New Theory Simplifies Optimal Capital Taxation, Could Shape Future Policy
The article presents a new theory on how to tax capital optimally. The researchers use a simple model with different wealth preferences to find formulas for the best tax rates. They show that these formulas can be applied to real data, like U.S. tax returns, to calculate the ideal taxes on labor and capital incomes. The study also extends these findings to cases with different consumption preferences, showing that the same formulas can be used with some adjustments.