The use of third-party information reporting for tax deductions: evidence and implications from charitable deductions in Denmark

C-Tier
Journal: Oxford Economic Papers
Year: 2018
Volume: 70
Issue: 3
Pages: 892-916

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 0.5x C-tier

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

Abstract

We show that the introduction of information reporting for charitable tax deductions in Denmark in 2008 was associated with a doubling in the number of deductions claimed, and a 15% rise in the total value of claims, which can be credibly attributed to previously unclaimed deductions. This contradicts the presumption that evasion is the main source of non-compliance for deductions, and that the use of information reporting raises revenue collections. A pre-reform randomized audit experiment did not detect the unclaimed deductions, implying audits overstate evasion relative to extensive-margin underreporting. Various tests suggest that compliance cost, passive choice and overwithholding suppressed self-reporting of deductions.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:oxecpp:v:70:y:2018:i:3:p:892-916.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29