Journal Article
No. 2013-6 | February 20, 2013
Henrik Vetter
Indirect Taxation of Monopolists: A Tax on Price

Abstract

A digressive tax such as a variable rate sales tax or a tax on price gives firms an incentive for expanding output. Thus, unlike unit and ad valorem taxes which amplify the harm from monopoly, a digressive tax lessens the harm. We analyse a tax on price with respect to efficiency and practical policy appeal. In particular, we show how tax reforms based only on observation of price and quantity can make use of a tax on price in order to improve welfare. That is, it is practical to use a tax on price. The argument extends to fixed-number homogenous oligopoly.

JEL Classification:

H21, L13

Links

Cite As

Henrik Vetter (2013). Indirect Taxation of Monopolists: A Tax on Price. Economics: The Open-Access, Open-Assessment E-Journal, 7 (2013-6): 1–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.5018/economics-ejournal.ja.2013-6