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Sales Taxes and Internet Commerce

Author

Listed:
  • Liran Einav

    (Stanford University)

  • Jonathan Levin

    (Stanford University)

  • Neel Sundaresan

    (Ebay)

Abstract
We estimate the sensitivity of Internet retail purchasing to sales taxes using data from the eBay marketplace. Our Örst approach exploits the fact that seller locations are revealed only after buyers have expressed interest in an item by clicking on its listing. We use millions of location surprises to estimate price elasticities with respect to the e§ective sales tax. We then use aggregated data to estimate cross-state substitution parameters, and substitution between o­ ine and online purchases, relying on the variation in state and local sales taxes, and on changes in these rates over time. We Önd substantial sensitivity to sales taxes. Using our item-level approach, we Önd a price elasticity of around -2 for interested buyers. Using our aggregate approach, we Önd that a one percentage point increase in a stateís sales tax increases online purchases by state residents by just under two percent, but decreases their online purchases from home-state retailers by 3-4 percent.

Suggested Citation

  • Liran Einav & Jonathan Levin & Neel Sundaresan, 2012. "Sales Taxes and Internet Commerce," Discussion Papers 11-012, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.
    • Handle: RePEc:sip:dpaper:11-012
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael Dinerstein & Liran Einav & Jonathan Levin & Neel Sundaresan, 2018. "Consumer Price Search and Platform Design in Internet Commerce," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(7), pages 1820-1859, July.
    2. Raj Chetty & Adam Looney & Kory Kroft, 2009. "Salience and Taxation: Theory and Evidence," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 99(4), pages 1145-1177, September.
    3. James Alm & Mikhail I. Melnik, 2005. "Sales Taxes and the Decision to Purchase Online," Public Finance Review, , vol. 33(2), pages 184-212, March.
    4. Liran Einav & Theresa Kuchler & Jonathan Levin & Neel Sundaresan, 2011. "Learning from Seller Experiements in Online Markets," Discussion Papers 10-033, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.
    5. Austan Goolsbee & Michael F. Lovenheim & Joel Slemrod, 2010. "Playing with Fire: Cigarettes, Taxes, and Competition from the Internet," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 2(1), pages 131-154, February.
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    9. Mark A. Scanlan, 2007. "Tax Sensitivity in Electronic Commerce," Fiscal Studies, Institute for Fiscal Studies, vol. 28(4), pages 417-436, December.
    10. Ballard, Charles L. & Lee, Jaimin, 2007. "Internet Purchases, Cross-Border Shopping, and Sales Taxes," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 60(4), pages 711-725, December.
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    13. Raj Chetty, 2009. "The Simple Economics of Salience and Taxation," NBER Working Papers 15246, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H71 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue
    • L81 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce

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