nep-iue New Economics Papers
on Informal and Underground Economics
Issue of 2024‒09‒23
four papers chosen by
Catalina Granda Carvajal, Banco de la República


  1. Crypto Tax Evasion By Tom G. Meling; Magne Mogstad; Arnstein Vestre
  2. The optimal choice of after-tax and pre-tax performance measures in the presence of tax base risks By Schöndube, Jens Robert; Spaeth, Alexandra
  3. Digital Transformation of Tax Administration and Compliance: A Systematic Literature Review on E-Invoicing and Prefilled Returns By Siamand Hesami; Hatice Jenkins; Glenn P. Jenkins
  4. Dual Credit Markets: Income Risk, Household Debt, and Consumption By David A. Matsa; Brian T. Melzer; Michal Zator

  1. By: Tom G. Meling; Magne Mogstad; Arnstein Vestre
    Abstract: We quantify the extent of crypto tax noncompliance and evasion, and assess the efficacy of alternative tax enforcement interventions. The context of the study is Norway. This context allows us to address key measurement challenges by combining de-anonymized crypto trading data with individual tax returns, survey data, and information from tax enforcement interventions. We find that crypto tax noncompliance is pervasive, even among investors trading on exchanges that share identifiable trading data with tax authorities. However, since most crypto investors owe little in crypto-related taxes, enforcement strategies need to be well-targeted or cheap for benefits to outweigh costs.
    JEL: G5 H2
    Date: 2024–08
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32865
  2. By: Schöndube, Jens Robert; Spaeth, Alexandra
    Abstract: In practice, both pre- and after-tax performance measures are used to incentivize managers. In this paper, we analyze the optimality of these performance measures in an agency setting, assuming that both the principal and the agent face tax base risks. Switching from a pre-tax to an after-tax measure introduces a risk effect, including an additional variance and a covariance effect, both of which stem from the principal's tax base risk. We show that the after-tax measure is the optimal performance measure if and only if the negative covariance effect dominates the variance effect. If the principal can evade taxes, there is a tax evasion effect in addition to the risk effect, which captures the distortion of tax evasion under the after-tax measure. Now, using the after-tax measure is only optimal, if the weighted risk effect is stronger than the tax evasion effect. Tax revenue may not be maximized by using the optimal performance measure if the agent's tax base risk and the firm's cash flow are positively correlated. While the pay-performance sensitivity of the optimal contract is independent of tax avoidance under the pre-tax measure, under the after-tax measure it is decreasing with increasing incentives for sheltering. If tax evasion is possible, lower levels of tax evasion under the after-tax measure result in an increase in tax revenue relative to the pre-tax measure. The results of our study have implications for contract design, tax political actions and tax revenues.
    Keywords: agency theory, performance measures, taxation, tax evasion, tax base risk
    JEL: D86 M41 M48 M52
    Date: 2024–09
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:han:dpaper:dp-727
  3. By: Siamand Hesami (Department of Finance Bournemouth University, UK and Cambridge Resources International(CRI)); Hatice Jenkins (Department of Banking and Finance, Eastern Mediterranean University, Gazimagusa, Turkey); Glenn P. Jenkins (Department of Economics Queen’s University Canada, Cambridge Resources International Inc.and Cyprus International University, North Cyprus)
    Abstract: This paper systematically reviews the impact of electronic invoicing and prefilling tax returns on tax administration and compliance, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. Our comprehensive literature search and analysis reveal that these technologies are crucial in reducing tax compliance and administration costs. The results indicate significant benefits, including reduced financial stress for firms, especially during development phases, and enhanced efficiency in tax administration processes. The study highlights how e-invoicing and prefilling systems simplify and improve the tracking of taxation, leading to increased efficiency in tax practices globally. This research contributes to understanding the transformative effects of digital technologies in taxation, demonstrating their potential in streamlining tax compliance and administrative procedures.
    Keywords: taxation; e-invoicing; prefilling of returns; tax administration; efficiency; compliance; tax technology.
    JEL: H25 H71 O33 M48
    Date: 2024–09–03
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qed:dpaper:4621
  4. By: David A. Matsa; Brian T. Melzer; Michal Zator
    Abstract: Many young employees work on a temporary basis, which entails significantly greater income risk than “permanent” work, even for jobs in the same occupation and at a similar wage. We find that this income uncertainty leads lenders to ration credit to temporary workers, precisely at the stage of life when permanent workers rely on mortgages to invest in housing and loans to smooth consumption and purchase durable goods. Labor laws that improve job security for permanent workers create a dual credit market alongside the dual labor market, making it harder for young adults to establish financial independence and new families.
    JEL: D14 G51 J41 J68 R21
    Date: 2024–08
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32858

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