Difference between revisions of "Laffer curve"
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The '''Laffer curve''' is a graphical representation of tax revenue as a function of the tax rate. It is named after [[Arthur Laffer]], an influential economist behind the tax cuts of President [[Ronald Reagan]]. | The '''Laffer curve''' is a graphical representation of tax revenue as a function of the tax rate. It is named after [[Arthur Laffer]], an influential economist behind the tax cuts of President [[Ronald Reagan]]. | ||
| + | The Laffer curve is generally a theoretical exercise in the effects of taxation either on the populace or upon the expected yield of tax receipts. The related concept of [[Hauser's law]] attempts to average data over a decades-long period and determine the maximum number. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Background== | ||
The Laffer curve shows that tax revenue is zero when the tax rate is zero percent, but that tax revenue also falls to zero when the tax rate reaches 100 percent, as people increasingly shift to nontaxable income, tax shelters, tax evasion, and leisure. At some tax rate between zero and 100 percent, the government collects maximum tax revenue. For a government that seeks to maximize tax revenue, this is the optimum tax rate. When the tax rate is below the optimum, the government can increase tax revenue by increasing the tax rate; but when the tax rate is above the optimum, the government can increase tax revenue only by decreasing the tax rate. This is a specific application of the general economic principle of changing marginal rates of substitution, in this case, of the substitution for alternatives to earning taxable income. | The Laffer curve shows that tax revenue is zero when the tax rate is zero percent, but that tax revenue also falls to zero when the tax rate reaches 100 percent, as people increasingly shift to nontaxable income, tax shelters, tax evasion, and leisure. At some tax rate between zero and 100 percent, the government collects maximum tax revenue. For a government that seeks to maximize tax revenue, this is the optimum tax rate. When the tax rate is below the optimum, the government can increase tax revenue by increasing the tax rate; but when the tax rate is above the optimum, the government can increase tax revenue only by decreasing the tax rate. This is a specific application of the general economic principle of changing marginal rates of substitution, in this case, of the substitution for alternatives to earning taxable income. | ||
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{{cquote|In short, it is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high today and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now.<ref>James L. Sundquist, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=CeqOAdn-LEgC Politics and Policy: the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson Years]'' (Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 1968) ISBN 0815782225, p. 44; video: [http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset+Tree/Asset+Viewers/Audio+Video+Asset+Viewer.htm?guid={A138FFB8-5B6A-4C6A-A8CC-70C6E4FF39DA}&type=Audio%20%29%29 Address at the Economic Club of New York, December 14, 1962], John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum</ref>}} | {{cquote|In short, it is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high today and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now.<ref>James L. Sundquist, ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=CeqOAdn-LEgC Politics and Policy: the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson Years]'' (Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 1968) ISBN 0815782225, p. 44; video: [http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset+Tree/Asset+Viewers/Audio+Video+Asset+Viewer.htm?guid={A138FFB8-5B6A-4C6A-A8CC-70C6E4FF39DA}&type=Audio%20%29%29 Address at the Economic Club of New York, December 14, 1962], John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum</ref>}} | ||
| + | ==Analysis== | ||
Few economists dispute the general principle of the Laffer curve, although the optimum tax rate itself is a matter of controversy. In the Reagan era, tax cuts led to a near doubling of federal tax receipts ($500 billion to $900 billion), an effect attributed to the Laffer curve.<ref>[http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-261.html Supply Tax Cuts and the Truth About the Reagan Economic Record], by William A. Niskanen and Stephen Moore, Cato Policy Analysis No. 261 October 22, 1996.</ref> However, some dispute this,<ref>Blanchard, O. ''Macroeconomics, 4th edition''. 2003, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall (p. 430-431, 500)</ref> claiming that the increased revenue can be at least partly attributed to a policy of [[deficit spending]]. | Few economists dispute the general principle of the Laffer curve, although the optimum tax rate itself is a matter of controversy. In the Reagan era, tax cuts led to a near doubling of federal tax receipts ($500 billion to $900 billion), an effect attributed to the Laffer curve.<ref>[http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-261.html Supply Tax Cuts and the Truth About the Reagan Economic Record], by William A. Niskanen and Stephen Moore, Cato Policy Analysis No. 261 October 22, 1996.</ref> However, some dispute this,<ref>Blanchard, O. ''Macroeconomics, 4th edition''. 2003, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall (p. 430-431, 500)</ref> claiming that the increased revenue can be at least partly attributed to a policy of [[deficit spending]]. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | + | {{reflist|1}} | |
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[[Category:Economics]] | [[Category:Economics]] | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://biggovernment.com/dmitchell/2010/08/19/taxation-whats-the-ideal-point-on-the-laffer-curve/ Taxation: What’s the Ideal Point on the Laffer Curve?] | * [http://biggovernment.com/dmitchell/2010/08/19/taxation-whats-the-ideal-point-on-the-laffer-curve/ Taxation: What’s the Ideal Point on the Laffer Curve?] | ||
Revision as of 02:39, August 4, 2018
The Laffer curve is a graphical representation of tax revenue as a function of the tax rate. It is named after Arthur Laffer, an influential economist behind the tax cuts of President Ronald Reagan.
The Laffer curve is generally a theoretical exercise in the effects of taxation either on the populace or upon the expected yield of tax receipts. The related concept of Hauser's law attempts to average data over a decades-long period and determine the maximum number.
Background
The Laffer curve shows that tax revenue is zero when the tax rate is zero percent, but that tax revenue also falls to zero when the tax rate reaches 100 percent, as people increasingly shift to nontaxable income, tax shelters, tax evasion, and leisure. At some tax rate between zero and 100 percent, the government collects maximum tax revenue. For a government that seeks to maximize tax revenue, this is the optimum tax rate. When the tax rate is below the optimum, the government can increase tax revenue by increasing the tax rate; but when the tax rate is above the optimum, the government can increase tax revenue only by decreasing the tax rate. This is a specific application of the general economic principle of changing marginal rates of substitution, in this case, of the substitution for alternatives to earning taxable income.
President John F. Kennedy explained the principle behind the Laffer curve in his address to the Economic Club of New York on December 14, 1962:
| “ | In short, it is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high today and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now.[1] | ” |
Analysis
Few economists dispute the general principle of the Laffer curve, although the optimum tax rate itself is a matter of controversy. In the Reagan era, tax cuts led to a near doubling of federal tax receipts ($500 billion to $900 billion), an effect attributed to the Laffer curve.[2] However, some dispute this,[3] claiming that the increased revenue can be at least partly attributed to a policy of deficit spending.
References
- ↑ James L. Sundquist, Politics and Policy: the Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson Years (Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press, 1968) ISBN 0815782225, p. 44; video: Address at the Economic Club of New York, December 14, 1962, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
- ↑ Supply Tax Cuts and the Truth About the Reagan Economic Record, by William A. Niskanen and Stephen Moore, Cato Policy Analysis No. 261 October 22, 1996.
- ↑ Blanchard, O. Macroeconomics, 4th edition. 2003, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall (p. 430-431, 500)
