21 Taxes, Social Insurance, and Income Distribution Addressing externalities Providing public goods, maintaining common resources Taxes, poverty, & income redistribution Public Policy Chpt 19 Chpt 20 Chpt 21
Quantity (100s) Price ($) Producer and Consumer Surplus Efficient if there are no market failures.
Quantity (100s) Price ($) Excise Tax $3 An excise tax creates deadweight loss (inefficiency). Price: Quantity:
Quantity (100s) Price ($) If demand is more elastic… Excise Tax
Quantity (100s) Price ($) $3 … smaller price change but greater deadweight loss Excise Tax Price: Quantity:
Equity in Taxes Benefits Principle Ability-to-Pay Principle Quintile Average family income Average tax rate Lowest$14,9005.4% Highest$182, % Federal Taxes
Equity vs. Efficiency Rent control Lump-sum tax vs. Property tax Free parking at Regis Income tax? Do high marginal tax rates discourage productive activity?
Progressive & Regressive Taxes Income ($000s) Taxes ($000s) Average tax rate: Marginal tax rate: Average tax rate: Marginal tax rate:
Income ($000s) Taxes ($000s) Average tax rate: Marginal tax rate: Average tax rate: Marginal tax rate: Progressive & Regressive Taxes