Discussion Papers
The End of the Flat Tax Experiment in Slovakia
The End of the Flat Tax Experiment in Slovakia
Authors:
Švarda, N.
,
Senaj, M.
,
Horváth, M.
and
Siebertová, Z.
Published: October 2015
Keywords:
flat tax, microsimulation, general equilibrium, search and matching, labour supply elasticity
JEL classification:
E24, H24, H31, J22
Abstract:
The paper provides a quantitative assessment of the consequences of departing from a flat-tax system in the context of Slovakia. A behavioural microsimulation model of the labour supply is embedded into a general equilibrium framework with search and matching frictions. Some recently implemented changes in the tax system leave aggregate labour market indicators as well as inequality measures virtually unaffected. We also examine hypothetical revenue-neutral reforms that would significantly increase the progressivity of the system through graduated marginal tax rates. We find that there are narrow limits to what policy makers could accomplish through such reforms in terms of employment and equality of income. Hence, an income tax reform should at best be seen as a complementary tool to other initiatives promoting such objectives. Moreover, we highlight an important trade-off: income tax reforms that promote employment may harm growth.
