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Tax Competition in a Simple Model with Heterogeneous Firms: How Larger Markets Reduce Profit Taxes

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Haufler
  • Frank Stähler
Abstract
An important puzzle in corporate taxation is that effective tax rates have fallen significantly while tax revenue has simultaneously risen in most countries. Moreover, the gross profitability of firms seems to be lower in high-tax countries, even though standard models of international investment would yield the opposite conclusion. We offer an explanation for these stylized facts by setting up a simple two-country model of tax competition with heterogeneous firms. In this model a unique, asymmetric Nash equilibrium can be shown to exist, provided that countries are sufficiently different with respect to their exogenous market conditions. In equilibrium the larger country levies the higher tax rate and attracts the high-cost firms. A simultaneous expansion of both markets intensifies tax competition and causes both countries to reduce their tax rates, despite higher corporate tax bases.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Haufler & Frank Stähler, 2009. "Tax Competition in a Simple Model with Heterogeneous Firms: How Larger Markets Reduce Profit Taxes," CESifo Working Paper Series 2867, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_2867
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    tax competition; heterogeneous firms; imperfect competition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H73 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Interjurisdictional Differentials and Their Effects

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