Abstract:
In this paper, we conduct a theoretical analysis of personal taxes (defined to include consumption and income taxes), describe and evaluate the past and present structure of personal taxes in Japan, and based on our findings, make a number of policy recommendations about how to reform personal taxes in Japan. We find that the structure of Japan's current consumption and income taxes is problematic from the viewpoints of both efficiency and equity and propose a reform package that improves both the efficiency and equity of Japan's personal taxes and, at the same time, achieves fiscal reconstruction.
Subjects:
consumption
consumption tax
Corlett and Hague
countercyclical policy
economic stimulus
efficiency
equity
excess burden
fiscal reconstruction
fiscal reform
government debt
imputed rent
income tax
inverse elasticity rule
Japan
Japanese economy
labor supply
leisure
luxury goods
necessities
optimal taxation
personal taxes
primary balance
progressivity
Ramsey
regressivity
saving
tax reform