Tax mimicking , local business tax , social learning , institutions , tax competition , fiscal equalization schemes
Abstract:
This paper exploits detailed information on local political and socioeconomic networks and a reform of local fiscal equalization in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW)to identify the role of learning in local tax rate interactions. Using this policy change
in spatial lag IV regressions, we find that institutions like counties and jointly used
administrations yield significant positive tax interactions whereas geographical neighbors
do not react to each other. Common local media trigger tax policy interactions as well. Short-lived reform effects support our findings that social learning within certain networks intensifies tax rate interactions via coordination of local decision makers.
Das Dokument wird vom Publikationsserver der Universitätsbibliothek Mannheim bereitgestellt.