Tax-limited reaction functions

Abstract

This paper models for the first time a spatial process in local tax policies in the presence of centrally imposed fiscal limitations. Focusing on the frequently encountered case of a tax rate cap, we evaluate three empirical approaches to the analysis of spatially dependent limited tax policies: (i) a Bayesian spatial approach for censored dependent variables; (ii) a Tobit corner solution model augmented with a spatial lag; (iii) a spatial discrete hazard model. The evidence arising from an investigation of severely state-constrained local vehicle taxes in Italy suggests that ignoring tax limitations can lead to substantial underestimation of inter-jurisdictional fiscal interaction. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.