Understanding the Inequality and Welfare Impacts of Carbon Tax Policies

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists
Year: 2024
Volume: 11
Issue: S1
Pages: S231 - S260

Authors (3)

Stephie Fried (not in RePEc) Kevin Novan (not in RePEc) William B. Peterman (Federal Reserve Board (Board o...)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

This study develops a general equilibrium life-cycle model to explore the welfare and inequality implications of different ways to return carbon tax revenue back to households. We find that the welfare-maximizing rebate uses two-thirds of carbon-tax revenue to reduce the distortionary tax on capital income while using the remaining one-third to increase the progressivity of the labor income tax. This recycling approach attains higher welfare and more equality than the lump-sum rebate approach preferred by policymakers as well as the approach originally prescribed by economists—which called exclusively for reductions in distortionary taxes.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jaerec:doi:10.1086/732842
Journal Field
Environment
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29