DP1378 On the Ineffectiveness of Tax Policy in Altering Long- Run Growth: Harberger's Superneutrality Conjecture

Author(s):	Patrick Asea, Enrique G Mendoza, Gian Maria Milesi-Ferretti
Publication Date:	April 1996
Keyword(s):	Endogenous Growth, Private Investment, Tax Rate Estimates, Tax Structure
JEL(s):	E6, E62, O4, O5
Programme Areas:	International Macroeconomics
Link to this Page:	cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=1378

Harberger?s superneutrality conjecture contends that, although in theory the mix of direct and indirect taxes affects investment and growth, in practice tax policy is ineffective as an instrument to promote growth. This paper provides evidence to support this view by examining the predictions of endogenous growth models driven by human capital accumulation. The empirical work is based on numerical simulations and cross-country regressions, using a new methodology for constructing aggregate effective tax rates. Results show significant investment effects from taxes that are consistent with negligible growth effects. The results are robust to the introduction of other growth determinants.