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The Structure of the Tax System versus the Level of Taxation: An Evaluation of the 1986 Act

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  • J. Gregory Ballentine
Abstract
In this paper, I assess the 1986 Tax Reform Act relative to the tax system that might have evolved over the several years following 1986 had that particular tax reform not been enacted. Had tax reform not been enacted, I believe that the pattern of steady tax increases, particularly corporate tax increases and tax increases on high-income individuals such as occurred in the 1982 and 1984 tax acts would have continued. I also believe that the 1986 Tax Reform Act introduced an income tax system that will be quite stable; broad changes, in particular changes that raise a large amount of income tax revenues, are unlikely for many years. So I am comparing the tax structure of the 1986 Tax Reform Act to a system that, in part, has an inferior structure, but that provides more revenues. Since I believe that the most important tax policy goal in 1986 and later should have been to raise revenues, not to revise the structure of the tax system, I believe that the 1986 Tax Reform Act was harmful. Tax reform not only did not raise revenues, it has made it more difficult to raise revenues in the future, without providing significant offsetting benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Gregory Ballentine, 1992. "The Structure of the Tax System versus the Level of Taxation: An Evaluation of the 1986 Act," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 6(1), pages 59-68, Winter.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:6:y:1992:i:1:p:59-68
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.6.1.59
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    File URL: http://www.aeaweb.org/articles.php?doi=10.1257/jep.6.1.59
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goulder, Lawrence H. & Thalmann, Philippe, 1993. "Approaches to efficient capital taxation : Leveling the playing field vs. living by the golden rule," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 169-196, February.
    2. Gravelle, Jane G., 1989. "Differential Taxation of Capital Income: Another Look at the 1986 Tax Reform Act," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 42(4), pages 441-463, December.
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    5. Gravelle, Jane G., 1989. "Differential Taxation of Capital Income: Another Look at the 1986 Tax Reform Act," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association, vol. 42(4), pages 441-63, December.
    6. Musgrave, Richard A, 1987. "Short of Euphoria," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 1(1), pages 59-71, Summer.
    7. Auerbach, Alan J, 1987. "The Tax Reform Act of 1986 and the Cost of Capital," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 1(1), pages 73-86, Summer.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Haoming Liu & Jie Zhang, 2008. "Donations in a recursive dynamic model," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(2), pages 564-582, May.
    3. Holcombe, Randall G., 1998. "Tax Policy From a Public Choice Perspective," National Tax Journal, National Tax Association;National Tax Journal, vol. 51(2), pages 359-371, June.

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    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General

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