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dc.titleHow Tax Reform Design and Information Shape Compliance: Preliminary Results
dc.contributor.authorBarinas-Forero, Andrés Felipe
dc.contributor.authorBlanco, Mariana
dc.contributor.authorLópez-Luzuriaga, Andrea
dc.contributor.authorScartascini, Carlos
dc.contributor.orgunitDepartment of Research and Chief Economist
dc.date.available2025-08-04T00:08:00
dc.date.issue2025-08-04T00:08:00
dc.description.abstractHow does the pace and sequencing of tax reforms influence taxpayer behavior? We design a laboratory experiment to evaluate how individuals respond to gradual versus abrupt tax increases and whether advance information about these reforms alters compliance. Participants face a multi-period tax schedule in which the statutory rate rises either all at once or in steps. We vary whether individuals are informed from the start about the entire path of tax changes or learn about each change only when it takes effect. While the overall magnitude of evasion does not differ significantly between abrupt and staggered reforms, we find that information plays a critical role: individuals with advance knowledge report significantly more income than those without. These findings highlight the importance of transparency and communication in the design of tax policy, particularly when compliance relies on voluntary reporting and enforcement is imperfect.
dc.format.extent37
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0013635
dc.identifier.urlhttps://publications.iadb.org/publications/english/document/How-Tax-Reform-Design-and-Information-Shape-Compliance-Preliminary-Results.pdf
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInter-American Development Bank
dc.subjectTax Evasion
dc.subjectTax Rate
dc.subjectTaxation
dc.subjectRating
dc.subjectAuditing
dc.subjectPolicy Making
dc.subjectTax Reform
dc.subjectTax Compliance
dc.subjectTrust
dc.subjectPopulation Aging
dc.subject.jelcodeH21 - Efficiency • Optimal Taxation
dc.subject.jelcodeH26 - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
dc.subject.jelcodeC91 - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
dc.subject.keywordsFiscal Reform;Laboratory Experiment
dc.typeDiscussion Papers
idb.identifier.pubnumberIDB-DP-01097
idb.operationRG-K1199
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