence from Star Scientists

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2017
Volume: 107
Issue: 7
Pages: 1858-1903

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We quantify how sensitive is migration by star scientists to changes in personal and business tax differentials across states. We uncover large, stable, and precisely estimated effects of personal and corporate taxes on star scientists' migration patterns. The long-run elasticity of mobility relative to taxes is 1.8 for personal income taxes, 1.9 for state corporate income tax, and —1.7 for the investment tax credit. While there are many other factors that drive when innovative individuals and innovative companies decide to locate, there are enough firms and workers on the margin that state taxes matter.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:107:y:2017:i:7:p:1858-1903
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-26