Maliye Çalışmaları Dergisi (Nov 2023)
The Effect of Indirect Taxes on Income Distribution: An Empirical Analysis of Türkiye
Abstract
Tax policies are one of the governmental tools used for economic intervention to prevent income inequality. The percentage of total tax revenues comprised of indirect taxes has risen in developing countries such as Türkiye since the 1980s. The effect this development has had on income inequality, which was already high, has attracted great attention recently. The aim of this study is to examine the effect indirect taxes have on income distribution in the Turkish economy. The study seeks an answer to the question of whether or not indirect taxes have an effect on income distribution. The study additionally researches the effects indirect taxes have on growth, which has provided a theoretical foundation in favor of indirect taxes. To do this, the study adopts long-term and short-term estimation methods. ARDL bounds test approach to examine how indirect and direct taxes have affected income inequality and economic growth in Türkiye over the 1992-2021 period. The study only looks at indirect taxes comprised from the value-added tax (VAT) and tariffs due to the data adequacy requirements for empirical tests. According to the study’s long-term forecast results, an increase in inflation rate leads to a rise in inequality and a decrease in economic growth. An increase in direct taxes is associated with a reduction in inequality with no statistically significant effect on economic expansion. In contrast, an increase in indirect taxes was found to increase both inequality and economic growth. Increases in customs duties contribute to both a reduction in inequality and a boost in economic growth. Furthermore, an increase in the VAT rate was identified to have negative effects on both income inequality and economic growth. Lastly, an increase in the budget deficit has been linked to an increase in income inequality with no statistically significant impact on economic growth.
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